Fabric Care: A Complete Guide
In this complete fabric care guide, we’ll provide you with a ton of practical tips on how to care for your beloved fabrics! But before we get into the specifics, it’s important to start with the basics. Once you’ve got your new fabric, it’s important to prepare it before using it and choose the right cleaning products. We’ll also give you some tips on how to bring back the shine to your dull fabrics. Let’s get started!
How to prepare a fabric before using it?
Before using a new fabric, it is essential to prepare it to avoid certain disappointments. One of the essential steps is to remove the sizing or finishing of the fabric, also called "decatizing". This eliminates chemical residues and softens the fabric. It is worth noting that there are different decatizing methods, suitable for different types of fabrics, which we cover in detail in our article on decatizing .
What product should I use to clean fabric?
When it comes to cleaning fabric, it is important not to choose just any product. Opt for gentle products that are specifically designed for fabrics. Liquid or powder detergents for delicate fabrics are highly recommended. Be sure to read the product labels carefully to check their compatibility with the type of fabric you want to clean. This reflex, so quickly forgotten, is nevertheless extremely important!
What is the most effective product for cleaning?
Unfortunately, there is no single product that works for all fabrics. The effectiveness of the cleaning will of course depend on the type of fabric and the type of stain being treated. Some specific products, such as enzymatic stain removers for protein stains (such as blood or food stains) or solvent-based cleaners for oil or grease stains, may be more suitable. Check the manufacturer's recommendations or seek advice from a cleaning professional if necessary.
What is the best natural cleanser?
If you are a fan of natural cleaners, some common products can be effective. White vinegar mixed with warm water can help remove odors and light stains. Baking soda can be used to absorb unwanted odors. For delicate fabrics, Marseille soap diluted in warm water can be a gentle and natural option.
How to restore shine to fabric?
Over time, some fabrics can lose their shine and appear duller. Here are some tips to restore their vitality:
- For machine washable fabrics, add a glass of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to revive colors.
- For delicate fabrics, use a soft bristle brush to remove dust and unwanted particles.
- For white or light-colored fabrics, try soaking them in a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide (be careful, low concentration) for a few hours, then wash them as usual.
- For velvet or suede fabrics, use a special brush to put the fibers back in place and restore their volume.
Fabric care: treatment before washing
Now that we’ve covered the essentials of fabric preparation and choosing cleaning products, let’s get down to business. In this second part of our complete fabric care guide, we’ll take a closer look at specific tips for caring for the most commonly used fabrics. Please note that while our fabric care tips are generally applicable, it’s important to always read the care instructions that come with each specific fabric carefully – that’s the most important thing!
Just before we begin, let's clarify one last thing. In the rest of the article, we're going to talk about "treating stains before washing." Let's see what that means.
Stain pretreatment treats soils before washing to increase the chances of removing stains more effectively. This can help prevent stains from setting during the wash cycle and improve the overall cleaning results of the fabric.
Please note that pre-treatment methods may vary depending on the nature of the stain and the manufacturer's specific recommendations. It is therefore advisable to consult the care instructions provided with the garment or to seek specific advice for the type of stain encountered. Here's how to proceed:
- Identify Stains : Examine the fabric carefully for visible stains or soiled areas.
- Stain Pre-Treatment : Apply a stain remover or solution appropriate for the nature of the stain to the stained area. You can use commercial stain removers available on the market or make your own solution using mild detergent or baking soda mixed with water. Follow the stain remover's instructions carefully.
- Gentle scrubbing : Use a soft toothbrush or clean cloth to gently rub the stain remover solution into the stain. Work from the outside of the stain to the inside to avoid spreading it.
- Leave to act : Let the stain remover solution act for a few minutes, depending on the specific instructions of the product or homemade solution.
- Checking the stain : After letting the solution sit, check to see if the stain has faded or been removed. If the stain persists, you can repeat the pre-treatment process or try an alternative stain removal method.
- Rinsing : Once the stain is treated, rinse the pre-treated area with cold water to remove any remaining stain removal solution.
- Normal wash : After pretreating the stains, you can wash the fabric according to the specific instructions of the appropriate washing program for that particular fabric.
Fabric care by material
Now let's see how to care for our favorite clothes in more detail. The materials are presented in alphabetical order for ease!
