Caring for different fabrics
These days, there are more and more fabrics than ever before. But sometimes all these different fabrics can be a bit of a headache to take care of – until we came along. For our useful guide to fabric care – just use the dropdown to find the fabric (s) you want to take care of, and we’ll tell you the rest.
Fabric type
Acetate
Usually best dry cleaned. If laundering is indicated:- Hand wash in warm water with mild suds
- Do not twist or wring out the garment
- Do not soak coloured items
- Whilst still damp, press on the wrong side with a cool iron. If finishing the right side, use a pressing cloth
- Circular knits should be laid flat to dry.
Acrylic
Acrylic garments can be washed or dry cleaned.- Use warm water setting and add a fabric softener during the final rinse cycle
- Tumble dry at low temperature. Remove from dryer as soon as garments are dry
- Wash delicate items by hand in warm water. Cut static electricity by using a fabric softener in every third or fourth wash
- Gently squeeze out water, smooth or shake out garments and let dry on a non-rust hanger. Sweaters and circular knits should be dried flat
- If ironing is required, use moderately warm iron.
Cotton
- Cotton is easy to wash and can take high temperatures
- Chlorine bleach can safely be used on cotton whites. Use colour-safe bleach on dyed cottons
- Since cotton fibres are fairly in-elastic, cotton fabrics can wrinkle easily, and fabrics may need frequent pressing
- Set the dryer hotter for cotton as it takes much longer to dry than less absorbent fibres
- Cotton can be ironed with a hot iron, and does not scorch easily.
Linens
Some linens are washable, while others are dry clean only, so make sure you check the label.- Washable household linens, handkerchiefs and linen clothing can be washed easily and become softer with use
- White linens should be dried in the sun if possible, to help keep their whiteness
- Generally speaking, dry cleaning is recommended for linen curtains, upholstery linens and decorative linens
- Linen fabrics may need frequent pressing, unless they've been treated for crease resistance.
Lyocell
Lyocell garments may be either machine washed and dried or dry cleaned, so check the label.- Machine wash and tumble dry at low temperatures. Remove from dryer as soon as the garment is dry
- If ironing is required, use a moderately warm iron.
Nylon
Most items made from nylon can be machine washed and tumble dried at low temperatures.- Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle
- To minimize static electricity, use a dryer sheet when tumble drying
- Remove garments from the dryer as soon as the cycle is finished
- If ironing is required, use a warm iron.
Polyester
Most items made from polyester can be machine washed and tumble dried.- Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle
- Tumble dry at low temperature setting and remove garments as soon as the cycle is complete
- If ironing is needed, use a moderately warm iron
- Most polyester items can also be dry-cleaned.
Polyolefin
Most items made from polyolefin can be washed or dry cleaned.- Most stains can easily be removed by sponging with lukewarm water and detergent
- If this fabric is machine washed, it should be line dried or tumble dried with gentle or no heat
- Do not iron.
Rayon
Most rayon garments should be dry cleaned, but some can be hand or machine washed. For washable items:- Use mild lukewarm or cool suds. Gently squeeze suds through the fabric and rinse in lukewarm water. Do not wring or twist the garment
- Smooth or shake out the item and place on non-rust hanger to dry. Rayon sweaters should be laid flat to dry
- Whilst still damp, press the wrong side with the iron at a moderate setting. If finishing on the right side is required, a pressing cloth should be used
- Between wearings, rayon articles may be pressed with a cool iron.
Silk
Only pre-washed silk is washable, so it's very important to read the label.- Dry cleaning is generally preferable, since laundry detergent and dyes from other clothes may adversely affect silk fabric
- For washable silk, follow the care instructions carefully
- For items without linings or embellishments, careful hand-washing is possible with mild suds and lukewarm water
- Chlorine bleach should never be used on silk
- For long term storage, silk should be sealed against light, air and insects
Spandex
- Hand or machine wash in lukewarm water
- Do not use chlorine bleach on any fabric containing spandex. Use colour-safe bleach only.
- Rinse thoroughly
- Drip dry. If tumble drying, use low temperature setting
- If ironing is required, iron quickly at a cool setting and do not leave the iron in one place for too long.
Triacetate
- Pleated garments are best hand washed. Most other garments containing 100% triacetate can be machine washed
- If ironing is needed, a high temperature setting may be used
- Articles containing triacetate require little care, mainly because of the fibre's resistance to heat.
Wool
Give woollen garments a 24-hour rest between wearings. Hang on shaped or padded hangers, leaving plenty of space. Usually, wool fibres will lose any creases and return to their original shape.- Empty pockets, remove belts and hang with closures zipped and buttoned
- Fold knits
- Brush wool to remove surface soil. Use a damp sponge for knits and finer fabrics
- Refresh woollen garments quickly after wearing or unpacking, by hanging them in a steamy bathroom. Moisture from the steam will remove any creases
- If wool gets wet, dry the garment at room temperature away from heat
- Remove spots and stains promptly
- Always use steam when pressing wool and use the iron's wool setting. Avoid pressing wool totally dry. When possible, press on the reverse side of the fabric
- If it is necessary to iron the right side, use a pressing cloth to avoid a shine. Lift and lower the iron, rather than moving it backwards and forwards
- Prevent imprints of any inside details by placing a piece of brown paper or tissue paper under folds, seams or darts