A few weeks ago, we posted an article about what different sorts of fabrics are actually made out of (and you can find it here!). This time, we’re telling you all about the best ways to care for them when you put them through the laundry.
Natural fibers:
Cotton. Cotton should be washed in cool water, as heat makes it more susceptible to shrinkage. This goes for the dryer, too—either dry it on a low heat and take it out while still damp, or lay flat or hang to dry. It will preserve both the color and the size! It’s fine to use regular bleach on all-white clothing, but stick to color-safe bleach with everything else. And make sure to never use fabric softener with cotton, as the softener will coat the fibers and reduce its ability to “breathe.” Cotton is already quite soft, and the fabric softener will do more harm than good. You can iron cotton (go medium temperature on slightly damp clothes), but do it on the inside of the garment.
Silk. It’s best to stick with dry cleaning or hand washing for silks. To hand-wash, use warm water and a small amount of mild detergent. Scrub gently, but don’t let the fabric soak for longer than a few minutes, as it will begin to fade and discolor. If your silk is suffering from a matte finish, that usually means the alkali in the fabric is out-of-balance. Swirl the fabric in water with a few tablespoons of white vinegar, then rinse in cool water.
Synthetic fibers:
Polyester. This fabric is easy to care for; it can be washed and dried in your machine, and benefits from fabric softener. Do make sure that, when using the dryer or an iron, you keep the heat setting medium to low.
Nylon. Wash nylon materials in warm water unless there are stains, in which case, treat the stain first and then wash in cold water. To prevent static, use a dryer sheet or fabric softener, dry at a low temperature, and remove promptly.
Spandex. Whenever possible, wash spandex by hand in warm water with a mild detergent. Try not to wring ?the fabric to get the water out; instead squeeze gently and let air dry on a hanger or flat surface. Avoid putting it in the dryer unless the heat setting is very low, and avoid ironing unless you can press a towel between the fabric and the iron, moving the iron constantly so as not to hover over one place for too long.
Acrylic. Machine wash acrylic in warm water, with fabric softener used every three or four washes. Dry on low temperature in the dyer and remove promptly, or squeeze out and then let dry on a hanger. Acrylic may be ironed at a low temperature.
Other fibers:
Rayon: Check the rest of the label to see whether the rayon should be dry-cleaned (it usually does) or if it can be hand-washed. Use cool water to wash with a mild detergent, then rinse with cool water. Like spandex, avoid wringing or twisting the fabric, but smooth the fabric and hang dry it on a plastic (not metal) hanger.
If the tags are still attached, make sure you check the tags of your garments first! They’ll give you the best instructions for washing. For some insight into what all those silly symbols mean, click here for a reference guide.
Dress Up a Plain Suit
