A Guide about Machine Washable & Non-Machine Washable Fabrics
There are many different fabrics people use and wear in their daily lives. Some of them require extra time to remove stains which can only be done by washing machine while other fabrics can be cleaned by hand wash. So, first, let’s have a look at the clothes that are machine washable fabrics:
- Cotton
- Nylon
- Spandex
- Polyester
On the contrary, there are some other types of fabrics as well which are best to be hand washed, because if you put them in the washing machine then it’ll sustain serious damage. So, let’s see what they are:
- Linen
- Wool
- Silk
- Rayon
So, without any delays, let’s read in detail about machine-washable fabrics and non-machine-washable fabrics:
Machine Washable Fabrics
Cotton
The most demanding and popular fabrics people prefer is cotton as it can be worn under all weather conditions and the interesting part is that the fabric won’t get shrunk so you can wear them for a longer period.
The benefit of cotton fabric is that you can wash it with any detergent and must be washed in a washing machine because of its durability. Remember that, if your fabric is white, then you can use regular bleach, but if it’s colored, then using a color-protected bleach is the best option.
Polyester
After cotton, the second and most comfortable outfit is polyester and of course, it needs special care to be long-lasting and one of them is washing it in a machine. Unlike cotton, polyester is best to be washed in cool or warm water.
Keep in mind that if your shirt has a design on the front, then it would be best to disclose the inner part of your clothes while putting them in the washing machine to limit the chances of fabric getting damaged.
Also Read: How to keep clothes smelling fresh
Nylon
A fabric like nylon is very sensitive and requires extra care while washing and it’s best to use cold water during the process. But, if you’re uncertain you can check the label of your fabric or can contact a professional laundry service to know more about machine washable dresses.
Keep in mind that you can use any detergent you want except chlorine bleach as it’ll damage the fabric. To put it in simple words, nylon is vulnerable to bleach that contains chlorine.
Spandex
Spandex or elastane is another fabric that can only be washed in a washing machine because they are stretchable and long-lasting. Remember to use cold water for washing it and dry it using an air-dry whenever possible. Using a mesh bag is a great option as it’ll protect your fabric from twisting and over-stretching.
Please note that, avoid using chlorine bleach as it can damage the color of the fabric. Instead, you can use baking soda and cold water to get the result you’re expecting from the machine wash.
Non-Machine Washable Fabrics
Linen
When people ask what fabrics are not machine washable? The first fabric that comes to mind is linen. However, it’s best to avoid washing this fabric in a washing machine because it can easily shrink. So, it would be better to wash linen by hand as it requires less water compared to machine wash.
Just remember to use cold or lukewarm water while washing your clothes and if you want, you can add a fabric softener as well to enhance the washing quality and get your outfits in an original state.
Wool
Wool is the best fabric to wear in the winter season but can be troublesome when it comes to washing. As the fabric from the outer side is soft, you should avoid washing the machine to wash it.
Instead, you can just apply an air dryer to remove all the dust particles and wear them again. That’s because the wool fabric is durable and hardly gets stain marks.
However, if it gets to the point where it needs to be washed, then you can simply wash it by hand or use a mesh bag to keep it furs protected before throwing it into the washer.
Also Read: Tips and tricks about how to hand wash
Silk
When it comes to luxurious fabric, silk is the first recommendation you’ll get from everyone. Its fabric is soft and comfortable to wear, so it requires special care as well.
Always read the label first, for example, if the label of your fabric says “dry clean only” then you should put your clothes in dry clean. If the label says hand wash, then wash your clothes by hand.
The reason for not putting silk in the washing machine is simple, it is the fabric itself. Its soft texture cannot withstand the rotation in the washing machine and the chances are high that it’ll tear your clothes.
Rayon
Rayon, a fabric formed from a material called wood pulp, the same material found in the formation of paper. Surely, the washing of rayon fabrics is much more complex than you think.
As it can shrink on more water access and tend to fade away, then washing them by hand in the required cold water is the right way to go or you can simply get it dry cleaned. So, always remember that rayon falls under the category of non-machine washable fabrics.
Final Thoughts
All the fabric types are amazing and perfect to wear, you can separate them according to the event, for example, wearing cotton regularly and putting the silk fabric for attending functions and parties.
But when it comes to washing them, each fabric has its requirements. For instance, cotton can be washed in a washing machine but rayon needs to be washed by hand as it can shrink or fade away if washed in the washing machine. So always check the label of the outfit to confirm whether they’re machine washable fabrics or not.
However, if you have any questions, then you can contact Love2Laundry to get the much-needed answer. As the most experienced laundry service provider, we assure you that you’ll get the best outcome by following our guides.
