Things made of cotton are very comfortable and in demand all year round. The natural material has a huge number of advantages, but at the same time there are also peculiarities in terms of use and cleaning, so it will certainly not be superfluous to remind you how to wash cotton so that clothes, tablecloths with curtains and all other items made of cotton fabric can last a long time , did not lose their appearance and properties.
Cotton is a natural material, extracted from the pericarp fibers of the cotton plant and is a hollow tube made of cellulose twisted along the axis, which makes it even stronger. The thickness of cotton fiber is approximately 20 microns, and the length can vary from 5-20 mm (down, lint, fluff) and up to 20-60 mm (cotton fiber). It is used to create a large range of fabrics and materials.
Preparation for washing
Given the characteristics of the material, the presence of dyes and the fact that cotton shrinks during washing, if you do not follow simple rules during drying, you should carefully approach the choice of washing mode and the selection of washing powder and other products. Therefore, the division by main characteristics comes first. So you can accurately separate those things that can be washed together, observing the optimal mode.
The sorting order is as follows:
- White and colorless;
- Colored.
And then by type of fabric:
- Strong, thick, homespun cotton fabrics;
- Thin cotton fabric (tulle, chintz, veil, muslin);
- Velvet, flannel and other fabrics with nachos and a complex structure.
Cotton itself is a unique natural material, for which the optimal cleaning mode is at 130°C with the use of a wide variety of detergents, except for the most aggressive solvents and oxidizers. Except that the use of chlorine-containing powders and bleaches is not recommended now. Instead, it is more effective to use oxygen bleaches, which were discussed in this article . However, the presence of dyes and the desire to preserve the appearance of things force the use of significantly lower temperatures. Therefore, it is necessary to sort and choose a specific mode in order to wash cotton without special consequences.
Thin fabrics are more prone to shrinkage and require a certain approach during drying, so they are also separated into a separate group.
Velvet, flannel, bika require care so as not to spoil the combing and appearance after washing, which is discussed here .
Washing white cotton materials
- Temperature – from 40 to 95oC;
- With pre-soaking for particularly dirty things;
- Washing powders with bleach, oxygen bleaches, chlorine-containing;
- Full washing mode;
- Double rinsing is preferable;
- Push-ups at maximum speed;
- Automatic drying at a temperature of up to 60°C.
White dense cotton fabrics are the least picky about the washing regime, especially when it comes to how to wash 100% cotton without adding synthetics. For them, you can choose a washing temperature of up to 95 oC with the addition of oxygen bleaches and some chlorine-containing ones. Spinning can be set to a maximum speed of up to 1400 rpm. However, the drying mode, if the machine has it, can be applied to those things where it is allowed by the manufacturer. Otherwise, it is better to refrain from this, to do everything manually.
With maximum spinning, cotton items usually come out of the machine only slightly damp, you can immediately proceed to ironing, which will smooth the fabric better and finally dry it.
Washing colored clothes
- Temperature – from 30 to 65 ° C (according to the manufacturer’s requirements);
- With pre-soaking in case of heavy pollution;
- Washing powders for colored clothes;
- Full washing mode;
- Double rinsing;
- Push-ups at 600-800 revolutions per minute;
- Without automatic drying.
For colored items, it is advisable to strictly limit the temperature at which cotton should be washed. Even the most resistant chemical colors cannot withstand temperatures above 65 °C. Therefore, it is better to wash them at 40-45 °C, because it is quite difficult to determine the type of color by eye.
You can check in advance whether the material is dyed or not, whether it will shed. To do this, a rag or a corner dipped in a hot soapy solution is wiped against a clean white material. If there is a color mark left, then during washing, the cotton will definitely fade if you set a very high temperature. With such materials, you need to pre-fix the color or wash the new thing separately by hand the first few times.
Detergents are chosen only for colored materials, without bleaches. It is better to perform push-ups at average values of revolutions, up to 800 rpm. Machine drying is not recommended, it is better to hang them on clotheslines or shoulders, where they will dry completely.
How to handle thin cotton fabrics
- Temperature – 40-65 °C;
- With pre-soaking;
- Washing powders with or without bleach, depending on the presence of color;
- Delicate washing mode without reducing time;
- Simple rinsing;
- Push-ups at 600 rpm;
- Without automatic drying.
Fine fabrics, regardless of whether they are white or not, are spun at a temperature not higher than 65 °C, otherwise cotton will settle after washing. Do not use a tumble dryer either. For thin materials, it is necessary to apply some tricks for drying so that the appearance and texture are not spoiled, especially this applies to lace materials.
