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    Treating Different Fabrics

    Using your washing machine or tumble dryer is a task that most households are familiar with, yet few have mastered when it comes to handling different fabrics in their washing loads.

    With the growing number of mixed fabrics, ones either delicate to detergent or others which don’t react well to heat, many are left scratching their heads at how best to treat their clothes without damaging them.

    Katy Roberts, washing machine expert explains how to simplify cleaning your different fabrics using your appliances. She said:

    Cotton

    "Washing cotton is by far the most durable fabric to clean. Typically, cotton can be cleaned using any washer setting and, in any temperature, making this the most hassle-free material you can wash.
    “When you’re tackling stains be sure to pre-treat with detergent, and when loading into your tumble dryer put this on a medium or low setting for best results. Most washing machines offer a cotton setting which uses warm water and a faster spin cycle to efficiently clean cotton so give this a try next time you’re putting your cottons in the wash."

    Linen

    Linen is a fabric commonly found among your sheets and tablecloths, and like cotton, is extremely durable in the wash. Using your washing machine, try to use a gentle cycle with warm water for best results. If your linen is brightly coloured use a colder setting as this will help minimise any colour draining from a wash. Tumble drying linen is also a doddle – all functions are supported so you can rest assured that your linen will dry quickly and efficiently

    Wool

    "Wool is a tricky and difficult fabric to wash. When washing your woollen garments, be sure to check the item’s label as there are many dos and don’ts to washing wool correctly. Avoid using hot water, fabric softener and bleach altogether.
    “Cold water cycles are best for wool along with using a mild detergent. Always air dry your woolly clothes to avoid shrinking and to cut the time this takes, why not pop the dehumidifier on? Some washing machines have a wool cycle that use cold water and a gentler spin to prevent shrinking – a handy feature that takes the stress out of washing your jumpers."

    Silk

    Silk like wool is more of a sensitive fabric rather than cotton and requires a careful approach when put in the wash. Ideally use a delicate setting on your washing machine, or if your machine has one, a silk cycle with as short a spin cycle as possible.

    Using a gentle detergent will do wonders when washing your silks but keep fabric softener out of the wash. Once again hot water and hot air should be avoided to prevent any damage to the delicate fabric, so be sure to keep your silks away from the tumble dryer.

    Finally, once washed, pop your silks onto a maiden and allow these to air dry away from direct sunlight.

    Polyster & Nylon

    Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon are two materials that require different treatments in the washing machine. Polyester is the easier of the two as this is best washed using a normal cycle in warm water. Try to wash your polyester items in similar colour batches and run your tumble dryer on a cooler function to dry.

    Conversely, nylon should be washed using a low-spin cycle avoiding too much heat where possible. This extends to the tumble dryer, where you should only put your nylon clothes in on a low heat.

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