Fabric Care
When winter is upon us - the natural tendency is to take short-cuts when attempting to get our clothes washed & dried
during excessively rainy periods. It is appropriate to include in this bulletin a fabric care guide to ensure "short-cuts" don't
result in expensive mistakes. For fabrics made from a blend or mixture of fibers, use the treatment recommended for the
most sensitive fiber.
__________________________ Natural Fabrics _______________________________
Cotton
Cotton creases on washing, wrinkles in wearing and requires considerable ironing. Very fine cottons like lawn require
much gentler handling than does a fabric like denim. Many colored cottons are non-colorfast so wash them separately
when new. It's also best to go on washing dark and light colored items separately. Permanent press cottons should be
squeezed only lightly during washing and rinsed thoroughly. To avoid crumpling and the need to iron - don't spin. Cotton
knits tend to stretch sideways and shorten
when washed, but can be gently pulled back into shape after washing. Cotton knits can also twist and become misshapen
if the fabric has not been cut and sewn with the straight grain of the fabric. Cotton is weakened and may be destroyed by
contact with
acids - even mild ones like fruit juice - if left for long periods. Wash out any staining immediately. Although you can usually
use chlorine bleach, check the garment label first. Follow the instructions on the bottle as too high a concentration may
cause yellowing.
Wool
Although a resilient fabric, wool is damaged by alkalis - the cleaning agents in wash powders and bar soaps. Special non-
alkaline wool washing products should be used. Wool garments are best laid flat to dry away from direct heat, though if
they've been
wrapped in a towel and spun-dried, finely knitted garments can be hung on the line as there's no risk of being stretched
by the weight of water. Steam iron or use a damp cloth but afterwards give the wool time to cool and allow it's shape to
be set. Wool
behaves something like hair - if you set it, it keeps it's shape until wet again and it holds the set better if heat is applied.
Mohair & Angora
As for wool Angora clothing is particularly sensitive to rubbing and shrinks very easily.
Linen
In general, linen fabrics do not soil quickly and unless stained do not require bleaching to stay white. Good quality linens
can be
safely washed using a normal wash cycle, but make sure the garment does not contain other fibres that could be
damaged. Some
heavier linens shrink and should be dry-cleaned.
Silk
Dry-cleaning is preferable, but some garments can be gently washed in a neutral detergent, such as the special wool
washes. It is preferable that the wash water and the rinse water are used at the same temperature. Spot cleaning tends
to leave rings and
should be avoided. If you need bleach, use peroxide, not chlorine because chlorine causes yellowing of white and cream
silks. After washing, hang briefly to remove excess water and press or roll between towels. Avoid steam pressing or
sprinkling with water because it may cause water marks. Iron shirts and blouses on the inside - it stops the fabric getting
a glossy look if the iron is a bit too hot.
________________________ Processed Natural Fibers __________________________
Viscose (Rayon)
Rayon is a cellulose fiber (made from wood fibers). Handle gently because Rayon becomes weaker when wet. Use a gentle
wash cycle. Rayon can shrink and distort so should not be left to hang for long periods. Iron while damp or steam press.
Viscose rayon, one of the newer high performance rayon’s, wrinkles less, can be washed and is also woven into heavy or
light fabrics. Washable rayon will state the care on the fabric label. Like silk, if you pre-wash rayon fabric prior to
construction of the garment, you have a washable garment.
Therefore, if the label is still on the garment, it would pay to treat it as suggested. If it is a VISCOSE RAYON you are
probably quite safe to wash it on a gentle cycle, or by hand. Washing with a mild wool or quilt washing liquid detergent is
kinder to the fabric.
Acetate and Triacetate
Modified cellulose fibres, which mean they have been chemically treated to add strength and special appearance - gloss,
for example. They're both heat sensitive, although triacetate can withstand higher ironing temperatures. Don't twist or
wring while wet
as it may take considerable ironing to remove the creases. These fabrics are damaged by acetone - for example, nail
polish remover.
___________________________ Synthetic Fabrics _____________________________
Synthetic fibers are petroleum based. They're all sensitive to heat and will get a glazed surface and shrink if heated too
much during ironing. They wash easily without much wrinkling and dry rapidly. Remove grease and oil before washing by
applying liquid
detergent and allow soaking in. Dry-cleaning is best for bad stains. Use a fabric softener to help reduce static. Tumble dry
on a low heat or line dry.
Nylon (polyamide)
This fiber has a tendency to absorb color and dirt from other items during washing. To minimize the problem, rinse
thoroughly.
White nylons should be washed alone or with other white items as they can be difficult to bleach white again. Do not use
chlorine
bleach.
Polyester
Polyesters are very wrinkle resistant and resilient and are often used in blends. If other fibers are suitable, the garment
may be
washed warm.
Acrylic
Commonly used in pullovers, often together, with other fibers like wool. Acrylic is a very heat sensitive fabric and must be
washed
at below 50°C. Wash gently by hand or gentle machine cycle. Rinse thoroughly and use a fabric softener to minimize
static. Do not
tumble dry. Don't steam iron as steam can shrink acrylic fabrics.
Spandex/Elastane
Also know by trade name Lycra. This fiber is at least 85% polyurethane and is used only in blends - especially in swim-
wear,
exercise wear and foundation garments. Use low/warm temperatures for washing and don't put these garments in the
dryer. If you
wear these in chlorine-treated swimming pools, rinse thoroughly afterwards or the fabric will soon lose elasticity and break
down.
