Interesting And Useful Facts About Fabrics And How To Care For Them
‘Fabric’ is a term that refers to materials made of fibres used to make items such as clothing, homeware like bedding, towels, bags, cushions, curtains, and a vast range of other items and products. Its consistency can be thick or thin, smooth or rough, lightweight or heavy.
Given all that is laundered and ironed regularly is made up of a range of fibres that make up a range of fabrics, we have selected several different types of them for you, and we show you ways to care for them too!
COTTON
The history of cotton can be traced back to domestication. Cotton played an important role in the history of India, the British Empire, and the United States, and continues to be an important crop and commodity. The word cotton comes from the Arabic word “quton”. The earliest production of cotton was in India, where the material dates back to the 5th millennium B.C.
Cotton is a natural cellulose fibre that comes from a shrub plant, which is a member of the Mallow family. Its name refers to the cream-coloured fluffy fibres surrounding small cottonseed called a ‘boll’. Cotton is grown around the world with India being the largest producer. The United States is the largest exporter.
The cotton we commonly use is created from weaving. A loom is used in this labourious process. From field to fabric, the process of making cotton transforms the raw fibres into threads in three steps: preparation; spinning; and weaving.
Cotton is used to make a variety of woven fabrics including, clothing, bedding, denim, damask, tents and even bookbinding, which are among its many uses.
HOW TO CARE FOR COTTON:
When washing cotton always refer to the care label as there are so many types and grades of cotton fabric available, and so many uses for it.
i) You can wash cotton clothes in warm water and get great results.
ii) If washing bright or dark cotton items, it’s best to use a lower temperature wash of 30 degrees to help avoid colour fade or dye transfer.
iii) Cotton items can be dried in a tumble dryer in a warm setting. Or they can be line-dried, weather permitting. Alternatively, they can be dried using dehumidifying technology.
vi) When ironing cotton fabric, it is best carried out whilst still damp. Using a steam generator iron is by far the easiest and most effective ironing method we would recommend on cotton fabric.
HEMP
Throughout history, hemp has been used extensively across the world for fabric, paper, and even medicine. Hemp was one of the first cultivated fibre plants with archaeological records of its uses dating back to the ancient civilisations in Northern China as early as 10,000 B.C.
Hemp fabric is a sustainable textile made from a very high-yielding crop from the ‘cannabis sativa’ plant consisting of two layers: the outer is formed from rope; and the inner layers consist of a woody pith. Hemp is a lightweight fabric which means that it is breathable, and it also effectively facilitates the passage of moisture from the skin to the atmosphere, so it is ideal for hot climates.
The cellulose fibre from hemp is used to make many products including shirts, jeans, dresses, bags, hats, ropes etc.
HOW TO CARE FOR HEMP:
i) Always wash hemp fabric in cold water unless it has heavy staining- pre-soak clothing with warm water and spot treat with mild detriment.
ii) Avoid the use of harsh chemicals on hemp since it can be easily stained and ruined.
iii) To preserve coloured hemp fabric always wash it in cold water.
vi) Hemp fabric can be machine washed, however, always wash on a cold setting.
v) Ironing hemp fabric is optional when flat-dried or tumbled at low heat. Hemp is ironed better whilst still damp.
SILK
The production of silk originates in China in the Neolithic, Yangshas culture, in the 4th millennium B.C. Silk remained confined to China until the ‘Silk Road’ opened at some point during the later half of the 1st millennium B.C. China maintained its virtual monopoly over silk production for another thousand years.
Silk is a natural fibre known for its lustre, shine, strength, and durability. Silk fibres are produced by silkworms when they spin themselves into a cocoon on their journey to become a silkmoth. These ultra-soft fibres are harvested from the cocoon in their raw state by being boiled in hot water and stirred until the cocoon unravels.
Raw silk is used for clothing such as shirts, suits, ties, blouses, lingerie, jackets etc. Other variety fabric materials such as dupion, plain silk, deluxe, satin, chiffon, chinning, crepe, and brocades are made from Mulberry silk.
HOW TO CARE FOR SILK FABRIC:
Some silks are washable, for others dry cleaning is recommended. If in doubt, check the care label on the garments first. Don’t wash silk fabric if colours are not colourfast- so check first. This can be done by wetting a small piece of the fabric in cool water and then laying it on a piece of white material. Press down with a warm iron. If this leaves no colour on the white fabric, then it can be safely washed. Usually, silk is washed best by hand using a gentle detergent. However, with the advancement in washing machine technology, silk can be successfully washed this way by selecting a delicate wash setting.
When ironing silk, it is important to take care of the item, and follow the care label instructions. Silk garments need to be ironed inside out to avoid causing any damage to the front-facing side. Lay a small piece of clean, cotton cloth over the area to be ironed. Press the iron down until you are satisfied with the result. Repeat this process until your garment is smoothed out and crease-free. Place the garment on a hanger and allow them to dry for a minute or two then either wear it or store it away in a dry area.
WOOL
Wool is a yarn made by spinning the fibres from animal fleece; usually a sheep, but can also include goat, camel or LIama. Wool is naturally stain and wrinkle-resistant. Since the Stone Age, it has been recognised as one of the most effective forms of all-weather protection known to mankind, and science is yet to produce a fibre which matches its unique properties. Wool is widely used in clothing, from knitwear, such as jumpers and socks, to cloth used for suits to costumes. It is used in the furniture trade both for making chair covers and for upholstery. Wool also has a long and established tradition in the manufacturing of carpets, and bedding- wool blankets.
