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General
Fabric Care Guide
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.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
Note: Acetate
is adversely affected by acetone and other organic solvents, such as
nail polish remover and perfumes containing such solvents.
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 hanger. Sweaters and circular knits should be dried flat.
If ironing is
required, use moderately warm iron.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
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
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
LINEN
Some linen is
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.)
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
LYOCELL
Lyocell
garments may be either machine washable and dryable or dry cleanable.
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.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
MICRO-FIBERS
Acrylic, nylon
and polyester micro-fibers are machine washable, machine dryable or
dry cleanable
Follow the
instructions for washing fabrics consisting of these individual
fibers.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
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.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
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.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
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.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
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
wearing, rayon articles may be pressed with a cool iron.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
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 hand
washing is permissible, 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.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
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.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
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.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label.
WOOL
Give wool
garments a 24-hour rest between wearing. Hang on shaped or padded
hangers, leaving lots of space. In general, wool fibers will shed
wrinkles 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 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.
For specific
instructions, always refer to the garment's sewn-in care label. |
