Washing clothes... what you need to know!
WOOL
Washing wool is really easy and many wool garments can be machine washed, meaning more time to do the things you enjoy. Wool garments should be washed on the wool setting (usually gentle action at 40°C). If your washing machine does not have a wool cycle, use the cold water wash or wash cycle for delicate. Use a neutral, mild detergent that is preferably Woolmark recommended. It is recommended that garments are flat dried after washing. You may even notice that your washing machine or tumble dryer has the Woolmark Apparel Care symbol on it, which means that your machine has passed rigorous and independent testing and has been approved by The Woolmark Company.
Why love wool!
- Wool improves indoor air quality.
- Wool is a renewable resource i.e. it can be used repeatedly because it’s replaced naturally.
- It’s breathable which is better for clothing. Synthetic materials tend to make us sweat.
- Safety! This amazing material is fire resistant and fire retardant.
COTTON
Check the label to see if machine washing, hand washing, or dry cleaning is best. If machine, use the appropriate wash cycle. Avoid fabrics softeners, as this can dull the finish. Wash in warm or cool water to prevent shrinking and fading. Use hot water carefully, as washing cotton in hot water can cause it to shrink. Cotton fabrics can be air-dried or machine dried using moderate-to-low heat. High heats can cause cotton fibers to shrink. Iron on high heat while fabric is slightly damp. Use steam as needed. Note that ironing can usually be avoided by air drying or removing immediately from the machine.
Why love cotton!
- Cotton is comfortable.
- Cotton is naturally sustainable.
- Cotton supports farmers and communities.
- You sleep better with cotton.
- Cotton is hypoallergenic.
- Cotton is odour-free.
- Cotton is low maintenance.
- Cotton isn’t clingy.
SILK
Your fabric care label can tell you a lot about the garment. If the label says “Dry Clean,” this is usually just a recommendation to take the item to a dry cleaner, but it’s best to gently hand wash the garment if you chose to wash it at home. “Dry Clean Only” on the other hand means that the piece of clothing is very delicate, and it’s safer to take it to a professional. Despite what you’ve heard, you can wash silk in a washing machine. However, it’s worth investing in a mesh bag to protect your delicate items from tangling or getting caught on other items during the wash. Follow the instructions for washing silk items in a washing machine.
Why love silk!
- Silk Slows Down Ageing
- Silk has this natural, cloud-like quality that makes you feel fresh. There’s just something about it that feels timeless, and this isn’t only in its texture. Silk amino acids, a natural nutrient found in the fabric, have been found to reduce specific signs of ageing, such as wrinkles.
- Silk Clothing Helps with Eczema and Asthma
- In most cases of atopic dermatitis, lifestyle changes have to be done to accommodate the necessities of sensitive skin.
- Natural Anti-Fungal Element
- It Helps Avoid Allergies
LINEN
Always wash your linen clothes on your machine’s gentle cycle. Your clothing should move freely. Do not crowd the washing machine with too many items at once. This can twist or pull the linen fabric out of shape. Make sure that any other items in the washing machine are similar to your linen clothes in terms of color, weight and washing instructions.
Why love linen!
- Strength durability. Linen is considered to be the strongest of all natural fibres, and it’s even been found to get stronger with washes!
- It’s a natural fibre with a lower environmental impact than cotton
Linen is made from the stalks of flax plants, which are resilient species that can grow in poor soils requiring very little if any fertilizer. Almost all of the flax plant can be used, and with the demand for flax seeds and oils increasing in the health food industry, there is very little to no wastage of the plants. Plus, being a natural fibre it’s also biodegradable. - Breathable and highly absorbent
As linen fibres are hollow they allow more airflow over your body than other materials. They are also highly absorbent, gaining up to 20% of their dry weight in moisture without feeling damp to touch. This makes linen perfect for sunny spells and warm getaways, helping you to keep cool and avoid embarrassing sweat patches! - Naturally, insect repelling
Yes, you read that correctly – linen is thought to naturally repel insects like moths, so you’re unlikely to find any unwanted bite marks when taking out your warm weather wardrobe! - It’s luxurious!
Flax plants must be pulled from the ground to maintain the full length of their fibres. The plants are then left in a field to soften, so that the fibres are easier to separate. Once extracted, the fibres are collected, rolled and stored for two to three months for further softening, before they are twisted and processed with a spinning technique. This lengthy process is why linen is considered to be one of the most luxurious natural fabrics and why linen is more expensive than other materials like cotton.
