Knowing how to wash different types of clothing material helps maintain their color, shape, and appearance. This is important, as washing some types of fabrics the wrong way can ruin them — you don’t want to spend the money on an expensive Carharrt jacket only to damage it the first time it needs cleaning.
As different types of clothes have very different cleaning requirements, let’s take a closer look at how to care for specific fabrics. Proper care means more than knowing how to wash clothing: You need to know how to dry and store clothing as well. Before discussing fabrics, however, it’s helpful to answer two common questions people have about clothes washing: Does cold water shrink clothes, and should you wash colors in hot or cold water?
Does Cold Water Shrink Clothes?
If you’re worried about shrinkage, cold water is less likely to shrink clothes than warm or hot water, and delicate fabrics are best washed in cold water. Cold water is not, however, the best choice for all fabrics; Warm water is best for washing polyester, rayon, nylon, spandex, and rayon blends. Cold water is not recommended for sanitizing clothing, and detergents may not work as well in cold water.
Should You Wash Colors in Hot or Cold Water?
Cold water is the better choice for dark or bright colors, while hot water is generally the better choice for whites. For man-made fabrics like polyester, as well as denim clothing, the warm water setting is best as it cleans well without much risk of these fabrics fading or shrinking.
Caring for Cotton
Cotton is a natural fiber, known for its comfort, breathability, and ability to absorb moisture. A popular choice for T-shirts, pants, and polo shirts, cotton is susceptible to shrinkage when washed incorrectly.
To wash cotton, read the care label carefully. If the label indicates a cotton garment has been processed or preshrunk, it may be washed in cold, warm, or hot water depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. If the cotton has not been preshrunk or processed, the care label will probably indicate the need for cold water washing to prevent shrinkage and color fading.
Cotton garments can lose their elasticity and softness quickly. Using half the recommended detergent and adding an extra rinse cycle into the washing cycle helps keep these types of clothes soft. In most cases, you should dry cotton on tumble dry low, meaning the dryer should be set to its lowest possible setting.
To remove stains from cotton, use chlorine bleach only if the care label says it’s safe to do so. Stains on colored cotton garments may be treated with non-chlorine bleach.
Washing Polyester
One of the most popular types of fabric in the world, polyester is a synthetic fabric made from petroleum byproducts. Polyester and cotton/polyester blends are popular fabrics for hoodies, work pants, and T-shirts, as well as trucker hats.
Washing polyester is easy, as the fabric is known for its strength and ability to preserve its shape. Check the care label for specific washing temperatures, especially when washing polyester blends. Some polyester blends do require dry cleaning.
Drying polyester is best done at low temperatures. Remove the garments from the dryer while still slightly damp to prevent wrinkles and static. If you need to iron polyester, set the iron to low heat.
Stains should be treated with a stain remover before washing. Rub the stain remover into the fabric and let it sit for up to 20 minutes, then wash as normal. Using an antistatic product will help prevent the garment from sticking to your skin.
Caring for Wool Clothing
One of the oldest types of clothing material in the world, wool is made from the hair of sheep and other animals. Naturally, water repellent and insulating, wool is often used to make jackets, sweaters, and blankets, is stretchable and resists shrinkage.
Caring for wool is more involved than for cotton or polyester. Avoid wearing the same wool garment two days in a row to allow it to “rest” to preserve its shape. To prevent wool from stretching in the shoulders, hang clothing in an airy, dry closet on wood hangers.
To surface clean wool after wearing, use a lint brush to remove surface dirt. Stains can be removed by blotting the stained area with cold water or club soda using paper towels. Do not rub wool stains, as this can deform the garment’s shape.
Handwash wool in lukewarm water with a mild detergent after letting the wool soak for five minutes beforehand. You can also machine wash if your washer has a wool setting. To dry wool, gently squeeze out excess water, lay flat, and let air dry.
How to Wash and Care for Flannel
Flannel is one of the most popular types of clothing material. A cotton fabric with a soft napped finish, flannel is used to make long-sleeved shirts, jackets, and pullovers. Like other types of clothes made from cotton, flannel shrinks if not washed and dried correctly. Never wash flannel in hot water.
Wash flannel in warm or cool water with a mild detergent to avoid fading. Gentle cycles and permanent press cycles are appropriate for machine washing flannel — just be sure the water temperature remains the same through the washing cycle. Flannel washed in warm water should be rinsed in warm water, while flannel washed in cold water needs to be rinsed in cold water. Adding fabric softener or a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle helps keep flannel soft.
To dry flannel, either air-dry or tumble dry on low.
How to Care for Linen
Clothing materials like linen and cotton are made from plant material--in the case of linen, the plant source is flax. Absorbent, elastic, and strong, linen is used for clothing as diverse as pants, dresses, and shirts.
Before washing any linen garment, check the care label: some linen must be dry cleaned. If linen can be machine washed, wash according to the direction on the care label, as different linens often have different washing needs. Do not tumble dry linen clothing. Hang dry and use anti-wrinkle softeners during ironing.
To store linen gently fold and store it away from sunlight.
How to Care for Denim
Sturdy and durable, denim is a mainstay material for rugged types of clothing, including Western shirts and, of course, jeans. Despite its strength, denim does need some care to keep clothing looking great.
Before washing, zip-up denim and fasten any buttons and zippers. Wash in cold water, adding a little white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Washing in warm water fades denim faster, which you may want depending on your fashion preferences. Hanging denim clothing to air dry is your best option, but you can also tumble dry denim on low or no heat settings with some dryer balls. Remove denim clothing from the dryer while still slightly damp and hang to finish drying.
How to Wash and Dry Rayon
The first man-made fabric (as opposed to clothing materials derived from plants and animals), rayon is a regenerated cellulose fiber made from wood and other cellulose-containing materials. Rayon is a silky fabric most often used for shirts. It’s also a complicated fabric to care for.
Before you do anything with rayon, check the care label. Yes, we’ve said this about several different types of fabric, but rayon is especially delicate. If the garment has any stains, use an oxygen bleach such as OxiClean. Never use chlorine bleach on rayon — even diluted bleach will weaken rayon fibers.
Hand wash rayon by filling a sink with cold water. Mix a gentle detergent into the water then add the garment. Gently agitate the clothing in the water and let it soak for at least fifteen minutes. Rinse in cool water to remove any excess soap.
To dry rayon, place on a thick cotton towel. Roll up the towel to absorb water. Gently shape the rayon as it starts to dry and air dry flat. If you hang rayon shirts to air dry, use a padded hanger so the shoulders don’t stretch. Iron when slightly damp using a medium-hot iron on the inner side of the fabric. Using a pressing cloth helps protect the fabric.
How to Care for Leather
Leather clothing, such as leather jackets, require special care. Pretreat leather jacket with Scotch Guard to prevent water damage and stains.
Wiping dirt off with a damp cloth is often the most effective means of cleaning leather garments. For more serious stains, consult your dry cleaner. While dry cleaners don't clean leather, they probably know a specialty cleaner in your area who can give your leather the care and attention it deserves.
To store leather clothing, invest in a well-shaped hanger to preserve the clothing’s shape. Store leather in a dry, well-ventilated area away from sunlight.