Even though most of us understand the need to wash our clothes daily, not many consider that the way we care for them also impacts their longevity. Different types of fabrics have unique properties that require specific cleaning methods to keep them clean and new. With so many rules to follow to properly care for various fabrics, laundry can become a confusing task for some. To help you breeze through your laundry process, we share the proper methods for washing different materials and the best time to employ laundry services in Singapore.
How To Wash Different Types of Fabrics
1. Cotton
Harvested from the cotton plant, this fabric is one of the most popular and versatile fabrics for clothes. While cotton clothing can be machine washed in either hot or cold water settings with regular detergent, it is important to pay attention to the clothing care labels as well. This is because cotton often shrinks when exposed to high temperatures. As a result, if the clothing tag says ‘cold water only’, it’s best to do so to prevent shrinkage - especially for denim. In addition, it is also recommended to air-dry cotton fabrics as the heat from drying machines might cause them to shrink.
2. Linen
Linen, a fibre derived from the flax plant, has been used to manufacture garments, bed linen, and tablecloths since ancient times. As it is a lightweight fabric, it must be laundered on the gentlest setting in the washing machine to avoid the fibres losing their form, colour, or shrinking. Many linen goods are labelled as "dry-clean only" as dry-cleaning keeps the fabric's structural integrity and colour for a longer period of time. Since linen products are prone to wrinkles, it's also best to iron them inside out to restore their crispness.
3. Silk
A supple yet strong fabric that is harvested from silkworm cocoons, clothes made from silk have often been considered to be of the highest quality. However, silk goods can be difficult to maintain as the weave patterns can tighten and pucker, or the dye might fade easily during the washing process. As such, silk clothes should either be dry-cleaned or hand-washed whenever possible. Use a mild detergent when hand-washing silk clothes and air-dry them to prevent their fibres from distorting. In essence, silk is a high-maintenance fabric that is best cared for by a professional laundry service in Singapore.
4. Synthetic fibres
Synthetic fibres such as nylon, polyester, and spandex are extremely resilient and flexible fabrics. As a result, clothes made from synthetic fibres are machine washable, requiring only warm water and regular detergent. However, do take note that polyester and spandex may lose their shape under high heat, so it is best to air-dry them and iron them using low heat settings. Nowadays, many garments are made with a combination of synthetic and natural fibres. For such clothing, it is recommended that you follow the care label instructions to ensure that they are kept in good condition.
Keeping Your Fabrics In Tip-Top Condition
Taking care of your clothes can keep them in great condition whilst allowing you to enjoy them for a longer time. And while all fabrics deserve the proper care, delicate ones like linen and silk require even more attention. As not all of us have the time or energy to clean our clothes the right way, engaging a professional laundry service like The Laundry Club Singapore can ease your mind off your laundry needs. With over 20 years of experience, you can trust that our expert staff will provide you with quality laundry and dry cleaning services at affordable prices. Contact us today to learn more.