Laundry Do's and Don’ts for Fabrics: A Guide to Caring for Your Clothes at Made New Laundry
Not all fabrics are created equal! Whether you’re washing delicate silks, sturdy denim, or everyday synthetics, each type of fabric requires specific care to keep it looking its best. At Made New Laundry, our state-of-the-art Electrolux machines offer customizable settings to help you care for every fabric, from delicate to durable.
Here’s a fabric-specific guide on how to wash and dry common items, ensuring they stay in top condition for longer.
1. Wool
Wool is a natural fiber that provides warmth and comfort, but it requires special care to avoid shrinking or felting.
Do’s:
Use Cold Water: Always wash wool in cold water using the delicate or wool cycle to prevent shrinking.
Use a Gentle Detergent: Choose a detergent formulated for wool or delicates to protect the fibers.
Air-Dry: Wool items should always be laid flat to dry. Hanging them can cause stretching and losing shape.
Don’ts:
Avoid Hot Water: Hot water will cause wool to shrink and felt, making it stiff and less soft.
Don’t Use the Dryer: Even on low heat, the dryer can shrink or distort wool items. Stick to air-drying to keep your wool soft and in shape.
At Made New Laundry: Our delicate cycle and cold-water settings are perfect for washing wool, and you can easily lay your items flat at home to dry.
2. Silk
Silk is a delicate, luxurious fabric that needs to be handled with care to avoid damage.
Do’s:
Use Cold Water: Wash silk items in cold water on the delicate cycle to maintain their softness and sheen.
Use a Mild Detergent: Choose a detergent made for delicate fabrics or silk to avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the fibers.
Air-Dry: Always air-dry silk by laying it flat or hanging it in a shaded area. Direct sunlight can cause fading.
Don’ts:
Avoid High Heat: Never use hot water or high heat in the dryer, as it can damage the delicate silk fibers.
Don’t Use Fabric Softener: Silk is naturally soft, so fabric softener isn’t needed and may leave a residue on the fabric.
At Made New Laundry: Our machines offer cold water and delicate cycle options, ensuring your silk items are treated gently.
3. Denim
Denim is a durable, long-lasting fabric, but it can lose its shape and color if not washed correctly.
Do’s:
Wash Inside Out: Turn denim garments inside out before washing to preserve their color and prevent fading.
Use Cold Water: Wash denim in cold water to minimize shrinkage and color loss.
Air-Dry or Use Low Heat: Air-drying is best for denim to maintain its fit. If you use a dryer, opt for low heat to avoid shrinking.
Don’ts:
Avoid Hot Water: Hot water can shrink and fade denim, making it lose its original color and fit.
Don’t Overwash: Washing denim too frequently can cause the fabric to break down faster. Try to wash jeans every 4-5 wears.
At Made New Laundry: Our machines allow you to select cold water and low-heat drying options, keeping your denim in great condition.
4. Synthetics (Polyester, Nylon, Spandex)
Synthetics are popular for their durability and moisture-wicking properties, but they need proper care to avoid damage.
Do’s:
Use Cold or Warm Water: Synthetics like polyester and nylon can be washed in cold or warm water on a normal cycle.
Use a Mild Detergent: Avoid harsh detergents that could break down synthetic fibers.
Dry on Low Heat: Use the low-heat setting in the dryer to prevent synthetic fabrics from melting or becoming misshapen.
Don’ts:
Avoid High Heat: High heat can cause synthetic fabrics to lose their elasticity or become damaged, so always use a low heat setting in the dryer.
Don’t Use Fabric Softener: Fabric softener can leave a residue on synthetic fabrics and reduce their moisture-wicking abilities.
At Made New Laundry: Our machines are equipped with low-heat drying options to prevent damage to your synthetic fabrics, keeping them looking new for longer.
5. Cotton
Cotton is one of the most commonly used fabrics and is relatively easy to care for, but it can shrink if not washed properly.
Do’s:
Use Warm Water: Wash cotton in warm water to remove dirt and stains effectively without shrinking.
Dry on Medium Heat: Use the medium heat setting in the dryer to dry cotton items quickly without shrinking them.
Don’ts:
Avoid Hot Water: Hot water can shrink cotton, so it’s best to stick to warm or cold water depending on the item.
Don’t Overdry: Overdrying cotton in high heat can cause it to shrink and become stiff, so always remove it promptly once dry.
At Made New Laundry: Our washers and dryers offer customizable temperature settings, perfect for washing and drying cotton without shrinking or damaging the fabric.
6. Linen
Linen is a breathable, lightweight fabric that’s perfect for warm weather, but it’s prone to wrinkles and needs gentle care.
Do’s:
Use Cold Water: Wash linen in cold water on a gentle cycle to prevent shrinking.
Air-Dry: To avoid wrinkles and shrinkage, it’s best to air-dry linen by laying it flat or hanging it.
Don’ts:
Avoid High Heat: Heat can shrink linen and cause excessive wrinkling, so always opt for air-drying or low heat in the dryer.
Don’t Overload the Washer: Linen wrinkles easily, so give it plenty of space to move around in the washer.
At Made New Laundry: Our machines have a delicate cycle and cold water settings, perfect for protecting your linen items.
Conclusion: Trust Your Fabrics to Made New Laundry
Different fabrics require different care, and at Made New Laundry, we make it easy to care for them all. Our high-efficiency Electrolux washers and dryers offer customizable settings for every type of fabric, from delicate silks to sturdy denim. Whether you’re washing wool sweaters, synthetic workout gear, or cotton basics, our machines provide the right temperature settings and drying options to keep your clothes looking their best.
Stop by Made New Laundry today and give your fabrics the care they deserve!