LYOCELL
The "green" fiber in the 21st century, made by processing natural ecological plants with a non-poisonous and environment friendly closedloop production technique, is an intelligently-made Longcell that can fully degrade in the natural environment
On laundry day, it's best to be cautious with lyocell. Washing by hand or dry cleaning are usually the safest options for how to wash lyocell fabric, as it is very delicate and can be damaged easily. If in doubt, check the label: specific lyocell care instructions for your garment should be listed there. This should let you know if yours should be dry-cleaned, hand-washed or if it can go in the machine; plus, there'll be guidance on tumble drying and ironing.
Why love lyocell!
- Superlative respiration
- Natural Green
- Skin friendly tenderness. Its smooth surface endows the fabric with the silky feel. The pendulous and graceful ready-to-wear garments, feeling smooth, soft and friendly to skin, are comparable to natural silk and even better in terms of visual effects and the sense of touch. What transcendence the tenderness is!
- Unique Brilliance. It is easy to dye due to its remarkable dyeing property, which, supplemented with its high color fastness, renders its products rich colors bright, splendid and extremely expressive, therefore, the products taking on incomparable elegant luster.
VISCOSE
Though viscose fabric is delicate, it's safe to wash it after every wearing if it's hand-washed. This is gentle enough to prevent damage, but it's essential never to wring or twist wet viscose. If you opt to use a washing machine, place your garment inside a mesh bag, wash in cold water, choose the gentle cycle and select the slowest spin speed.
Why love viscose!
- Viscose is a soft, versatile, and absorbent fabric, which is known for its silk-like texture. It resembles silk in appearance and is as such ideal for those looking for a luxurious feel and style to their clothes at a less high price. The fabric is less expensive and gives a rich look.
- It is breathable, just like cotton, making you feel comfortable, easy, and relaxed.
- It is dyed easily to give beautiful shades. It also holds the dye after prolonged use and wash without making it fade or look dull.
- When subjected to mild heat, the fibre of this fabric does not shrink. It is moisture-wicking.
- It blends well with most fibres. When blended with polyester, it gives polyviscose, and when it is mixed with cotton, cotton viscose is produced. When viscose is blended with spandex, the fabric offers good stretchability.
- It can be draped easily.
ELASTAN
ELASTAN® or SPANDEX. The exceptional elasticity of spandex fibers increases the clothing's pressure comfort, enhancing the ease of body movements. Pressure comfort is the response towards clothing by the human body's pressure receptors (mechanoreceptors present in skin sensory cell). The sensation response is affected mainly by the stretch, snug, loose, heavy, lightweight, soft, and stiff structure of the material. Machine washing spandex. Place spandex garments in a mesh washing bag. Use a mild detergent that contains no chlorine bleach. Wash on a ‘delicates’ cycle (a cool and gentle wash cycle) and ensure that you set the machine for a slow spin at the end of the cycle. Ironing spandex. Most garments containing spandex do not wrinkle when washed/dried properly. The general rule is to never iron garments that contain spandex. However, if ironing is absolutely necessary, iron on the lowest possible heat setting using smooth even pressure.
Why love elastan!
Elastic fabrics are an important route to achieve comfort by freedom of movement for body fitted with sports and outdoor wear.
SCOTCHGARD PROTECTOR 3M REPELLENT
- Protection for life’s possibilities tm
- Highly water resistant
- Helps keep fabric looking good longer
- Durable protection
- A water-repellent, cotton drill, fresh, comfortable and easy-to-wear fabric is our exclusive proposal for crew members’ uniforms.
PATENTED POLYMER TECHNOLOGY
SILVADUR™ uses a patented polymer technology to deliver silver ions via an “intelligent control” mechanism. When bacteria land on the surface of treated articles, the silver ions neutralize the unwanted organisms, resulting in effective microbe-derived protection. SILVADUR binds to bacterial DNA preventing replication, causing changes to the cellular membrane so it cannot function properly. SILVADUR antimicrobial technology is particle free & readily water-dilutable, forming phase stable & solids-free finishing bath solutions for easy & rapid processing of fabric when used appropriately. The product is dilutable in textile treatment baths & forms an insoluble interpenetrating polymer network with silver ions when applied to a fabric.