HOW TO CARE FOR WOOL:
When washing wool items, remember to keep the following in mind:
i) Hand wash using cold water with detergents designed for wool to avoid shrinkage.
ii) Wool items can be flat-dried by laying a towel underneath the item to absorb excess water.
iii) Avoid using a tumble dryer on wool as this tends to cause shrinkage. Air or flat dry instead.
vi) Wool items can be ironed if needed, but it’s important to take extra care. If you are going to use an iron, use a pressing cloth to avoid leaving marks on the fabric from overheating the wool. We would recommend placing a piece of fabric between the iron and the wool to protect it, a piece of cotton or muslin is ideal.
LINEN
As with cotton, linen is a natural fibre made from the Flax plant. Linen is created from the fibres that naturally grow as part of Flax plant. The fibres are very strong- up to three times stronger than cotton- due to their crystalline structure. This structure transforms into a linen fabric that is strong and durable. There are several types of linen available on the market, including damask, plain-woven, loosely woven, and sheeting linen.
Linen is made following a series of stages that have developed over several generations, creating what is regarded today as one of the most durable textiles around.
HOW TO CARE FOR LINEN:
Linen is such a natural fabric that caring for it is simple too!
Linen that has been properly manufactured and treated can be hand and machine washed; it can even be tumble dried on low temperatures. Always follow the care instructions on your linen item, and test any cleaning method on a small, hidden area before washing the whole item.
Linen becomes softer and more absorbant after each wash. Wash linen at low temperatures in lukewarm to cold water using mild detergents to protect fibres.
Linen may be tumble dried but at low temperatures. Remove from the dryer when still damp to avoid the linen becoming stiff, and either hang or flat dry to finish off the drying process.
When it comes to ironing linen, there may be no need to unless it has become extremely creased. But if you feel you do need to iron your linen items, then do so whilst still damp, using a medium-hot iron on both sides.
Linen can be stored away in a cool, dry place. Linen has inbuilt insect-repellant properties, which can be useful if you need to safeguard against problems such as moths.
POLYESTER
Polyester is a synthetic fabric that derives from petroleum. This fabric is one of the world’s most popular choices for textiles and is used in a vast range of consumer and industrial applications.
Polyester was first invented in 1941. It became increasingly popular in the 1970s, known as a ‘miracle fibre’ that can be worn many times, and worn without needing to be ironed.
When made into polyester fabric, it can be used to make clothes. It is renowned for its durability and chemical resistance. It can withstand a great deal of stretching and is resistant to wrinkling and abrasions.
It is incredibly strong, yet lightweight. It is also very quick drying and so is a popular choice for outdoor clothing.
Polyester is used for fashion clothing, sportswear, fleeces, coats and anoraks, bedding, soft furnishings, and upholstery textiles.
HOW TO CARE FOR POLYESTER:
To ensure polyester clothes remain in tip top shape and have along life, it is important to follow the following guidance:
i) Never use high heat in the tumble dryer or use a very hot iron to remove wrinkles and creases. Use low- medium temperatures when machine drying. To avoid the need for excessive ironing, polyester items should be hanged immediately after drying.
ii) Don’t expose polyester items to strong sunlight as this can place them at risk of fading.
iii) Be sure to wash polyester garments regularly, especially sportswear, as this fabric is prone to discolouration, particularly, if sweat is not cleaned off an item in a timely fashion.
vi) Synthetic fibres hold on to oily stains. So if you are dealing with an oil stain on a shirt, it will not be removed in a normal wash. The stain is likely to need the help of a professional dry cleaning company.
RAYON
Rayon is a semi-synethic fibre, made from natural sources of regenerated cellulose such as wood and related agricultural products. It has the same molecular structure as cellulose. It is also referred to as viscose. Many grades of viscose fibre exist.
Rayon is one of the most versatile fabrics around. It is thought of as a unique fabric; it wears as good as cotton and feels as soft as silk. As it is a fabric made of semi- synthetic fibre, this makes it a fabric that is soft and comfortable. Because the fabric has a luxurious appearance, it is widely used in the fashion industry to make various types of clothing. It is also used to make bedding, curtains, and can also be used to make surgical products.
HOW TO CARE FOR RAYON:
Washing and caring for rayon can be tricky. Here are some important tips:
i) Always follow the instructions on the care label, by the letter, when caring for rayon.
ii) Never place rayon clothing in a tumble dryer because the heat of the dryer can destroy the fabric.
iii) Some rayon fabrics may be colourfast but other types must be handled with extra care to prevent damage to the garments.
vi) If you need to machine wash a rayon item, turn it inside out and put it in a mesh washing bag. Wash it in cold water on a delicate cycle on a low spin setting. Rayon can shrink and become misshapen if hot water is used.
v) Treat rayon with extra care when handling as over aggressive agitation can break fibres and can cause the fabric to pill or take on a fuzzy appearance.
iv) Rayon is best air dried flat, or hanged to drip dry.
iiv) Many rayon fabric grades wrinkle excessively when washed and will require ironing. It’s best to iron rayon when the fabric is slightly damp, using a medium- hot iron, and always iron item on the wrong side. A pressed cloth placed in between the item and iron is recommend.
We hope you found these facts about different fabrics, and how to care for them, both interesting and useful!
Contact us here at Pressed not Stressed and we’ll take care of all your Laundry and Ironing needs and requirements.
