Different Fabric! Different Texture! Different Wash cycle!
Fabrics like snowflakes, are similar yet all are different.
They say fabrics are like stories with each one carrying a different theme. You cant have them all in a day, like you can’t wash them all in a common way.
We might look and buy for patterns, designs, labels but what we pay for is Fabric! And no matter how expensive or cheap, If we don’t care for it enough, the fabric loses its flair. Hence like parents treat every child specially, we care for each fabric uniquely.
Be it cotton, silk, Linen, leather, wool, denim, polyester or synthetic fabrics, all need a little attention. Just spend a couple of minutes more and have them shine forever.
The Cottony wash:
Cotton is of course most common clothing fabric, but also most mishandled. Being cotton, its is soft but does not really require a lot of effort. Simply choose a credible detergent, use cold water and wash it for good 10-15 minutes. However time would depend on number of clothes.
But remember Hot water is not recommended for cotton fabrics as they lead to shrinkage of clothes.
For the silkytouch:
Now silk is a delicate fabric, to be handled with care. It is usually prone to release dyes thus leading to stained clothes. Soak it for sometime, so the free dye gets released out, and make sure it is washed alone. You Do Not oversoak silk for it may lose its color. Again the key is Cold or lukewarm water but never hot.
The Linen Look:
No office attire wardrobe was ever complete without a light shade linen shirt.
Linen gets softer and better with each wash by hand or machine as compared to dry cleaning. For this you use mild or soft detergent, avoid hard water and keep it cold. It is recommended to keep the wash cycle gentle. With this a neatly washed linen shirt is ready for office!
For Leather Stuff:
Imagine all the fashion and style quotient but with a faded worn out leather jacket? Such a disappointment.
Hence, leather jackets are always best cleaned by professionals. They might fetch you a tough guy look but need a lot of care. However you can last them longer by keeping them safe in covers after wearing each time. Avoid keeping it in moist areas. Or wipe it with mild soap and water but when it gets really weary , handle it to a professional.
A warm woolfeeling:
Made from the fur of sheep, the warmth of wool makes it a necessity for winters. Many clothes come with a ‘dry-clean only’ caution. Understand it. But for all others, use a mild gentle determent, use cold water and keep gentle wash cycles for wool. Excessive washes may make loosen the fabric and hot water may shrink it. So, be cautious!
World with Denims:
Denim is a regular wear. Jeans make the most worn clothing hence require to be treated well. A faded jeans implies a faded impression. So, wash it less, stain it less. Be careful to not stain it much, so you wash it less frequently. Always flip it inside out, this avoids color loss and fading. Choose a detergent not too mild and definitely not harsh. Then, just wash it in cold water. Avoid using dryers for a better and lasting jeans. Simply hand them in fresh air.
Polyester, Nylon and other common synthetic fibers:
Polyester, the ‘wonder fiber’, is full of colors, durable and easy to handle fiber. Choose a moderate detergent and warm wash polyester clothes. These may lock the stains, to have a stain free clear look, rub the detergent and handwash the stained part before machine washing it. Remember, when you iron polyester on high temperature, it might melt and deform.
Viscose/rayon
With a silky feel and texture, it’s a lightweight fiber. A moderately strong detergent with cold water is the best setting for viscose/rayon. But it is prone to quick wrinkles hence avoid any twisting and drenching, these should be hung wet. For ironing choose a mildly hot iron with steam and get a wrinkle free shiny look.
For most synthetic fibers like spandex etc this is the key, moderate credible detergent with cold to lukewarm water. These aren’t as delicate as silk for say.
Apart from these specific concerns, Make sure you always read the label. Delicate clothes that call for ‘Dry-clean only’ should be treated that way. Special occasion garments can be washed separately, if it doesn’t mandatorily require dry cleaning.
So, next time you sort clothes only by color, make sure you’re aware of the effect of the washing cycle on different fabrics. Afterall fashion or style is not about what you wear but also how you carry it. A roughly creased dress never made a statement. A little attention to detail does no harm and renders lasting shiny clothes.
With that being said, Dhobi G is a go-to help for anything related to laundry. You may browse many more similar tips at https://blog.dhobig.com/. Visit Dhobi G at www.dhobig.com. Make sure to check them out on Facebook as well at https://www.facebook.com/DhobiGOnline/.