Understanding Types of Fabrics and How to Clean Them

Fabric care is an essential yet woefully overlooked part of our lives. If you have been wondering lately why your silk pillowcases seem stretched out or the cotton shirt has permanent stains, it’s likely you’re stuffing everything in the same wash cycle without looking into water temp, wash setting, and the necessary intervention of a Dubai laundry services company. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common types of fabrics that make up clothing and household items, and how to clean them.

Different Types of Fabrics: Material, Cleaning, and Care

You’ve mastered the usual must-knows of cleaning your clothes and linens. Separating colors, using a quality detergent, and so on. Yes, without tackling one of the common laundry mistakes, which is not cleaning according to fabric type, you’re setting yourself up for despair over quickly worn-out belongings. Let’s delve into the cleaning process of the natural, synthetic, and special fabrics you use and clean often.

1. Cotton

Cotton is perfect for your summer wear and a popular fabric choice because it is flexible and allows air to flow easily. That said, you need to pay heed to washing and drying to ensure the lasting integrity of your cotton stuff.

You can choose handwash or machine-wash for cotton. Plus, the fabric is tough enough to handle regular wash cycles. Go for a mild detergent for wash after stain removal to deal with spills that can cling onto this fabric.

Steer clear of hot water when you wash cotton to make sure that there is minimal to no shrinkage. Consider getting the fabric cleaned by the pros rather than resorting to harsh detergents for stubborn stains on cotton.

2. Linen

You can easily tell linen apart from the rest as it is a light fabric with a natural appearance, plus a breezy flow that makes it a superb choice for both summer clothes and home textiles. You can also choose a thicker variety of linen with dense fibers for comfy clothing for fall weather. That said, it is vital to know that linen tends to crease easily unlike different types of fabrics that you wear.

The great thing about having linen clothing and household fabrics at hand is that you can use hand-washing or machine-washing according to your convenience. However, the gentle setting is the way to go for a washing machine, along with lukewarm water and mild detergent. Don’t dry your linen belongings all the way, and iron the dampness out to end up with wrinkle-free and smooth fabrics.

3. Silk

Silk is a delicate fabric that people love for the feel of luxury, plus it is the strongest natural fabric. Your silks may also just be the most challenging material to clean compared to most types of fabrics!

Cautious handling is the key to keeping your silk clothes and other items in great condition. Improper cleaning makes the fabric tighten or pucker, one of the many reasons to hire professional dry cleaners for silk. Hand wash only if you opt to clean silk at home and use cold water with a mild detergent.

Gently rub the fabric and do not wring it in any way that damages the fabric weave. Rinse your silk items well and press out any excess water with a clean towel. Finally, air dry by laying the silks flat on a clean surface so that you can preserve the look.

4. Polyester

Polyester takes the lead in the synthetic variety in common types of fabric for clothes and other daily-use belongings. The fabric’s resistance to wrinkles and ability to dry quickly makes it ideal in the fashion industry.

You need to pay attention to the water temperature and products used when handling polyester fabric. It is fine if you go for machine-washing polyester clothing in warm water, but steer clear of chemical fabric softeners and bleach. Dry your polyester clothing by machine on a low heat setting, though air drying is better for longevity.

5. Nylon

Yes, nylon is a part of your everyday clothing if you frequently use hosiery and sportswear. You will see on the fabric label that it usually has different types of fabrics for clothing and household items. However, it is vital to know which cleaning method is safe for nylon itself even when you have blended fabrics.

Go for machine washing nylon items in warm water with a mild detergent with a gentle cycle to minimize agitation. Steer clear of bleach or fabric softeners that will ruin the strength of fibers in your nylon clothing and make the clothing rougher in t eh long run as well.

6. Wool

There is rarely anyone who does not own at least one item of clothing that it made out of wool. It is necessary that you adhere to expert advice about cleaning various types of fabric, wool is a leading example. Its warmth makes it a common choice in many of your winter clothing items which need careful cleaning.

Dry cleaning is often a good choice for wool, especially when you own something  that is high-value and you don’t want it ruined after just one wash!

Since not drying well can make wool susceptible to bacterial growth, know that dry cleaning prevents the spread of germs. Don’t let the ‘sturdy’ look make you believe that the fabric in woolen clothes and home items is tough.

Ensure Fabric Care with Professional Services

Proper cleaning is a winning step for a vibrant look and longevity no matter which types of fabrics you have. Expert laundry and dry-cleaning services can come to your rescue if you are unsure about cleaning certain fabrics or there’s an excessive laundry load with no time for fabric care! The team at Maham Laundry adopts suitable and proven cleaning methods and products to keep your fabrics in excellent condition. Book a pickup today and achieve peace of mind knowing that your belongings are in the hands of seasoned experts.