Key Takeaways:
- Cotton is a natural fibre known for its comfortable, breathable, and absorbent nature. It is used for both warm and cold-weather clothing and makes up 70% of an average individual’s wardrobe.
- From washing to drying to debobbling, cotton requires proper fabric care to look and feel “brand new.”. Adopting simple tips from clothing care guides, such as washing less, selecting the right detergent, and sorting laundry the right way, can help to keep your clothing looking better for longer, taking your wardrobe experience to a whole new level.
- To maintain cotton fabric care, choose cold-temperature washes (up to 30°c) and avoid exposing your garments to high heat (unless they are heavily soiled). In cases of lint and pilling, use BIORESTORE cotton laundry Re-Tergent to extend the lifespan of your cotton clothing, and lastly, select an airy and comfortable place for storing your clothes to keep them fresh for longer.
Let’s get started!
How to wash cotton clothes
Good fabric care starts in the laundry. Here’s how you can wash your cottons without damaging their colour or texture.
Step 1: Check the care label
Knowing how to wash, dry, and iron your cotton clothing goes a long way towards maintaining its appearance, color, vibrancy, shape and texture. Luckily, the care label (usually found in the side seam of the clothing) tells you everything you need to know about the garment in your hand (including the material it’s made from, and the washing, drying instructions).
Step 2: Pre-treat any stains
Cotton is generally a forgiving fabric when it comes to stains and spots. Simply put a small amount of your laundry detergent directly on the stain and let it sit for 15–30 minutes. Use your fingers to gently rub the affected area until the stain comes off. To stay on the safe side, do a patch test before spot-treating stains on cotton clothing you have not washed before.
Step 3: Sort the laundry
Sorting laundry properly plays a key role in cotton fabric care. Always separate whites, lights, and darks before tossing your clothes in the washing machine to prevent any color transfer. It’s also good to separate any heavy items such as towels, bed sheets or outerwear from lighter garments.
Step 4: Select the right temperature
For most cotton clothing, using a cold-water cycle (30ºC or below) is the best choice. This helps to keep your garments looking and feeling their best by avoiding shrinkage and colour fading, which can easily happen with hotter water (especially for darker colours or pure cotton fabrics).
Unless your cottons are heavily soiled (for example work clothes or towels), a cold-water wash can easily remove dirt, debris, and unwanted odours.
Bonus tip: Liquid detergents are considered much better than powdered for cold-water washing due to their easy solubility and rinse-off qualities.
Step 5: Use the right cycle
As far as washing machine settings are concerned, using a “regular cycle” does the trick for almost every type of cotton clothing. However, if your laundry machine has a dedicated “cottons” setting, there is no harm in switching to that.
Note: It might seem like an extra chore, but reading your laundry machine manual and getting to know the programmes won’t just benefit your clothes, it will also benefit your wallet and the environment.
Step 6: Drying
Unlike some fabrics, cotton is prone to wrinkling. To avoid this, remove your clothes promptly from the washer once the cycle finishes. Leaving them damp for too long in the laundry machine can lead to both wrinkles, a musty odour and even mold developing in your washing machine or on your clothing
For garments that tolerate tumble drying, toss them in the dryer on low heat. Always check the care label first, but if it's not clear, air drying is a safe bet. You can either hang them on a clothesline or lay them flat on a drying rack.
How to remove lint and pilling from cotton clothing
We’ve all been there. Reaching out for your favourite cotton t-shirt just to see it covered in those pesky little balls named “pills” or “bobbles”.
Lint is simply an accumulation of dirt, debris, hair, and loose fibres that appear on the surface of the clothing as a little fuzz. Over time, these loose fibres snag and tangle with each other, forming little balls of fabric. This process is called “pilling” or "bobbling.”
To remove pilling and lint from cotton clothing with BIORESTORE Re-Tergent, follow the below-mentioned steps.
- Read the BIORESTORE in box instructions and guide.
- Pre-sort cotton / cotton blended clothing for a BIORESTORE wash into colour piles.
- Add up to 8 items of clothing to the laundry machine.
- Add BIORESTORE directly to the washer.
- Run a 40ºC/104ºF cycle on cotton or eco mode for 2 hours.
- Remove the clothes from the washer and tumble dry.
- If a garment cannot be tumble-dried, rinse it off with a small amount of regular detergent and let it dry naturally.
Extra Tip: Always debobble your clothes as soon as possible. When pills or lint stay on a fabric for longer, it spreads to other areas of the clothing, giving a dull and worn-out appearance. Also, make sure to wash your pill-prone garments (such as bedding, towels, etc.) separately from regular clothes.
How to store cotton clothing
Gently drape your cotton clothing across a hanger, or fold them with love, ensuring that every crease falls at just the right place. Giving each piece of clothing a comfortable space to sit within the wardrobe (so there is no overstuffing or excessive friction) will help to preserve your clothing and show it off at its best next time it comes to choosing your outfit. Remember, it’s not about just storage- it’s about preserving your favourite clothes for years to come!
Lastly, the place for storing your fabrics matters a lot. If you are storing cottons in airless spaces such as basements or attics (where temperature and humidity fluctuate greatly), their appearance and odour can be affected. Instead, choose a well-ventilated area where the natural fibre of cotton can circulate air with ease.
Wrapping Up!
At BIORESTORE, we believe that clothing is much more than just a piece of fabric. The timeless memories woven into every thread becomes a part of who we are. To preserve these treasured memories for longer, it’s important to wash, care, and store your clothing properly. By following the tips mentioned in this clothing care guide, you can significantly upgrade your fabric care routine.
Here’s to happy laundry cycles!