It is best to limit yourself to hand washing for lace items. Pre-soaking in hot water with the addition of washing powder for 5-6 hours will help get rid of dirt. Lace and handkerchiefs can be soaked separately in cold salt water. At the same time, the lace will keep its shape, and the handkerchiefs will be easier to wash. After that, it is enough to wash lightly with washing powder or in a simple soapy solution, without much zeal, and rinse thoroughly so that no detergent remains. Instead of wringing, it is better to choose basic water by slightly squeezing the thing.
Velvet, flannel and other fabrics with nachos and a complex structure
- Hand wash only, unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer;
- Temperature – 40-65oC;
- Soap solution, washing powders, conditioners for cotton;
- No locking, no twisting;
- Drying in a spread form.
A huge number of fabrics are made of cotton with nachos or long pile, thick, but at the same time soft. They are very pleasant to the touch and are ideal for sewing clothes or upholstery for upholstered furniture. However, they require a special approach to washing. Velvet cannot be machine washed at all, otherwise it will lose its shape and spoil its appearance.
Only gentle hand washing of cotton with washing powder is suitable. It is not recommended to wring or dry things made of corduroy, just rinse in the solution with light movements and then squeeze slightly, avoiding strong folds and folds. The last rinse of the flannel is better done with the addition of a few spoons of vinegar.
Cotton drying and ironing
In advance, you should familiarize yourself with the label on the clothes, where the modes for cleaning are indicated. There are also instructions on drying. If there is a square with a circle inside and three dots in it, then it is an ordinary dense cotton fabric that can be dried in machines with the appropriate function at a temperature of up to 80°C. They can be hung on a clothesline and hangers with shoulders and dried on the balcony and on the street.
The first rule is how to dry cotton. Do not dry in direct sunlight. Under the influence of sunlight, cotton loses its strength, white things turn yellow, and colored things fade. For information, 800-900 hours under direct sunlight reduces fiber strength by half.
More delicate things and all colored things, it is better not to dry them in a machine at a high temperature. This is due to the presence of dyes and chemical treatment of cotton. After automatic drying, it is quite difficult to steam and iron out wrinkles.
The second rule . It is better to dry it not completely, but until it is slightly moist. After that, you can proceed directly to ironing. During drying on the ropes, the thing should be straightened so that it hangs as straight as possible without wrinkles.
Drying thin cotton fabrics, lace items
The lace can be severely deformed, lose its shape, stretch or, on the contrary, sag if it is not dried properly. It is better to unfold especially delicate tablecloths, clothes and handkerchiefs on a flat, soft surface and fix the pattern with pins. When they become only slightly damp, you can start ironing. If necessary, the pins are removed for ironing and then returned to their place.
How to whiten worn white things
There are a huge number of different bleaches on sale, and chlorine-containing bleaches are being replaced by oxygen bleaching agents. At the same time, active oxygen copes well even with persistent pollution. Therefore, there is no need to mention folk remedies in most cases.
And yet, soaking for a day in a solution with half a dose of washing powder for the required volume and turpentine at the rate of 2-3 spoons for every 10 liters of water can help return the washed clothes to their former whiteness and softness.
In addition to bleaches, a solution of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia can deal with yellowing. 2 tablespoons of peroxide and one tablespoon of ammonia are used in 8 liters of hot water at 60-70°C.
Boiling
A popular method of bleaching and cleaning white cotton items is boiling . Large enameled or aluminum dishes are used. The solution of detergent and bleach is prepared according to the instructions at the rate of 10 liters for each kilogram of things.
It should be heated slowly so that at least 35 minutes have passed from the moment the stove is turned on to boiling. You can boil for half an hour. After that, things should be rinsed, only in this case hot water is used first and then the temperature drops during repeated rinsing.
Restoration and fixation of color
If white things are stained after washing with colored ones, but not too much, then soda can correct the situation. It is worth soaking them in hot water with soda for 12 hours and then rinse them thoroughly and wash them again.
Cotton items with embroidery, if they are easily dyed, it is better to wash them in a saline solution (1 tablespoon of salt per 1 liter of water), and then in a soapy solution. Instead of twisting, the thing is wrapped in a towel, then hung out to dry.
What causes cotton things to shrink
Cotton fabric mainly shrinks from the high temperature during drying. Therefore, to avoid this, especially for thin fabrics, it is better to dry at room temperature, in the shade. Machine drying is not allowed, unless the contrary is indicated on the label from the manufacturer. By following these simple rules, how to wash cotton, you can preserve the excellent appearance of things and the strength of the material for a long time.