How to Wash Polyester Clothes and Items

If the thought of how to wash polyester lingers on your mind, it is probably because you have several garments in the house that need some cleaning. In general, polyester is one of the easiest fabrics to wash but the key to undertaking the procedure efficiently is understanding the features of the fabric.

What is Polyester?

 Polyester is a one of the fabrics that are commonly used to make clothes, upholstery and mattress pads. In its purest form (100% polyester), the material is generated in the laboratory through a chemical reaction that involves water, air and petroleum.

It is used in its diverse manufacturing processes alone, or blended with fabrics such as cotton, wool, linen, rayon and spandex. On its own, polyester is widely accepted because it has a wide range of favorable features.

The Strengths of Polyester

Firstly, it does not lose its shape after washing and wearing: There are many fabrics that overstretch after washing and wearing thereby losing their original shape and size. Polyester maintains its original shape under these circumstances unless subjected to extreme heat conditions for shrinkage purposes.

Polyester is resistant to fading or color bleeding: Unlike some fabrics that begin to release color immediately after they are dipped in water, polyester maintains its original color even after washing in a solution of warm water and regular detergent.

Lightweight: Polyester is excellent for everyday wear because it is lightweight. It can be easily worn throughout the day without creating discomfort.

Does not crease: In most cases, polyester maintains a wrinkle-free appearance even after it is washed, wringed and stored inappropriately. It rarely requires ironing or other elaborate shape maintenance efforts. However you can try the de-wrinkling methods provided if the need to remove wrinkles arises

Good resistance to molding: Polyester shows strong resistance to mold, mildew, insects, sunlight, wear and tear, chemicals and abrasion when compared to many other fabrics.

Dries quickly: Polyester loses moisture easily and this benefit is enhanced by the fact that it also highly resistant sun damage.

Beautiful silky-like appearance: High quality polyester is sometimes confused with silk because of its smooth feel and shinny appearance.

The Weaknesses of Polyester

Just like other materials, polyester have some unlike features that can push people away.

Retaining stains: Although it is easy to remove water-based stains from polyester fabric, it has the potential to retain oil and grease-based stains. Use an appropriate stain treatment method if you are faced with the latter.

Absorbs body odors: Naturally, the human body releases sweat and perspiration odors. Garments made of polyester are prone to absorbing these odors and body oils.

Attracts lint: Although hardly, polyester can attract link or begin to peel if it is not cared for properly.

Melts: Polyester can melt under extreme heat conditions because it is synthetic polymer.

How to Wash Polyester

All polyester garments come with a permanent care label that provides clear instructions for washing and proper handling. It is always important to follow the guidelines because the manufacturer as a better understanding of the fabric’s composition. However, if the care label is not there, the common knowledge is that most polyester garments can be hand or machine washed.

Handwashing

Handwashing is an easy and convenient method for washing polyester. It provides room for washing each item at a time thereby paying action to stains, collars, armpits and all the areas that require special attention.

 Tools and Supplies

• Wash basin/ bath tub
• Regular Detergent
• Stain Remover
• Dry oxygen bleach (Optional)
• Warm water
• Clothesline or drying rack

Instructions

Step 1: Pretreat stains. Inspect your garment and use a stain remover to pretreat stains. Since polyester absorbs perspiration odors and body oils, focus on areas such as armpits and collars. Spray the stained area with the stain remover solution and set the clothes aside for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Presoak white clothes in a solution of warm water and dry oxygen bleach to remove stains and make them appear brighter.

Step 3: Add warm water and regular detergent into a wash basin. Use hands to cycle the mixture until it becomes cloudy. Add clothes in the basin and ensure that they are properly soaked. Soak white clothes separately so that they can retain their bright appearance.

Step 4: Clean each piece gently with hands until all the dirt is removed.

Step 5: Drain out the dirty water and use cool water to rinse out excess soap.

Step 6: Turn the clothes inside out and hang them on a clothesline or drying rack to dry.

How to Clean Polyester with a Washing Machine

When using a machine to wash polyester, it is important to separate white clothes from the colored ones. Another fundamental measure is to turn all the clothes inside out so that all the delicate areas can remain intact after the cycle is completed.

Tools and Supplies

• Regular Detergent
• Stain Remover
• Dry oxygen bleach (Optional)
• Clothesline/ drying rack
• Dryer

Instructions

Step 1: Pretreat Stains. Just like with handwashing, begin by using a stain remover to pretreat stains. If dealing with white clothes, add bleach to water and presoak the clothes for 15-30 minutes.

Step 2: Load garments into the washing machine, add detergent and choose the permanent press option for your cycle. The permanent press setting washes your clothes in warm water and allows them to rinse in cold water.

Step 3: Transfer the clothes into a dryer and choose a normal or permanent press cycle. Alternatively, hang the clothes on a rack or clothesline for air or sun-drying.