Many housewives wonder whether it is possible to wash polyester in an automatic washing machine or whether it is better to do it manually. First you need to understand what this fabric is.
Polyester-based fabrics are used to produce a wide variety of clothing
Polyester is one of the most popular materials used in the production of fabrics for outerwear, underwear, various textiles and more. It is synthesized by oil refining using modern technologies. Therefore, polyester must be washed under certain conditions.
Features of the material
If the technology for manufacturing artificial fibers is followed, high-quality fabric is obtained. It is odorless and does not shed. Casual and outerwear, underwear, bags and textile products are made from it.
The material has the following properties:
- Ease.
- Low price.
- Synthetic fibers do not harbor moths and other insects.
- Does not absorb odors.
- It tolerates exposure to high and low temperatures well and protects against ultraviolet rays.
- High strength, resistance to friction and stretching, wear resistance.
- Ease of processing when making things.
- Easy to care for, synthetic items wash well, dry quickly, and are easy to iron.
- Fabrics retain their original color for a long time and do not fade.
- Water-repellent properties.
- Does not stretch, retains its shape after numerous washes.
All of the above properties are preserved only with proper use. When overheated, clothes can become deformed, and if the ironing regime is not followed, wrinkles can form that will be impossible to get rid of in the future.
Negative aspects of the material:
- Electrification. Static electricity accumulates in polyester fiber; the lightweight fabric sticks to the skin and attracts dust and other small particles.
- Cheap material that was not manufactured according to technology can cause allergies.
- The fabric does not dye well.
- Due to the high density, the clothes are uncomfortable to wear in hot weather.
- When exposed to bleaches, the fiber is destroyed.
Features and properties of polyester
Polyester is found as a single or mixed fiber. It can rightfully be called the most popular synthetic fabric, because it is not only included in clothing, but is also a material for the manufacture of plastic containers, badges and other products. It is produced in three types: fiber, film and plastic.
The main component of polyester is compounds from petroleum. The fiber feels like fabric, and it is often difficult for the average buyer to distinguish this synthetic material from wool, silk or even cotton.
The latest technologies for processing raw materials, as well as mixing fibers, help achieve such an exact similarity.
There are several types of polyester threads:
- monofilament;
- volumetric;
- staple;
- textured;
- filamentous.
Constant improvement in the quality of polyester gradually eliminates the disadvantages of the fabric, including:
- poor breathability;
- roughness of the material to the touch;
- heavy staining;
- possible content of harmful substances released into the air or water during washing.
However, polyester has many advantages.
This synthetic fabric is known for its durability and can last for many years. In addition, it does not stretch or deform when worn, is easy to wash and is not subject to pilling. Lining for outerwear is often made from polyester, because this dense material does not allow moisture to pass through and has enviable heat resistance. It is difficult to say which is better - polyester or natural fabrics. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, significant for some and not at all important for others.
Is polyester washable?
Since there is a huge amount of clothing made of 100% polyester on the market, the question arises of how to properly care for such things. Not only can they be washed, but they must be washed. If all requirements are met, such things will last quite a long time.
There are universal requirements that apply to all things. The care instructions for each item are indicated on the label attached to it. The washing mode (manual or machine), the maximum permissible temperature of water and iron are indicated.
The powder must match the color of the fabric. An all-purpose detergent is suitable for white clothes, and a detergent for colored clothes is suitable for dark clothes. There are powders that have an antistatic effect. After using the rinse aid, things become soft and elastic; they do not need to be ironed.
In what cases is it not possible?
Absolutely all polyester items can be washed. If you follow the care instructions, this will not harm the fiber.
Manual laundering method
If the manufacturer does not recommend machine washing, the jacket should be washed by hand. This is not a very difficult process, because polyester washes well even with minimal impact. The main thing is not to neglect the rules (do not use strong chemicals in the form of bleach, observe the recommended thermal regime). If you have any doubts about how to properly wash a down jacket or a polyester jacket, you should take as a basis the recommendations from the manufacturer indicated on the product label:
- Before you start washing, you should prepare the down jacket: check all the pockets, unfasten the collar, hood, fur, belt.
- If there are stains or very dirty places (sleeves, pockets, floors), wash them with laundry soap.
- Soak the jacket in a container of warm water and hand wash detergent and leave for 15-20 minutes.
- Wash the jacket, paying special attention to the most contaminated areas.
- Rinse the product in several waters, adding fabric softener to one of them.
- The jacket should be wrung out a little, without using twisting movements, so that the filling is not damaged.
- Dry outdoors without direct sunlight.
Temperature
If the label is missing any instructions, or is cut off and lost, there are general recommendations that apply to all polyester products. You can wash items made from synthetic thread at a temperature of 40°C. To ensure that the front side of the fabric undergoes changes to a lesser extent, things are turned inside out.
If the item only needs to be refreshed and there are no traces of dirt on it, then water heated to about 20-25°C will do. In colder water, it becomes difficult to use the powder, since it will not dissolve and will not show its cleaning properties.
Contraindications for care
In order for the fabric to retain its visual appeal and strength for a long time, it is prohibited:
boil or wash things at temperatures above 40. High temperatures destroy the structure of the fibers and deform the fabric;- treat products with harsh detergents containing chlorine, various bleaches or stain removers;
- twist by hand or use high spin speeds when machine washing;
- dry in the sun, hot radiators or other heat sources.
How to wash by hand?
Since polyester items are easy to wash, you can easily handle them with your hands.
Basic Rules:
- The water temperature should not exceed the limit specified by the manufacturer. Since it is difficult to control this indicator with your hands, you can use a bathing thermometer for convenience.
