Material Washability Tool

The Material Washability Tool is an important tool for helping you decide whether or not to machine wash different types of fabrics and household items. This guide is designed to help make it easier for people to understand the often-confusing world of laundry care by providing clear and useful advice for each fabric type. Knowing why each classification exists gives you the power to keep your clothes and other things safe while keeping them as clean as possible.

Fabric Materials: A Detailed Breakdown

Cotton is one of the most versatile and forgiving fabrics you can have in your closet. Its natural fibers can handle regular machine washing cycles at temperatures of up to 30-40°C, making it suitable for everyday laundering. Thanks to cotton’s strength, it can be tumble dried and ironed at high heat without getting damaged. Cotton garments might shrink a little during initial washes, but gentlly stretching them while they are still damp helps restore their original shape. Cotton fibers are strong and durable, which makes it a great choice for things that need to be washed often, like t-shirts, bed linens, and towels.

Polyester is a synthetic version of cotton that has similar wash-friendly properties and is less likely to wrinkle. This fabric does well in warm water washes with regular detergent, but you should avoid high heat when drying it to keep the fibers from breaking down. Polyester is less likely to shrink than natural fibers because it is made of synthetic materials. However, removing polyster fabrics from the dryer before they’re completely dry helps reduce static cling. Polyester blends are becoming quite popular because they combine the breathability of natural fibers with the strength and easy-care properties of synthetics.

Nylon shares polyester’s synthetic durability while offering exceptional elasticity and strength. This fabric can be washed in both cold and warm water, so it’s good for activewear, hosiery, and outerwear that needs to be washed often. The quick-drying nature of nylon helps cut down on the time you spend doing laundry. It also doesn’t get moldy, which makes it a great choice for things that are likely to get wet.

Wool requires careful handling even though its considered machine-washable under certain circumstances. Today’s washing machines have special wool cycles that run at cooler temperatures (30–40°C) and with less agitation to keep the wool from felting. To wash wool successfully, you need to use gentle cycles and lay the items flat to dry. Laying things flat helps to keep the garment’s shape and prevents stretching. Wool’s natural properties include temperature regulation and odor resistance, which means these items often require less frequent washing than other materials.

Denim is a type of fabric that falls somewhere in the middle of safe and potentially problematic. Washing denim inside out in cold water protects the dye and prevents excessive fading. Using gentle cycles minimizes wear on the fibers. Experts say that you shouldn’t tumble dry denim because the heat can make it shrink a lot and hurt the fabric’s structure. Also, washing denim alone or with other dark colors keeps dye from getting on lighter clothes.

Silk requires the highest level of care because of its delicate protein-based fibers. Machine washing silk increases the chances of irreversible damage like fiber breakdown, loss of luster, and severe shrinkage. The best way to keep silk’s smoothness and drape is to wash it by hand in cold water with a mild detergent or have it dry cleaned by a professional. Even gentle machine cycles shake this delicate material too much.

To keep cashmere’s soft, luxurious feel it must be dry-cleaned or carefully hand-washed. When cashmere is heated and moved around, the fine fibers that give it its unique feel are especially prone to felting. Professional cleaning keeps these expensive clothes in good shape and makes them last longer.

No matter the circumstances, leather and suede should never be put into a washing machine. Water causes these materials to stiffen, crack, and lose their suppleness, while the agitation from the machine can destroy their structure. The only safe way to clean leather and suede is with special cleaning products made just for these materials.

To keep its characteristic pile and texture, velvet needs to be dry cleaned by a professional. The raised fibers that give velvet its distinctive appearance flatten and mat when exposed to water and agitation. Even hand washing risks permanent damage to this delicate fabric.

Rayon is particularly challenging to clean because of its tendency to shrink when wet. This semi-synthetic fiber loses strength when exposed to water, making it vulnerable to tearing and distortion with machine washing. The safest way to keep rayon clothes in their original condition is to have them dry cleaned.

Household Items: Useful Tips for Washing

Fabric trainers including canvas, cotton, and nylon styles can be safely machine washed when placed in a mesh laundry bag. The protective bag keeps the laces from getting tangled and makes the washing machine drum less likely to break. Leather trainers only need to be cleaned in spots because water can ruin the structure and finish of leather.

Polyester, cotton, and microfibre pillows can be machine washed using a gentle cycle, but then must be laid flat to air dry. Regular washing removes accumulated dust mites, dead skin cells, and oils that accumulate over months of use. Memory foam pillows can tear easily in the washing machine because of their delicate cellular structure.

Synthetic duvets and quilts can be refreshed in washing machines using gentle cycles with little agitation. You want to make sure that there is enough space for the item to move around without putting too much strain on the machine. Air drying or low-temperature tumble drying prevents clumping of the filling material.

Soft toys require you to read the care label before washing, as many popular brands including Jellycats and Beanie Babies specify hand washing only. Machine washing can hurt fragile parts, make stuffing clump, or break the electronics in interactive toys.

Items with embellishments including sequins, beads, and glitter should never go into washing machines. When you use hot water, it breaks down the glue that holds decorations in place. Hard decorations can also scratch the surface of the drum while it’s spinning. Hand washing is the only safe cleaning method for decorated items.

Bras benefit from hand washing whenever possible. However, gentle machine cycles in mesh bags is a good compromise. The underwires and delicate elastic parts wear out quickly when they are washed in a rough way. Never tumble dry bras, as heat degrades elastic fibers and warps underwire shapes.

Swimsuits require hand washing to protect the Lycra in them from damage due to chlorine, salt, and detergent. Machine agitation stretches the fabric beyond recovery, making it less supportive. Rinsing your swimsuit right after you use it and letting it air dry will make it last a lot longer.

Because sand is rough, sandy towels are especially dangerous for washing machines. Always shake towels thoroughly and allow them to dry before washing. Sand particles can damage drum surfaces and clog drainage systems. Multiple shake-outs may be necessary to remove all of the sand so you can safely wash it. Understanding these material-specific requirements helps you develop effective laundry practices that preserve your belongings. The tool’s classifications are based on decades of research and real-world experience in the field of textiles. They give you advice that will keep your clothes and washing machine safe. When care labels are missing or unclear, use this tool as extra help, but always trust the care labels first. The success of washing depends on the temperature, cycle intensity, and drying methods used. Gentler methods usually make clothes last longer while still keeping them clean.