How to wash and care for cotton
Cotton is known to be the most popular fibre in the world for its softness, breathability, and durability. Here are some tips for washing, drying, and storing cotton items.
Wash
Wash in warm or cool water (30°C or below) to prevent shrinking and fading. For items with stains, pretreat the stain before washing, and avoid using bleach, as this can damage the fibres. For darker pieces, patch test on an inside seam to check the colour won’t be affected.
Dry
Tumble dry on a low heat setting or hang dry. Avoid using high heat, as this can cause cotton to shrink or wrinkle. If you hang dry your cotton items, be sure to reshape them as they dry to prevent stretching or misshaping.
Store
Keep cotton items in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. You can store cotton items in a breathable garment bag or folded neatly in a drawer. Hanging can reduce the chance of wrinkles. Use softer, wider hangers, which will reduce the distortion a narrow hanger might cause
Characteristics of cotton
- Lightweight
- Durable, remains strong when wet
- Breathable and wearable all year round
- Absorbs and releases moisture very quickly
- Prone to wrinkle
- Tends to shrink