It’s the comfortable and breathable fabric everyone loves.
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Cotton clothes are comfortable, breathable, and durable.
However, 100 percent cotton needs more care to stay looking their best.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
Frequent washing and drying at high temperatures can cause someshrinkageand wrinkling.
Garment fibers react differently when treated withstain removal productsand during laundering.
If your clothes are only lightly soiled, any detergent is hand- and machine-safe for cotton fabrics.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
go for the Water Temperature
Read clothing labels for guidance.
Otherwise, warm or cool water is best to prevent shrinkage, stretching, andcolor bleeding.
Cold water helps prevent bright or darker colors from fading.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
Underwear, socks, and pajamas should be washed in hot water to remove dirt and bacteria.
Washer cycles can run from 10 to 45 minutes.
choose the Drying Time
Use the permanent press or low dryer temperature setting.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
Over-drying cotton could cause some shrinkage and excessive wrinkling.
Cotton can also be dried on an outdoor clothesline orindoor drying rack.
Tip
Most cotton fabrics need very little ironing if removed from the dryer while slightly damp.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
Take them out of the dryer halfway and give them a slight tug to gently stretch them out.
This method removes minor wrinkles and prevents shrinkage.
While cotton is washable, some clothes or accessories have non-washable materials that provide structure and shape.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
Cotton clothing can be fragile, requiring a delicate machine cycle or hand-wash.
Always checkcare labelsfor specific washing instructions.
Some items, like dark cotton jeans, slacks, or blazers, may have a dry-cleaning-only tag.
The Spruce / Ana-Maria Stanciu
Trust the tags instructions and go to a professional cleaner.
Treating Stains on Cotton Clothes
Avoid undiluted chlorine bleach.
It can weaken fibers and cause holes in cotton fabric.
Instead, use a diluted solution on cotton or cellulosic fibers for stain removal and whitening.
Always follow the directions on the bleach label carefully.
you could also try anoxygen-based bleach, which works more slowly than chlorine.
Allow the fabrics to soak for at least one hour for the best results.
It’s always best to read the product labels and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Cotton Clothing Care and Repairs
Despite its durability, cotton clothing is prone to rips and tears.
If you’re comfortable with sewing, repair simple rips using a needle and cotton thread.
you’ve got the option to take more complex work to a tailor.
How to Prevent Cotton Clothes from Shrinking
To prevent shrinkage, avoid high temperatures.
Wash cooler water whenever possible.
Dry on low heat or air dry the clothes on a rack or clothesline.
It’s largely a myth that cotton shrinks in cold water.
To keep your clothing in good shape, always read the label for proper laundering directions.
If there’s no label, it’s safe to use cool or lukewarm water for washing cotton items.
Poplin is a popular plain weave cotton fabric used indress shirtsand other garments.
Poplin is machine-washable and easy to maintain.
All it needs is a short tumble-dry cycle and it should be wrinkle-free.
The Fabric of Our Lives, Cotton Incorporated.
