ALD hoodies use heavyweight French terry cotton. The fabric holds up well, but the printed and embroidered details need a bit of attention during washing.

Washing

• Turn inside out before every wash. This keeps the chest and back graphics from rubbing against other clothes in the machine.
• Use cold water only. Hot water breaks down the ink on screenprinted designs and can shrink the cotton over time.
• Wash with similar colors. Cream and light-colored hoodies pick up dye from darker items easily.
• Use a mild detergent. Stay away from anything with bleach or optical brighteners. On cream pieces, bleach turns the fabric yellow instead of cleaning it.
• Skip the fabric softener. It coats the cotton fibers and makes the hoodie lose its weight and texture after a few washes.

Drying

• Tumble dry on low heat or lay the hoodie flat on a clean surface. High heat shrinks French terry noticeably, especially after the first wash.
• Do not wring out by hand. Press the water out gently or roll it in a towel. Wringing stretches the ribbed cuffs and hem.
• Reshape while damp. Pull the cuffs and hem back into shape before the fabric dries. Once it sets, the stretch stays.

Ironing & Steaming

• Steam is safer than ironing. A quick pass with a garment steamer removes wrinkles without putting pressure on the fabric.
• If you iron, avoid the graphics. Direct heat on screenprinted or embroidered areas will crack, melt, or flatten the design. Iron only the plain fabric sections, inside out, on a low setting.

Storage

• Fold and store flat. Hanging heavyweight hoodies on a hanger stretches the shoulders and leaves bumps that are hard to get rid of.
• Keep out of direct sunlight. Cream and colored fabrics fade when left near a window for long periods.

ALD tees and polos use a heavier cotton than most brands. The fabric holds its shape well, but the relaxed fits can stretch if drying is not handled carefully.

Washing

• Turn inside out to protect any front or back prints from friction inside the machine.
• Cold water, gentle cycle. This keeps the cotton from shrinking and the colors from bleeding.
• Wash with like colors. White and cream tees go with whites only. Darks go with darks.
• Avoid overloading the machine. Too many items rubbing together wears down the fabric faster, especially on lighter cotton.

Drying

• Lay flat to dry whenever possible. This is the best way to keep the collar shape and prevent the body from stretching out.
• If using a dryer, low heat only. Remove the shirt while it is still slightly damp and lay it flat for the last bit of drying.
• Never hang a wet cotton tee. The water weight pulls the fabric down and stretches the shoulders and collar.

Ironing

• Iron inside out on low heat. This is especially important for tees with printed logos or graphics.
• For polos, iron the collar flat while the shirt is slightly damp. It holds the shape better that way.

Storage

• Fold, do not hang. Cotton tees stretch on hangers over time. Fold them neatly and stack by color.

ALD sweatpants are built from the same heavyweight French terry as the hoodies. The tapered leg and elasticated cuffs need attention when drying to keep their shape.

Washing

• Turn inside out and tuck any drawstrings inside the waistband before washing. Loose drawstrings tangle with other clothes in the machine.
• Cold water, gentle cycle. Same rule as the hoodies. French terry shrinks in hot water.
• Wash separately from rough fabrics like denim or anything with zippers. The friction pills the soft inner lining over time.

Drying

• Low heat or air dry. High heat tightens the elasticated ankle cuffs and can make them uncomfortably snug.
• Reshape the ankle cuffs while damp. Pull them back to their original width before the fabric dries.
• Do not hang by the waistband. The elastic stretches out. Lay them flat or drape them over a drying rack from the middle.

Ironing

• Generally not needed. French terry sweatpants fall back into shape after wearing. If you must, steam them or iron on low inside out.

Storage

• Fold at the knee and store flat. Rolling is fine too. Do not hang them, the waistband elastic loosens over time on a hanger.

ALD sneakers and New Balance collabs use a mix of suede, leather, and mesh. Each material needs a slightly different approach, so check what your pair is made from before cleaning.

Suede Uppers

• Brush after every wear with a soft suede brush. Brush in one direction to keep the nap looking even.
• Treat stains immediately. Use a suede eraser for dry marks. For wet stains, blot with a dry cloth first, then let it air dry completely before brushing.
• Apply a suede protector spray before wearing them outside for the first time. Reapply every few weeks if you wear them regularly.
• Never machine wash suede. Water warps the material and leaves permanent water marks.

Leather Uppers

• Wipe down with a damp cloth after wearing. For deeper cleaning, use a leather-specific cleaner and a soft cloth.
• Condition the leather once a month if you wear them regularly. This keeps the material soft and prevents cracking along the creases.
• Stuff with paper when not wearing. This holds the shape of the toe box and absorbs moisture from the inside.

Mesh & Fabric Uppers

• Spot clean with cold water and a soft brush. A small amount of mild soap works for tougher marks.
• Air dry only. Never put mesh sneakers in the dryer. The heat warps the sole and loosens the glue holding it together.

Midsoles & Outsoles

• Clean the midsole with a toothbrush and warm soapy water. This works well on white and cream New Balance midsoles that pick up dirt quickly.
• Avoid harsh chemicals like acetone or bleach on any part of the shoe. They strip the finish and discolor the material.

Storage

• Store in a cool, dry place. Humidity breaks down glue and causes yellowing on midsoles faster than anything else.
• Keep them in the box or a dust bag if you are not wearing them for a while. Stuff them with paper to hold the shape.
• Rotate your pairs. Wearing the same sneakers every day compresses the midsole and shortens the life of the shoe.

ALD hats come in cotton canvas, nylon, wool, and GORE-TEX depending on the style. Most are adjustable strapbacks, but some collabs are fitted. None of them belong in a washing machine.

Cleaning

• Spot clean only. Use a damp cloth with a tiny amount of mild soap. Wipe the stained area gently, then wipe again with clean water.
• Do not machine wash. The brim loses its shape in the washer, and fitted caps will never fully recover.
• For sweat stains on the inner band, mix equal parts water and white vinegar, dab it on the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• GORE-TEX hats can handle water on the outer shell. Wipe down with a damp cloth. Avoid using soap directly on the GORE-TEX panels.

Drying

• Air dry only. Place the cap on a round object like a bowl or a ball that matches the head shape so the crown holds its form while it dries.
• Never put a cap in the dryer. Heat warps the brim and shrinks fitted caps permanently.

Storage

• Store on a flat surface or a cap rack. Do not stack heavy items on top. The brim flattens and the crown collapses under weight.
• Keep away from direct sunlight. The front panels fade faster than the sides, leaving uneven color especially on lighter caps.
• Fitted caps hold their shape best stored crown-down on a flat shelf.