Polyester is among the most versatile fabrics around. It is used in clothes, bags, blankets, etc. It is a synthetic fabric resistant to shrinking, stretching, wrinkles, and abrasion. Best of all, polyester fabric is easy to take care of and wash with fast drying time.
But can you machine wash polyester? No one wants to buy a fabric that is hard to take care of and requires too much attention to detail.
So, let’s see where polyester fabrics fall on the difficulty of upkeep.
Can You Machine Wash Polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fabric designed to be washed in a washing machine. When you are machine washing polyester, it is recommended to use warm water and avoid the hot water settings.
Moreover, a regular detergent is appropriate for polyester. Also, avoid detergents designed for deep stains.
How to Wash Polyester in a Washing Machine
Polyester clothing can be washed by hand or by a washing machine. To prevent pilling, turn the clothing inside out and select the cold or low heat setting on your washing machine.
Moreover, polyester can melt, so be sure to air dry or use a low heat setting on your dryer.
You should follow the next steps when machine washing polyester.
Read the label
Before you throw your polyester clothes or blankets in the washing machine, the first thing to do is to read the label on them. You can use your machine’s cool or warm setting to wash polyester.
You can find information about the recommended settings on the care label sewn onto the clothing. Follow the care instructions to ensure that your 100% polyester is cleaned safely.
You can find out if you can machine wash the fabric by reading the care label.
No high heat
When you are washing polyester in a washing machine, avoid high-heat programs. Polyester is best washed in warm or lukewarm water. You should set your machine on a permanent press cycle, as it is considered the best for synthetic fabrics.
The permanent press cycle is gentle on the materials and will not damage them; it also removes discoloration from clothes.
If you wash synthetic fabrics in the wrong temperature setting, they will become yellow or otherwise discolored.
Read more: Can You Wash Converse In The Washing Machine?
Use regular detergent
For machine-washing polyester, you should use regular detergent and avoid using detergents meant for removing deeper stains. A regular detergent with a mild fabric softener is sufficient for polyester fabric.
Furthermore, bleach with a chlorine base should never be used on polyester. Bleach is too harsh for synthetic fibers in polyester, which can harm the fabric.
Bleach has the potential to stain polyester by removing its color. Most polyester clothing’s care labels will state “No Bleach”.
Drying polyester
The best way to dry polyester is to let it air dry. Make sure to machine dry on the lowest setting for the shortest period if you want to.
Polyester can shrink, pill, and lose color if it is overdried. It can melt if the cloth is dried at a too high temperature.
Also, let polyester garments air dry on a clothesline or hanger. Keep the fabric out of the sun’s direct rays because the heat from the sun can harm it.
Does Polyester Shrink in the Washing Machine?
Polyester can be combined with textiles like cotton and other materials that can shrink. There is a possibility that the garment will shrink if the polyester content is 50/50%. Polyester garments should be air-dried away from heat and sunlight to reduce the chance of shrinkage.
However, as long as you do not use hot water or extremely high heat if your machine dries the polyester garments, there is no danger of shrinkage. Heat is what causes polyester to shrink as it is a synthetic fabric.
Follow the instructions on the care label to ensure no damage occurs to your clothes.
Also read: Can You Use Extension Cords With Washing Machines?
Conclusion
So, can you machine wash polyester? The answer is yes, but you still need to be careful.
The best way to avoid damaging your polyester garments is by following the instructions on the care label. The instructions will guide you on how to machine wash polyester safely.
