APPAREL
& FABRIC CARE
The following are general care tips for cleaning and caring for fabrics
containing natural and man-made fibers used in apparel and home fashions. Always read and
follow the care instructions and any warning on the garment/fabric label.
Index of Fibers
[ Acetate | Acrylic | Cotton
| Linen | Lyocell | Microfibers
| Mohair | Nylon | Polyester | Polyolefin (Olefin) | Rayon | Silk
| Spandex | Triacetate | Wool
]
Refer to our Stain Removal Guide for treating stains on washable fabrics.
ACETATE
Most acetate garments should be dry-cleaned. Some knits are washable. If
laundering is indicated, use the following guide:
- Hand wash in warm water with mild suds.
- Do not twist or wring out the garment.
- Do not soak colored items.
- Press while damp 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.
Note: Acetate is adversely affected by acetone and other organic
solvents, such as nail polish remover and perfumes containing such solvents.
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ACRYLIC
Acrylic garments may be washed or dry cleaned.
- When machine washing, use warm water setting and add a fabric softener during the final
rinse cycle.
- Machine dry at low temperature. Remove from dyer as soon as garments are dry.
- Wash delicate items by hand in warm water. Static electricity can be reduced by using s
fabric softener in every third or fourth washing. Gently squeeze out water, smooth or
shake out garment and let dry on a non-rust hangar. Sweaters and circular knits should be
dried flat.
- If ironing is required, use moderately warm iron.
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COTTON
- Cotton can be easily laundered. It can withstand high temperatures
(boiling water does not hurt the fiber).
- Any good detergent can be used to wash cotton.
- Chlorine bleach can be used safely on cotton whites. Use color safe bleach on dyed
cottons.
- Since cotton fibers are fairly inelastic cotton fabrics may wrinkle easily. And, fabric
may need frequent pressing.
- However, cotton fabric can be treated with a wrinkle resistant finish to create a more
resilient fabric/garment. The label will tell you if this finish has been applied.
- A higher heat setting is needed in the dryer to dry cotton. Cotton will take much longer
to dry than less absorbent fibers.
- Cotton can be ironed with a hot iron, and does not scorch easily
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LINEN Some linens are washable, while others are dry clean only. Be sure
to check the label.
Washable household linen, handkerchiefs, and linen apparel can be washed easily and
become softer with use.
White linens should be dried in the sun, if to help them to keep their whiteness.
Generally speaking, dry cleaning is recommended for drapery linens, upholstery linens
and decorative linens.
Linen fabrics may need frequent pressing, unless treated for crease resistance.
(Permanent press and soil release finishes are now being used effectively on 65% linen/35%
polyester tablecloths, napkins and placemats.).
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LYOCELL
Lyocell garments may be either machine washable and dryable or
drycleanable. Read the label.
- Washable lyocell has the strength and ease of care of other easy-care fabrics.
- Machine wash and dry at low temperature. Remove from dryer as soon as the garment is
dry.
- If ironing is required, use a moderately warm iron.
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MICROFIBERS
Acrylic, nylon and polyester microfibers are machine washable, machine
dryable or drycleanable Follow the instructions for washing fabrics consisting of these
individual fibers.
(For specific instruction refer to the garment's sewn-in care
label.)
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NYLON
Most items made from nylon can be machined washed and tumbled dried at
low temperatures.
- Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle.
- To minimize static electricity use a dyer sheet when machine drying.
- Remove articles from the dyer as soon as the tumbling cycle is completed.
- If ironing is required, use a warm iron.
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POLYESTER
Most items made from polyester can be machine washed and dried.
- Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle.
- Machine dry at low temperature setting and remove articles as soon as the tumbling cycle
is complete.
- If ironing is needed, use a moderately warm iron.
- Most items made from polyester can be dry-cleaned.
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POLYOLEFIN (OLEFIN)
Most items can be washed or dry-cleaned.
- Most stains can be readily be removed by wiping, using lukewarm water and detergent.
- If fabric is machine washed, it should be line dried or tumbled dried with gentle or no
heat.
- Do not iron.
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RAYON
Most rayon garments should be dry-cleaned, but some types of fabric and
garment construction are such that they can be hand or machine washed. For washable items,
use the following as a guide:
- Use mild lukewarm or cool suds. Gently squeeze suds through the fabric and rinse in
lukewarm water. Do not wring or twist the article.
- Smooth or shake out the article and place on a non-rust hanger to dry. Rayon sweaters
should be laid flat to dry.
- Press the article while damp on the wrong side with the iron at a moderate setting. If
finishing on the right side is required, a press cloth should be used.
- Between wearings, rayon articles may be pressed with a cool iron.
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SILK
Only pre-washed silk is washable. Read the label!
- Dry cleaning is generally preferred, since laundering detergent and dyes in other
clothes may adversely affect silk fabric.
- For washable silk, follow the care instructions carefully.
- For items without linings and without embellishments attached, careful handwashing is
permissable, with mild soap and lukewarm water.
- Chlorine bleach should never be used on silk.
- For long-time storage, silk should be sealed against light, air and insects.
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SPANDEX
Hand or machine wash in lukewarm water.
- Do not use chlorine bleach on any fabric containing spandex. Use a color safe bleach
only.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Drip dry. If machine drying, use low temperature setting.
- If ironing is required, iron rapidly and don't leave the iron in one place too long. Use
a low temperature setting on the iron.
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TRIACETATE Pleated garments are best hand laundered. 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 due mainly to the fiber's resistance
to high temperature.
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WOOL Give wool garments a 24-hour rest between wearings. Hang on shaped
or padded hangers, leaving lots of space. In general, wool fibers will shed wrinkles and
return to their orginal 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 wool garments quickly after wearing or unpacking by hanging them in a steamy
bathroom. Moisture from the steam will remove wrinkles.
If wool gets wet, dry the garment at room temperature away from heat. If there's a nap,
brush with the nap.
Remove spots and stains promptly.
Keep moths away by storing wool with fresh cedar blocks.
Dry clean once a season(or when stained), and especially before storing.
Always steam when pressing wool. Use the wool setting. Avoid pressing wool totally dry.
When possible, press on the reverse side of the fabric. When necessary to press on the
right side, use a press cloth to avoid a shine. Lower and lift the iron, don't slide it
back and forth. Prevent imprinting inside detail by placing a piece of brown paper or
tissue paper under folds, seams or darts.
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