Acrylic :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or synthetic cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Machine dry at low temperature or air dry
🔥 Ironing: Do not iron, as acrylic may melt or warp with heat
💡 Specific advice: Avoid direct exposure to sunlight to prevent discoloration and deformation of the acrylic fiber
Cotton :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 40°C to 60°C
🔄 Washing program: Normal or delicate
🌈 Color separation: Separate white clothes from colored ones
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Machine dry on low heat or air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at high temperature if necessary
💡 Specific advice: Some varieties of cotton may shrink, check the labels and follow specific washing instructions
Cupro :
🌡️ Washing temperature: Follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations
🔄 Washing program: Follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations
🌈 Color Separation: Separate colors if necessary
🧼 Use appropriate detergent: Use a mild detergent suitable for the fabric
🧺 Pre-treating stains: Treat stains carefully before washing
☀️ Drying: Follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with a protective cloth if necessary
💡Specific tips: Cupro may shrink, check manufacturer's instructions and avoid excessive wringing
Denim :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Normal or delicate cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Air dry or machine dry at low temperature
🔥 Ironing: Iron at high temperature if necessary
💡 Specific advice: Denim may fade during the first washes, avoid rubbing it against lighter fabrics
Flannel :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or synthetic cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Machine dry at low temperature or air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with a protective cloth if necessary
💡Specific Tips: Flannel may shrink, check manufacturer's instructions and avoid excessive wringing
Jacquard :
🌡️ Washing temperature: Follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations
🔄 Washing program: Follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations
🌈 Color Separation: Separate colors if necessary
🧼 Use appropriate detergent: Use a mild detergent suitable for the fabric
🧺 Pre-treating stains: Treat stains carefully before washing
☀️ Drying: Follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with a protective cloth if necessary
💡Specific advice: Some jacquards may require dry cleaning, check manufacturer's instructions
Jersey :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or synthetic cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Dry flat or hang to air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with care
💡Specific advice: Jersey can stretch, avoid twisting or creasing it when washing
Lin :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or linen cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Dry flat or hang to air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at high temperature to smooth out wrinkles
💡Special Tips: Linen can wrinkle easily, so ironing is recommended for a neat appearance
Nylon :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or synthetic cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Machine dry at low temperature or air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with care
💡Special Tips: Nylon is wrinkle resistant and quick drying, but avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight to prevent fading
Polyester :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Normal or delicate
🌈 Color separation: Separate white clothes from colored ones
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Machine dry on low heat or air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature if necessary
💡 Specific advice: Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun to prevent discoloration
Rayon :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or synthetic cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Dry flat or hang to air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with a protective cloth
💡Specific Tips: Rayon may shrink, check manufacturer's instructions and avoid excessive wringing
Silk :
🌡️ Washing temperature: Hand wash or machine wash with delicate program
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or silk cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate delicate colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a special detergent for silk
🧺 Pre-treating stains: Treat stains gently before washing
☀️ Drying: Dry flat or hang to air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with a protective cloth
💡 Specific advice: Avoid direct exposure to sunlight and chemicals to preserve the shine of the silk
Satin :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or synthetic cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Dry flat or hang to air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with a protective cloth
💡 Specific advice: Avoid direct exposure to sunlight and do not twist the satin to avoid permanent creases.
Spandex :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or synthetic cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Machine dry at low temperature or air dry
🔥 Ironing: Do not iron, as spandex may melt or deform with heat
💡Specific Tips: Avoid using fabric softeners as this can reduce the elasticity of the spandex
Tweed :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or synthetic cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Dry flat or hang to air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with a protective cloth
💡 Specific tips: Avoid twisting or stretching the tweed, as this can distort the fabric
Velvet :
🌡️ Washing temperature: Follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations
🔄 Washing program: Follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations
🌈 Color Separation: Separate colors if necessary
🧼 Use appropriate detergent: Use a mild detergent suitable for the fabric
🧺 Pre-treating stains: Treat stains carefully before washing
☀️ Drying: Follow the manufacturer's specific recommendations
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with a protective cloth if necessary
💡 Specific advice: Avoid rubbing or brushing the velvet vigorously to prevent flattening of the fibers
Corduroy :
🌡️ Washing temperature: 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or synthetic cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Machine dry at low temperature or air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with care on the reverse side of the fabric
💡Specific advice: Gently brush the corduroy in the direction of the ribs to maintain its appearance.
Viscose :
🌡️ Washing temperature : 30°C to 40°C
🔄 Washing program: Delicate or synthetic cycle
🌈 Color Separation: Separate Colors
🧼 Use proper detergent: Use a mild detergent
🧺 Stain Pre-Treatment: Treat Stains Before Washing
☀️ Drying: Dry flat or hang to air dry
🔥 Ironing: Iron at low temperature with a protective cloth
💡Specific advice: Viscose may wrinkle, avoid excessive wringing and ironing may be necessary to restore appearance
Here are the maintenance tips for the different types of fabrics. We hope you find this useful and we look forward to seeing you again soon for another article!