Polyester is a popular fabric that can be found in almost any home. It is commonly used in everyday work attire, school or sport uniforms, or even blankets and bedding. One of the greatest benefits of polyester is that it can easily be washed at home in just a few simple steps. Read on for more tips on caring for your polyester items.
Polyester is a man-made, synthetic fiber that is lightweight, durable, and soft to the touch. Oftentimes it is blended with additional fabrics to create a specific texture but this sometimes makes it easier for the garment to shrink. Items that are labeled as 100% polyester have not been woven with any additional materials, while 50/50 and tri-blends are spun with additional fabrics such as cotton or wool.
Step 4: Set your washer cycle
Once you have pretreated and sorted out your polyester items, place the load into your washing machine. Set the wash cycle to normal and use a gentle laundry detergent. Because polyester is a synthetic material, high heat can break down the fibers and cause damage to your clothes. As a result, polyester should be washed using warm or cold water. Make sure to check your care label. If you are washing white or bright colors, you may also want to consider adding in all-purpose bleach alternative to provide an extra boost.
More tips for washing and drying polyester
Following these steps when washing your polyester clothing will help keep them in good condition. Some additional tips to further prevent pilling when washing and ultimately help items to last longer include:
- Pretreat any stains that may need it.
- Check clothing labels for washing instructions like heat levels, cleaning solvents and approved washing methods. Never wash a garment without checking the label.
- Fasten any zippers, buttons, or hooks.
- Turn garments inside out.
- Don’t overload the washing machine.
- Use the correct type and amount of detergent. Swash® Laundry Detergent by Whirlpool Corperation is a good option.
Does polyester shrink in the dryer?
How long does polyester take to dry?
Let the garment dry for 2-4 hours. Polyester is made to be fast-drying, so it shouldn’t take too long to be finished. Wait a few hours and check on the clothing to see if it’s dry. If you’re laying the clothes on a towel to dry, flip them over every hour to quicken the drying process. Once the garment is dry to the touch, fold and store it.
How long does it take a fabric to dry?
In one test, polyester was the fastest. That material dried in a little over 2 hours beating cotton by 11 minutes. Silk took over an hour longer than polyester with linen 2 hours longer than polyester to dry. The tools you use to dry your fabrics may reduce those times. To learn more about fast-drying fabrics just continue to read our article.
Does polyester dry faster than cotton?
Polyester is a synthetic fabric that is known for its quick-drying properties. It is made from synthetic fibers that are hydrophobic, meaning they do not absorb water easily. This makes it dry faster than many natural fabrics like cotton. In general, polyester items will dry much faster than cotton.
What is quick dry polyester fabric?
Quick dry polyester fabric is a type of synthetic fabric that is made from polyester fibers. This fabric is known for its quick drying properties, as well as being wrinkle resistant and durable. Quick dry polyester fabric is often used in activewear and swimwear due to its ability to dry quickly, as well as being lightweight and comfortable.