Do as I say not as I do, that’s a phrase that comes to mind when I talk about laundry. While I have grown in my knowledge over recent years, and now consider myself somewhat of a laundry basket whisperer, I have certainly made my fair share of mortifying mistakes in the past – especially when it comes to washing delicates.
Wool, cashmere, silk, lace, velvet – you name it, and I’ve probably washed it incorrectly at some time or another. I’ve experienced many fashion disasters, including gaping holes in a cashmere pashmina (that one was embarrassingly recent), torn lace bralettes, felted jumpers and, of course, the mistake that sent me on my path of redemption – the gorgeous vintage wool jumper that I shrank down to the perfect size for an 18-36 month-old child.
But what all of these catastrophes have taught me is that it’s, unfortunately, incredibly easy to make a mistake when washing your delicates – clue is in the name, I suppose. I have certainly learned from my mistakes, and so I thought I’d share exactly what I have learned so you don’t have to follow in my foolish footsteps and avoid any and all delicate disasters.
Washing wool
A few years ago, before I discovered the joys of household advice, I was working in a restaurant. I’d saved up enough of my first pay-check to buy this bright green 70s high-neck cropped woollen jumper. I’d been eyeing it up in the vintage shop across the road from the restaurant, using the hope of buying it as the motivation I needed to get through those brutal Sunday brunch shifts. After purchasing it, I wore it a whole ONE time before deciding to give it a wash. I’m sure some of you can see where I’m going with this. I chucked it into the washing machine and what was removed from the drum was more akin to the uniform of a munchkin than the Jane-Birkin look I had in mind. I was devastated, but it was a lesson learned – never wash wool in a washing machine!
Wool is beyond temperamental and should be washed very infrequently. When you do absolutely have to wash it, do so by hand, only unless specific instructions on the care label suggest otherwise. Fill a clean sink or basin with lukewarm water (maximum 30°C) and mix in a gentle wool specific detergent. Turn your wool item inside out and submerge it in the water. Let it soak for at least 10 minutes. Swirl the item slowly around in the solution and gently squeeze the soapy water through the fabric. But make sure you avoid rubbing or scrubbing, as friction causes the fibres to lock together and shrink, creating that all too familiar and horrible felting feeling. Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with clean, lukewarm water. Submerge the garment to rinse and repeat until the water runs clear.
Towel drying method
Do not ring or squeeze the water out, you can gently release some water using flat hands, but be gentle. Make sure to air dry the item out flatly on a clean dry towel. Roll the towel up with the garment inside, and gently press the towel to absorb the moisture. Unroll the towel and transfer your damp wool item to a flat surface or a mesh drying rack. Ensure it is reshaped to its original dimensions and kept away from direct heat or harsh sunlight. Good luck, may your odds be better than mine.
Ignoring the care label
The one mistake that is all too often made and so easily avoided when it comes to washing delicate items, is to forgo the care label. This is there for a reason, and should be followed to a tee for the best chance and a safe and successful wash. If you don’t understand or recognise the symbols featured on the label, you can check out our handy guide on washing symbols.
For the most part, these labels will tell you how to wash the garment, the temperature required and the safest way to dry them. Remember, even if you think you know how to wash an item, you should always check. Much of clothing today uses a blend of fabrics that can make things a little more complicated than they may seem on the surface. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Leaving garments unzipped
This mistake is often made out of either laziness or absent-mindedness, and I’ll be honest – it’s something I myself have only just started making a conscious effort to do. Open zippers or even buttons, create an incredibly abrasive material, a material being hurtled around near your delicate, fragile materials in the washing machine. I’m positive this is how I ended up with holes in some of my favourite lacey bras. Speaking of bras, those pesky hooks can be just as violent as zippers, which is one of the many reasons it’s always a safer bet to pop these in a mesh net washing bag before washing. Zipping items up protects both the item itself and the others around it.
Using too-hot water
Hot water kills bacteria, this is true, but it can also kill your delicates. If the water is too hot for a delicate or high-maintenance piece of clothing, this can cause colours to fade faster, fabrics to weaken over time and embellishments such as beads or sequins to melt, warp or simply come loose. Remember, there will be a temperature on the care label, stick to it.
Use cold or lukewarm water when it comes to delicate items, around 30°C is safest. And don’t worry about the state of your clothes’ cleanliness, most modern detergents are designed to work just as well in a cold wash these days.
Wrong detergent
One detergent doesn’t fit all, as easy as that would be. The detergent you rely on to clear the muck off your gym gear or work clothes, should not be the same one you rely on to care for your delicates. Many regular detergents contain strong fragrances, dyes, optical brighteners and other chemicals, which can irritate sensitive fabrics and break down delicate materials over time.
Stick to mild, fabric-specific detergents or specifically formulated delicates’ ones. Look for terms like ‘gentle’, ‘for delicates’ or ‘mild’ on the label. In some cases, detergent may be too strong entirely. If you’re ever concerned for an item, baby shampoo can actually work as a super gentle alternative especially for items such as silk.
Wringing or twisting wet fabrics
I can totally understand the urge or the instinct to wring out wet clothes after handwashing. I understand the instinct because it’s exactly what I accidentally did the other day to my poor cashmere pashmina. I was so smug about remembering to clean the thing correctly that I totally forgot about the no-wringing rule, immediately pulling small holes in the delicate fabric as I did it.
Wringing, twisting or aggressive squeezing stretches the fabric out of shape, leading to a breakdown in the fibres, seam tears and embellishments getting dislodged. Instead, use the same rolled-towel drying technique as mentioned when drying wool. For particularly delicate items, such as silk scarves or other thin accessories, you can gently squeeze water out with flat palms, then lay flat between two towels and press some more.
Drying properly
A lot of mistakes can be made when it comes to the drying process with delicate items. More often than not, the tumble dryer is a no-go. The extreme heat can shrink, warp and weaken delicate fibres. But hanging on a drying rack can also lead to some complications. Items heavy with moisture can stretch themselves out of shape or develop permanent creases when in a hanging position. And direct sunlight, so therefore drying outside, can also cause colours to fade or bleach.
Each fabric will require slightly different drying methods but for the most part the safest approach is to go slow, and flat. Lay the item flat on a clean, dry towel away from direct sunlight. While the item is still damp, very gently reshape the material to its original shape. Flip the item over here and there for even drying. Simple, slow but disaster-free.
