A few fabrics can withstand rough cleaning or hot ironing, while others cannot. Clothes are temperamental, while buying, find the fabric composition, read the label or ask the shopkeeper. A little know how on handling basic fabrics are all that’s required to keep your outfits intact. So here we tell you, how to handle your fabrics with care:
• Cotton: It’s water absorbent. You can bleach whites lightly but not treated, printed or colored cottons. Before washing a vegetable dyed outfit for the first time, test its colorfastness, wet a small corner, rub and see if it bleeds. Always soak in cold or tepid water. If needed, add some salt or white vinegar and let the color bleed. Dry in shade and iron with hot steam.
• Silk: It’s divine and strong. A steel filament of the same diameter can break. It can be dyed easily, dries well and has good absorbency. Except a few, most silks can be hand washed. A gentle non-alkaline, non-staining shampoo can be used. Before drying, don’t wring but roll in a towel. Iron on low temperature. And more over, dry cleaner suggests that don’t use rice starch for silk saris because it attracts insects, instead get them dry cleaned before storing.
• Wool: It has yarns with serrations and curled fibers that create air pockets, the cause for insulation. It has high elasticity, is flame resistant and has high moisture absorbing quality. But if you plan to wash it at home, use a mild liquid detergent. After washing, dry it flat. It can be steam pressed at moderate temperature.
• Linen: It’s cool but difficult to maintain. Linen has poor elasticity, wrinkles easily, can be dyed well and doesn’t fade quickly. It can tolerate high temperature. Wash, wring gently and dry in shade. While ironing, open the collars and hems as prolonged or repeated folding can cause the yarns to break.
• Ramie, hemp and flax: They’re not expensive as linen, have high water absorbing properties and dry quickly. Usually, ramie has a tad more sheen than linen. And hemp crinkles easily. Treat them the way you would treat linen. But during machine wash, place the garments in a lingerie bag.
• Leather: The natural oils on leather evaporate with dry cleaning, which can make leather hard and brittle. Get it cleaned by an expert. It’s better to go for branded pieces. And if you own outfits with leather patches, lightly brush and fold them ina way that the patch is covered.
• Denim: It is formed by interlacing indigo and cotton yarns. Denim is easy to maintain. The more it is washed, the better it gets. Wash it in cold or lukewarm water.
• Velvet: It’s made from rayon or acetate. Ideally, it should be dry cleaned.
• Nylon: A lightweight synthetic fabric that is used in hosiery and veils. It is semi-elastic, smooth, non- absorbent and a quick dry. White nylon discolors, so wash it separately and bleach once in a while.
• Lace: An intricate pattern made of synthetic or natural yarns. It is either stitched on a base or is a cut out. If handled poorly, lace can stretch and lose its shape. Usually it needs dry cleaning.
• Knits: They’re formed by loops, sometimes have elastic components, absorb water and trap air. Your tees and sports clothing are knitted. Wash them in cold water, don’t scrub or hot press. Apply light iron on low heat. Tress the stress points with care.