- Use a soft cloth to wipe away stains. It is forbidden to rub the fabric, subject it to sudden jerks, or use brushes, all this can damage the fibers.
- Things don't wring out. Heavy items can be placed on a flat surface, and light ones can be hung on hangers. The water will drain quickly and remain smooth after drying.
If you need to get rid of the smell of sweat or other foreign odors from an item, it is not necessary to use powder. Just soak it and rinse it in conditioner.
At what temperature should I wash?
One of the worst enemies of synthetic materials is too hot water. After such an unsuccessful wash, the fabric will be damaged in the form of fiber splitting, which will completely erase all its beauty. Moreover, low-quality polyester clothing can shrink by several centimeters at high temperatures, which can become critical for the future wearing of this clothing.
The optimal temperature for washing is between 20° and 30°C. If serious washing is not required, then the item can simply be lightly rinsed in cool water 10°C with conditioner. But under no circumstances should you throw it into water at 40°C or higher.
How to wash in a washing machine?
Before washing the product in the machine, you need to make sure that there are no prohibiting symbols on the label. You can only load items of one color into the drum.
Basic Rules:
- Delicate items are packed in washing covers.
- Stains are removed manually in advance.
- If there is light contamination, pre-soaking is used.
- A gentle powder is selected that matches the color of the product.
- The optimal mode is delicate or manual.
- The maximum number of revolutions for spinning is 800.
- Rinse with conditioner.
- To make things dry faster, you can put them on a terry towel.
Modes
The washing mode is indicated on the product, usually delicate or manual. If the washing machine has a separate mode for sports items, then it can also be used. If there is no heavy soiling, you can use a quick wash.
How to remove stains?
Difficult stains are treated in advance. The pre-detergent is tested on an inconspicuous area of the fabric to test fiber strength and dye fastness. If the paint is not durable, then stain removers are not used; they are replaced with a soap solution.
Store-bought stain removers should not contain chlorine. The selected substance is applied to the stain and rubbed in with the back of a spoon. Its smooth surface will not allow the fabric to deform.
To remove stains from polyester, you can use folk remedies:
- wet the contaminated area, apply table salt to it, which will gradually absorb the dirt;
- Apply a 10% borax solution to colored clothing using a cotton pad, and use citric acid or natural lemon juice to neutralize it.
How to dry and iron correctly
After washing, it is important how to straighten the jacket. The product must be turned inside out, including the sleeves. Start drying. This is done in a well-ventilated place, in the shade. Jackets with down and feather insulation should be dried flat. It is recommended to dry clothes with holofiber on racks. If ironing is necessary, do not heat the iron too high (maximum 120 degrees). It's better to try in an inconspicuous place.
General Tips
To summarize, we can highlight the general rules:
- maintaining a temperature regime of 40°C;
- using delicate or manual mode;
- spin no more than 800 rpm;
- using detergents according to the color of the fabric;
- lack of chlorine in the detergent;
- using covers for delicate items;
- no manual twisting;
- using air conditioning.
Subtleties of washing polyester items
Not all items behave the same after washing, especially for outerwear or delicate items. Next we will talk about the features of washing some things.
Coat
Polyester coats can be machine washed using the delicate or synthetic cycle. The optimal water temperature is 30°C. To thoroughly rinse the powder out of a thick cloth, use an additional rinse. The coat is dried on a hanger and then steamed using a damp cloth. If there are natural fibers in the fabric, it is not recommended to wash it frequently to avoid pilling.
Jacket
The rules for washing a jacket are similar to coats. Before loading into the drum, the pockets are checked, decorative elements are unfastened, and the jacket is turned inside out. If there is a filler, special products such as “Weasel” or “Vorsinka” are used. The volume of the product will allow you to preserve the air conditioner. To prevent the product from becoming wrinkled, a minimum number of spin speeds is used.
Down jacket
If the jacket has natural feather inside, it can also be machine washed. However, there are some features:
- Only liquid powder is used;
- the thing does not get out;
- an additional rinse with conditioner is used;
- the down jacket is dried on hangers;
- Every few hours the product needs to be shaken to fluff up;
- After drying, the down jacket should hang upside down for some time to maintain its shape.
Dress
Dresses and other lightweight clothing can be washed either by hand or in the washing machine; it is important to follow the instructions on the label. Temperature conditions up to 60°C are allowed. Items are sorted by color and the delicate mode is set. If there are stains, the product is pre-soaked to prevent wrinkles from appearing; the dress is not wrung out.
Thermal underwear
To prevent thermal underwear from losing its properties, it also needs to be washed following several rules. The maximum water temperature is 40°C. Linen is washed inside out; no stain removers, solvents, or chlorine-containing products are used; thermal underwear is not dry-cleaned. After washing, the product is wrung out, but not twisted. Drying is done away from sunlight and heat sources.
Blanket
Washing a blanket with synthetic filling can easily ruin its shape. You can wash the blanket in the machine if its capacity is more than 5 kg. Only liquid powder is used and the delicate mode is set. Additional rinsing will be required, the number of spin speeds used is minimal. After washing, the blanket is laid out on a smooth surface and periodically turned over to dry evenly. If the blanket is oversized, then it is washed in the bathroom by hand, pre-soaking for 15 minutes is required, then the fabric is cleaned with a soft sponge.
How to dry?
Polyester dries quickly, especially if you hang the product in a draft. Synthetic items should not be hung in the sun or near heating appliances. During push-ups, pressing movements are used; twisting the product is not recommended. If you squeeze the fabric, it may leave creases that are difficult to iron out. It is best to let the water drain naturally by hanging the item on hangers or pat it dry with a terry towel.