When winter is upon us - the natural tendency is to take short-cuts when attempting to get our clothes washed & dried
during excessively rainy periods. It is appropriate to include in this bulletin a fabric care guide to ensure "short-cuts" don't
result in expensive mistakes. For fabrics made from a blend or mixture of fibers, use the treatment recommended for the
most sensitive fiber.
__________________________ Natural Fabrics _______________________________
Cotton
Cotton creases on washing, wrinkles in wearing and requires considerable ironing. Very fine cottons like lawn require
much gentler handling than does a fabric like denim. Many colored cottons are non-colorfast so wash them separately
when new. It's also best to go on washing dark and light colored items separately. Permanent press cottons should be
squeezed only lightly during washing and rinsed thoroughly. To avoid crumpling and the need to iron - don't spin. Cotton
knits tend to stretch sideways and shorten
when washed, but can be gently pulled back into shape after washing. Cotton knits can also twist and become misshapen
if the fabric has not been cut and sewn with the straight grain of the fabric. Cotton is weakened and may be destroyed by
contact with
acids - even mild ones like fruit juice - if left for long periods. Wash out any staining immediately. Although you can usually
use chlorine bleach, check the garment label first. Follow the instructions on the bottle as too high a concentration may
cause yellowing.
Wool
Although a resilient fabric, wool is damaged by alkalis - the cleaning agents in wash powders and bar soaps. Special non-
alkaline wool washing products should be used. Wool garments are best laid flat to dry away from direct heat, though if
they've been
wrapped in a towel and spun-dried, finely knitted garments can be hung on the line as there's no risk of being stretched
by the weight of water. Steam iron or use a damp cloth but afterwards give the wool time to cool and allow it's shape to
be set. Wool
behaves something like hair - if you set it, it keeps it's shape until wet again and it holds the set better if heat is applied.
Mohair & Angora
As for wool Angora clothing is particularly sensitive to rubbing and shrinks very easily.
Linen
In general, linen fabrics do not soil quickly and unless stained do not require bleaching to stay white. Good quality linens
can be
safely washed using a normal wash cycle, but make sure the garment does not contain other fibres that could be
damaged. Some
heavier linens shrink and should be dry-cleaned.
Silk
Dry-cleaning is preferable, but some garments can be gently washed in a neutral detergent, such as the special wool
washes. It is preferable that the wash water and the rinse water are used at the same temperature. Spot cleaning tends
to leave rings and
should be avoided. If you need bleach, use peroxide, not chlorine because chlorine causes yellowing of white and cream
silks. After washing, hang briefly to remove excess water and press or roll between towels. Avoid steam pressing or
sprinkling with water because it may cause water marks. Iron shirts and blouses on the inside - it stops the fabric getting
a glossy look if the iron is a bit too hot.
________________________ Processed Natural Fibers __________________________
Viscose (Rayon)
Rayon is a cellulose fiber (made from wood fibers). Handle gently because Rayon becomes weaker when wet. Use a gentle
wash cycle. Rayon can shrink and distort so should not be left to hang for long periods. Iron while damp or steam press.
Viscose rayon, one of the newer high performance rayon’s, wrinkles less, can be washed and is also woven into heavy or
light fabrics. Washable rayon will state the care on the fabric label. Like silk, if you pre-wash rayon fabric prior to
construction of the garment, you have a washable garment.
Therefore, if the label is still on the garment, it would pay to treat it as suggested. If it is a VISCOSE RAYON you are
probably quite safe to wash it on a gentle cycle, or by hand. Washing with a mild wool or quilt washing liquid detergent is
kinder to the fabric.
Acetate and Triacetate
Modified cellulose fibres, which mean they have been chemically treated to add strength and special appearance - gloss,
for example. They're both heat sensitive, although triacetate can withstand higher ironing temperatures. Don't twist or
wring while wet
as it may take considerable ironing to remove the creases. These fabrics are damaged by acetone - for example, nail
polish remover.
___________________________ Synthetic Fabrics _____________________________
Synthetic fibers are petroleum based. They're all sensitive to heat and will get a glazed surface and shrink if heated too
much during ironing. They wash easily without much wrinkling and dry rapidly. Remove grease and oil before washing by
applying liquid
detergent and allow soaking in. Dry-cleaning is best for bad stains. Use a fabric softener to help reduce static. Tumble dry
on a low heat or line dry.
Nylon (polyamide)
This fiber has a tendency to absorb color and dirt from other items during washing. To minimize the problem, rinse
thoroughly.
White nylons should be washed alone or with other white items as they can be difficult to bleach white again. Do not use
chlorine
bleach.
Polyester
Polyesters are very wrinkle resistant and resilient and are often used in blends. If other fibers are suitable, the garment
may be
washed warm.
Acrylic
Commonly used in pullovers, often together, with other fibers like wool. Acrylic is a very heat sensitive fabric and must be
washed
at below 50°C. Wash gently by hand or gentle machine cycle. Rinse thoroughly and use a fabric softener to minimize
static. Do not
tumble dry. Don't steam iron as steam can shrink acrylic fabrics.
Spandex/Elastane
Also know by trade name Lycra. This fiber is at least 85% polyurethane and is used only in blends - especially in swim-
wear,
exercise wear and foundation garments. Use low/warm temperatures for washing and don't put these garments in the
dryer. If you
wear these in chlorine-treated swimming pools, rinse thoroughly afterwards or the fabric will soon lose elasticity and break
down.
Fabric Care
| VIEW CART |
| Company |
| Men's |
| Women's |
| Customer Care |
| Di Moda European Lingerie |
Before place your order please read our full: |
| Info |
