Fabric Care
Understanding fabrics can be valuable when, in the absence of a garment Care Label, a laundry decision needs to be made. If a garment Care Label is provided, pay attention to it. If a garment Care Label is not provided, the following information may be of help to you. When washing fiber blends (i.e., 70% polyester, 30% cotton wool), wash as if they were 100% of the predominant fiber. You may also find it helpful to consult the Care Label Guide.
Natural Fibers
- Cotton is a commonly used fiber because of its strength and breathability. It absorbs water well but wrinkles easily. It may be washed in hot water and dried easily at high temperatures.
- Linen is cellulose fiber like cotton but it wrinkles easily. It may be washed and ironed as cotton is, but do not press sharp creases as its fibers break easily.
- Silk is a protein fiber. It may be machine washed in warm temperatures unless the Care Label says it is "delicate". Do not use Chlorine Bleach. Do not dry in direct sunlight.
- Wool is a natural protein fiber which is almost wrinkle free. Most woolens are "dry clean only". However, if the Care Label says "washable", follow garment Care Label for laundering instructions. Be very gentle as it will shrink if it is agitated when it is hot and wet. Use cold or lukewarm water and a short washing time. Use a "delicate" cycle and provide an 8-minute soak with a 2 minute agitation. Chlorine will damage wool. Drying in warm and hot temperatures will cause extreme shrinkage. Do not dry in direct sunlight.
Man-Made Fibers
- Acetates and Tri-acetates are heat-sensitive and brittle. Most acetates are "dry clean only". If the Care Label says they are "washable", handle with care and follow Care Label instructions. Wash in cool or warm water. Never twist or wring wet acetates. Iron at warm setting or with steam.
- Acrylics are wrinkle resistant and retain their shape well. They are heat sensitive, so air dry or tumble dry low and use a steam iron on warm setting.
- Glass fibers are often used in bedspreads and draperies. If possible, hand wash fabrics with glass fibers. Never dry clean glass. Do not twist or wring as this will break the fibers. Do not iron.
- Nylon is the strongest fiber available. White nylon products must be washed separately because they pick up color easily. Rinse in cool water and tumble dry-low. Gray or yellowed nylon can be treated with Mrs. Stewart's Bluing to restore whiteness.
- Polyesters are very wrinkle resistant and strong. However, they take on oily soil easily. Wash in warm water. Turn polyester knits inside out to prevent snagging and pilling. If ironing is necessary, use steam iron on warm setting.
- Rayon is absorbent, economical and versatile. It has very little strength when it is wet. If the garment label specifies "washable", it may be washed in warm water - on the delicate cycle - and ironed if necessary.
- Spandex is used for its elasticity. It will yellow if exposed to chlorine. It is machine washable and can be tumble dried or line dried - but not in direct sunlight. It is heat sensitive.
Special Items
- Stockings and Panty Hose should be hand washed in lukewarm water. They can be washed in the washing machine if first placed in a mesh bag or a zippered pillow case. If hand washing, squeeze water out gently without wringing or twisting. Line dry or dry in automatic dryer on the "delicate" cycle in mesh bag.
- Diapers should be rinsed immediately and soaked in a solution of lukewarm water and a gentle detergent until washing. Run diapers through a spin cycle to release excess contaminated water before washing. Wash in hot water with an adequate amount of gentle detergent on a regular cycle (10+ minutes). As bleach can be harsh on a baby's skin, we recommend using gentle Mrs. Stewart's Bluing in the final rinse to keep diapers their whitest.
- When washing and drying Draperies, Curtains, Quilts, Bedspreads, Rugs and other similar items, we recommend following the instructions on the Care Label, or consulting the manufacturer.
go to top
Special Problems
Color Loss
Causes of color loss include bad quality dyes, incorrect bleaching, and an over-hot dryer. Most color loss is permanent and non-reversible. For prevention of color loss, sort clothes properly, follow Care Label instructions on clothing, and Product Label instructions on products used. If you have a garment that you suspect is not "colorfast", wash it separately. To the first washing, add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of vinegar to the wash load. This will help neutralize the dyes, eliminating some bleeding and fading.
Color Transfer
Also known as "Bleeding", color transfer occurs when a non-colorfast fabric comes in contact with a lighter color fabric (for instance, red on white) and the dye transfers. This usually happens when both fabrics are wet. This is caused by bad quality dyes.
For prevention of color transfer, sort clothes properly, follow Care Label and Product Label instructions. If noticed before drying, rinse in cool water. If color remains, rub with detergent and re-wash. Use bleach if safe for fabric. Use color remover if safe for fabric.
Graying
Graying is caused by loss of whitener in fabric, color transfer, over-bleaching, age, insufficient amount of detergent, presoaking for too long, overloading of washing machine, hard water and/or a number of other factors.
For prevention of dingy looking clothing:
- Use an adequate amount of detergent (but not too much) and proper water temperature.
- Be sure clothing is sorted correctly.
- Do not overload your washer.
- Limit bleach use. While it is a good stain remover, continuous use will damage fabric fibers irreversibly.
- To prevent graying caused by hard water, consider the purchase of a home water softener or look into packaged water conditioners.
To prevent and reverse graying caused by bleaching, age or insufficient cleaning, use Mrs. Stewart's Bluing to restore whiteness to white laundry and to brighten colors in colored laundry.
Linting
Linting is the process by which small particles or balls of loose, unwanted fiber are formed. Lint gently attaches itself to the surface of clothing. Some lint will always be created by wear and laundering.
To prevent washing-related linting:
- Unclog or clean out the washing machine lint filter. Follow the machine Manufacturer's Instructions for care and maintenance of the machine.
- Sort fabrics which tend to create lint into their own loads (towels, flannel material, blankets, etc.)
- Before laundering these loads, shake and brush the fabric with a clothes or lint brush, or use the sticky side of masking tape to remove lint.
To prevent drying-related linting:
- Unclog or clean out the dryer lint filter and follow Manufacturer's Instructions for proper maintenance.
- Sort fabrics which tend to create lint into their own loads, shake and brush them free of lint.
- Incorporate the use of fabric softener sheets.
- Set the dryer at a cooler temperature.
- Turn clothes which create or collect lint inside out for drying.
- Remove clothing when slightly damp.
Pilling
Pilling occurs when groups of short or broken fibers on the surface of the fabric become tangled together in a tiny ball - a pill. Pilling results from rubbing or abrasion of the fabric during normal wear and use. Pilling is particularly prevalent with polyester and polyester blends.
To prevent pilling:
- Before laundering, turn the garment inside out.
- Use a slower agitation and a shorter wash cycle.
- Use a liquid detergent or allow powdered detergent to dissolve completely before adding garments.
- Remove from the dryer as soon as it is dry.
To remove pills, use a battery operated pill remover, which shaves the pills from the surface of the garment. Or, pull the fabric taut over a curved surface and carefully cut off the pill with scissors or shave the fabric surface with a safety razor.
go to top