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.
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