Washing delicate fabrics can be a bit of an ordeal. You know that you have to be gentle and put the right amount of detergent in, but often times you are left with confusion about how to wash delicates without ruining them or what temperature to wash delicates on.
Today, we are ending this confusion. Washing delicates doesn’t have to be anymore, especially with the professional tips that we have for you. We’ll show you how to wash delicates without damaging or fading them and we will also give you tips on water temperature, drying, and folding them – all in all, a complete guide to washing delicates.
Top 10 Professional Tips on How to Wash Delicates
1. Know which clothes are delicate.
It’s important to know which fabrics are delicate so that you can make the right choices but sometimes, it’s not just the fabric that makes the clothes delicate. Sometimes, their make or the materials they are combined with turns the clothes delicate. Let’s sort that out first.
- Silks, lace, and chiffon: These fabrics are made of delicate fiber and need extra care when washing in order to maintain their quality.
- Embroidered, crocheted, and embellished fabrics: The fabric itself may be washable but if it has any embroidery, crochet, or some sort of embellishment, then it becomes a delicate fabric.
- Elastic fabrics: These fabrics are not delicate but the pull and stretch caused in the washing machine can damage their shape and lead to damage.
2. Test the fabric first.
If you want to be sure that your delicate fabric is safe for washing, test it first by rubbing it between your fingers. If the fabric stays in its place without losing its texture, it can be washed. You can also test a small patch of fabric by wetting it with a mild detergent and air drying it.
3. Use cool water.
When it comes to how to wash delicates with hot or cold water, the best way to wash them is with cool water. This isn’t just because it’s less likely to cause shrinkage or color bleeding, but also because it won’t damage the fabric as much in the long run.
4. Add mild detergent.
Always use a mild detergent to wash delicates. You can use any type of mild detergent that you like, but be sure to avoid bleach, fabric softener, and dryer sheets. If you do not have any mild detergent, use just a small amount of normal detergent.
5. Be gentle with the clothes.
Go for the delicate setting on your washing machine. If you do not have a delicate setting, look for “Silk/Linen,” or anything that says mild or quick. The goal is to use the shortest cycle of washing and rinsing to avoid any additional movement.
6. Avoid wringing or twisting.
At all costs, do not wring or twist the fabric as it will damage the texture of the fabric. Wringing and twisting will also cause the fabric to stretch unevenly, leaving you with a shapeless cloth piece. If the fabric has lace, embellishments, or embroidery, wringing and twisting will definitely ruin them.
7. Do not over-rinse.
Over-rinsing is a common mistake that can cause your delicate fabrics to become brittle, shrink, and more susceptible to damage. To avoid this problem, use the delicate setting on your washing machine and uncheck the extra rinse cycle.
8. Drain and let it rest.
Stop your washing machine when it drains all the water from the washing and let your fabric sit in the washing machine for an extra 10 minutes. This will remove all the excess water.
9. Skip spinner.
Avoid using a spinner as it exerts a strong force directly on the clothes once there is no water – this will cause some serious damage to the lace, embellishment, or embroidery. The fast spinning motion of the washing machine also creates heat that will damage the fiber of your clothes and result in an uneven shape.
10. Air dry on a clothes rack or hanger.
The last step is drying after successfully washing the delicates. You can put them on a clothes rack or a hanger to air dry.
Delicates are worth the extra care they need when washing them!
Delicates are more expensive than other fabrics because they’re so delicate and more likely to tear or damage than non-delicate ones. Clean your washing machine thoroughly, before tossing your delicates in the washer – use a good washing machine cleaner.
Remember that these extra cautions will extend the life of your delicates and keep them in shape for many wear.
Frequenty Asked Questions
Q: How to wash delicates by hand?
A: Fill a sink with cold water and add 1 teaspoon of gentle detergent to it. Gently wash the delicates in the water, using your fingers to rotate them around. Rinse under running water until completely clean. Squeeze out any excess water. Don’t wring or twist. Allow air drying on a clothes rack, hanger, or laying flat on a towel.
Q: How to wash delicates in washer?
A: Wash your delicates in cold water. Use a gentle cycle. Run them through the rinse cycle once and avoid using a spinner and dryer. Allow excess water to drain before hanging them on a rack or laying it down on a towel.
Q: What temperature to wash delicates on?
A: Recommended temperature is 30°C which is usually the temperature on a delicate cycle.
Q: How long does a delicate wash cycle take?
A: About 30 to 45 minutes.
