Caring for Cotton
Cotton Care
Cotton is an extremely versatile material that can be manufactured to be very strong and durable. However, if you care for your cotton products properly, you should find that they last even longer and retain their much-loved properties. The general rule is to read and follow the care instructions on the care label. The tips and symbols are specific to the material your product is made of and should be strictly observed.
Washing Temperatures
For white and coloured items (depending on how dirty they are), you should find that a 40° C or 60° C washing program with detergents should be sufficient to clean the fabric. The lower temperature should also save energy. Unless the label tells you otherwise, white cotton linen and towels can also be washed at 95°C using a detergent for whites. Spinning does not harm most cotton products.
Using Detergents
To help preserve the colour of bedding and other coloured cotton products, you should wash with a detergent that is especially prepared for coloured items and does not contain a brightening agent. If you do this, you should find that strong colours stay brilliant and pastel colours keep their delicate nuance. Read the instruction manual supplied with your washing machine to ensure that you use the correct amount of detergent according to the volume of materials being washed.
Colour Washes
Wash whites and delicate colours separately from strong and dark colours. This should help you avoid colour changes and colour migration.
Washing Printed and Decorated T-Shirts
Turn printed and decorated T-shirts inside out before you wash them. As a general rule, wash at 40° C. Hand washing is recommended because some printed colours are not permanent and may fade or disappear. The same applies to T-shirts with stitched-on decals, frets and ornaments such as sequins and pearls. Don't use a spin or tumble dryer. Instead, let your T-shirts dry on a line. Gently stretch them into shape.
Washing Knitted Fabric
Quickly hand wash in hot water using either a little wool detergent or a baby shampoo. Rinse well several times in water of a constant temperature. Squeeze the fabric in a terry towel and leave it to dry flat at room temperature.
