Does polyester shrink if washed?
Polyester is among the most used materials in the textile industry, but is it what exactly is polyester? It is a fiber of synthetic origin whose use contains numerous benefits, among which we find that it is light, absorbs less moisture, can be combined with other materials, etc. Since polyester entered the fashion industry, it has become one of the main materials for the manufacture of bags, uniforms and sports clothing, among others.
Furthermore, the ease with which this material remains without deformation makes it one of the most present fibers in the textile industry. It is very likely that you have one or several garments made of this material at home, so if you are not sure how to wash polyester or if polyester shrinks if washed in the following FoxWiki article we talk to you about everything you should know.
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Does polyester stretch or shrink if washed?
Unlike cotton, polyester does not shrink when washed. As it is a synthetic fiber, there is no risk of it shrinking during washing, as we are talking about a very resistant fabric.
Other benefits of polyester are that it is a fiber that dries quickly and is less sensitive to the impact of ultraviolet light than other fabrics such as nylon or cotton. On the other hand, the great disadvantage of polyester is that it has very low breathability. So, if you are wondering if polyester shrinks if washed, the answer is no; You can safely wash your garment without fear of reducing its volume. But what happens if your polyester garment is very wide and you want to shrink it a size or two? If you wonder how to shrink polyester rom FoxWiki we recommend you visit this article on How to shrink clothes.
Does polyester stretch?
They say that It neither stretches, nor shrinks, nor wrinkles, because although polyester is not elastic but rather rigid, its fabric has a recovery capacity that is very difficult to find in other fibers. So that, polyester will not give itself in the wash, but will stretch itself to adapt to your body when you wear the garment.
Does 50% cotton and 50% polyester shrink?
Garments or objects made with an identical composition of cotton and polyester may shrink in certain circumstances since containing the same percentage of each material, the characteristics of both must be taken into account when washing.
Cotton can shrink if washed with hot water, so to avoid shrinking your garment we recommend wash it with cold water or at a temperature below 95eitherC. In addition, it is essential that you avoid using the dryer, since due to the high temperatures used by this appliance, the cotton also tends to shrink throughout this process.
We have already seen that you should not worry about polyester, since it is a very resistant material that withstands all types of washing. However, if your garment contains a % of cotton similar to or higher than polyester, we always recommend taking these precautions to avoid putting your clothing at risk.
How to wash polyester clothes?
After resolving the doubts about whether polyester shrinks if it is washed, we believe it is necessary to explain how to wash polyester clothing correctly so that you can clean your clothes with the best possible procedure and without putting your clothes at risk. Are you prepared?
- Look at the label of each garment and separate them by material. Differentiate well those that have been made with 100% polyester from those that combine this fabric with cotton. Additionally, distinguish pieces of clothing by color (dark and light).
- Treat stains on polyester clothing before washing. Use a specific soap for this type of clothing so that it preserves the color. Pour soap on the stained areas and wait for it to act for a few minutes before proceeding with the usual washing.
- Before putting polyester clothing in the washing machine, turn the clothes inside out. This will prevent the fibers from breaking or getting caught on other pieces of clothing. Keep in mind that you will always have to wash clothes made with synthetic fibers this way.
- Read the instructions on the labels of polyester garments before operating the washing machine. As a general rule, you will have to schedule a short wash cycle with cold or warm water (the latter if you consider that it is very dirty). Add a specific fabric softener to reduce the effects of synthetic fibers.
- Once the washing cycle of these clothes is finished, it is very important to dry them properly. You can use the dryer on a low heat cycle, but avoid it whenever possible and hang the clothes to dry outdoors. In this way, the fibers will be better preserved.
You may also find it useful to visit this FoxWiki article on How to wash 100% polyester clothes correctly.
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