Fabric Caring : How to look after your precious fabrics
Sorry, i am supposed to make your life easier by translating this into a more simpler understandable, short and sweet method. But i guess there is no shortcut to things that matters to you. Right? 
There are so many fabrics available now for all occasions and weather. One can never have enough of a certain fabric clothing. Each material clothing has its own functionality and its own purpose for being in such way. As costly as some could be, making time to take care of them will help to keep your clothes last longer and save you more.
There are so many fabrics and mix of fabrics available, it can be quite daunting to remember which method to take care for each fabric you have, but here are some suggestions if they do not come with any care label. or when a care label can only tell you so much.
Silk
Washing: Silk is very delicate and should be hand-washed if possible, except if the laundry label says it can go in a machine (in which case, use a delicates wash at 30°C). Hand-wash silk in lukewarm soapy water without soaking it. You can also add a few drops of vinegar or sugar to cold water to rinse.
Drying: Silk shouldn’t be twisted or rough-dried. Spread it flat on a towel or sponge to dry. Shirts and blouses can be dried on a hanger.
Ironing: Iron while still damp. Steam iron carefully using a cloth. If your silk garment clings to your body when worn try putting a drop of a good quality hair conditioner in your final rinse water.
Did you know?
- Silk should never be exposed to sunlight, which can make it go yellow. To remove an offending yellow hue, soak the garment in three parts ordinary water to one part oxygenated water with a drop of ammonia, then rinse in ordinary water.
- Never let silk get wet or it will get damp marks.
shantung silk
more silk.
Polyester
Washing: this is generally machine washable at a low temperature and use low heat in your dryer or hang out to dry. Avoid having the item in the dryer for too long. Generally the good thing is it doesn’t need ironing.
Jacket made of polyester fabric.
Wool
Hand washing: Wool will shrink at high temperature – check the label before you put it in the machine. Cashmere and similar delicate knits should be hand washed in a gentle detergent such as Miele.
Drying: Wool garments will lose their shape if hung on a line to dry so they are better aired flat, and away from artificial heat.
Storing: Keep moths away by storing your woollen garments with cedar blocks. Knits should be stored folded not hung on hangers. When possible iron woollens on the reverse side.
wool fabric – Herringbone weaves
Sheep wool.
Linen
Washing: Any stains should be treated prior to washing. You can machine-wash linen as long as you wash it at less than 50°C or hand washed or dry cleaned (although machine washable linen is becoming more readily available) to preserve the colour and the natural fabric. Use non-chlorine washing powder/liquid for linen, and use a whitening product to stop it going yellow.
Drying: Don’t dry linen in the sun or in a tumble-dryer to prevent it from shrinking.
Ironing: although it wrinkles easily, it irons well.
linen
Cotton
Washing: should be washed, dried and ironed in the same way as linen. This is relatively low maintenance and can be washed in warm water and tumble dried but 100% does need ironing to look smart and for a crisp look use starch spray. Cotton is the principal clothing fibre in the world and it’s cool and comfortable qualities means it can be worn by anyone.
Cotton will shrink at high temperatures but irons well. Polyester/cotton mixes help to give the fibre resistance to wrinkles and creasing.
Bleaching: Sensible use of chlorine bleach will help to restore white cotton.
organic cotton
Cashmere
Even if cashmere doesn’t get dirty or smell of sweat easily, it should still be washed (after 3 outings). Cashmere is very delicate and the less often it’s washed, the longer it lasts.
Machine washing: Pop your cashmere in a special underwear bag or in a pillowcase in your machine and use special wool washing products. Select a cold wool programme and don’t spin at over 600 rpm.
Hand washing: Use a wool washing product or diluted shampoo. Don’t leave cashmere to soak for too long in your washing water; it should be washed and rinsed fast. Rinse carefully in cold water until it runs clear.
Drying: Dry without twisting. Roll your cashmere in a towel and then dry it flat on a dry towel. Never tumble-dry it.
Ironing: If you need to iron cashmere, don’t use a very hot iron. Iron cashmere carefully on the underside.
cashmere
Pashmina
Hand washing: hand wash on the very first time. As some pashmina may come in darker vivid colours, it is best to hand wash in cold water. Like cashmere, pashmina is a treasued and very delicate material, and its wool is just as fine. Wash, dry and iron with care, as for cashmere.
pashmina
Wool
Wool is very delicate and shouldn’t be boiled or washed with chlorine-based products. Hand-washing is best, but you can machine-wash wool mixes. Always check the laundry label and set your machine to a short non-spin programme.
Hand-washing: Wash wool at a maximum temperature of 30° using special wool washing products and without soaking. Scrub gently and rinse in lukewarm water, gently squeezing the water out, then rinse in cold water.
Drying: Dry using a towel (without twisting) and then dry flat on a fresh towel.
Sheep wool.
Viscose
Viscose is a semi-synthetic material containing natural fibres treated with chemicals.
Machine-washing: Wash viscose clothing inside out at a maximum of 40°C on a delicates programme. Your machine should be two-thirds full.
Drying: Dry on a hanger (never tumble-dry) and iron while still slightly damp.
viscose
HOW TO HANDLE YOUR CLOTHES
Hand washing
When handwashing, always use cold water and do not soak garments. Let the liquid or powder detergent dissolve completely before adding your clothes to the water. Agitate the clothes in the water squeezing rather than scrubbing the fabric. Rinse thoroughly, squeeze the water out and allow to drip dry.
Take care with the following:
Underwear lasts longer if you hand-wash it, but it can easily be machine-washed as well. Protect your underwear in the wash by putting it into a special bag or a silk or satin pillowcase. Use special washing powder/liquid and wash on a delicates programme.
General tips:
Separate your laundry by colour. Put dark with dark, white with white and colour with colour.
To stop colour from fading: Check whether a garment will fade or not by placing a piece of white cloth underneath it while it’s still damp and passing a hot iron over it. If the colour comes through, you know you need to hand-wash it separately in lukewarm soapy water. New garments should always be washed separately the first time (using washing powder!) to get rid of surplus colouring. And never leave wet washing in a pile: the colours could run and stain other garments!
Machine washing : First empty all pockets, unbutton buttons, turn up collars and turn denim inside out. Be sure not to overload the machine. Check the labels on all garments and do not exceed the recommended maximum temperature. Delicate fabrics such as silk need careful washing. Clothes that generate lint, such as towelling and fleece, should be washed separately.
Ironing : Not everyone’s favourite task i know, but here are some hints to make life easier. Read the care label for the correct temperature setting for the fabric you are ironing.
* Do not iron clothes which are dirty or stained as the heat may set the stain.
* Drip dry garments should be pressed while damp on the wrong side using a cool iron.
* Using a cotton cloth between the iron and the clothes to finish the right side makes it easier to protect the colour and the material from getting burnt or wrinkled as a cause of overheat.
Info : by sofeminine.co.uk
Images source are all from the internet.
Well explained , i need to read and re-read again to make sure i do not miss out anything. nice!
Thank you. I hope it explained well.