It’s easy to bundle up your clothes together and throw them in the washing machine without thinking about the fabrics of individual items. It’s only after they emerge from the wash looking faded, crinkled, and potentially damaged that we realise our mistake.
In fact, 53% of people admit they regularly throw away clothes because they were ruined in the wash. These laundry mishaps can feel surprisingly devastating, especially when it’s a favourite piece that’s now lost its lustre.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the fabrics and styles that are best kept out of the wash, explain why, and share how to keep your clothes looking their best for longer.
Source: Unsplash
Source: Unsplash
Source: Unsplash
Fabrics to keep clear of the washing machine
- Silk
- Wool
- Cashmere
- Leather
- Suede
- Velvet
- Rayon (Viscose)
- Lace
- Embellished and sequined fabrics
Natural fibres can’t take heat or tugging
Natural fibres feel luxurious, but they are far more sensitive to heat, water, and movement than everyday fabrics like cotton or polyester. This means they don’t always hold up well in the washing machine. Here are three natural fibres to take special care of, and how to handle them.Silk
Silk looks strong, but it’s sensitive. Once it’s in the washing machine, the movement from the drum can rub the fabric and strip away its natural sheen. This can leave your piece looking dull and lifeless. On top of that, silk is known to twist, warp, and snag, especially when it’s being tossed around with heavier items. To avoid this, gently hand-wash silk pieces in cold water using a delicate detergent, or take them to a professional cleaner.Wool
Wool and washing machines are a risky mix. When wool is exposed to heat and movement, the fibres tighten and tangle together. This causes wool clothes to shrink and become much thicker. (Have you ever had a soft, loose jumper shrink to a dense top two sizes too small?) If this happens, there’s no easy way back, so it’s best to avoid the wool-and-washing-machine combination. We recommend washing wool gently by hand in cold water using a wool-safe detergent, or send it to a professional cleaner.
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Cashmere
Cashmere is a delicate wool, so it needs extra care. It’s soft, lightweight, and usually not cheap, which makes it all the more frustrating to lose it to a machine mistake. A spin cycle in the washing machine can stretch it out in some places and make the fabric feel rougher. Luckily, cashmere is a naturally self-cleaning fibre. It’s breathable and odour-resistant, so it can generally go longer between washes, especially when you air it out. However, after every five to seven wears, it’s a good idea to hand-wash your pieces in cold water with a delicate detergent and reshape them while drying. Alternatively, take these special pieces to a professional cleaner.Structured and treated materials can’t handle water
Some fabrics rely on their structure and finish to look their best. When that’s damaged, the whole piece can lose its appeal. Water and movement can quickly break down these materials, leaving them misshapen and flat. Here are three structured materials to keep well away from the washing machine, and how to handle them instead.Leather
Leather might seem durable, but it does not mix well with water. When leather is soaked, it strips away the natural oils that keep it soft and flexible. As it dries, the material can shrink, stiffen, and even crack, leaving it looking dull and dated. Instead, spot clean gently with a damp cloth, air it out regularly, and take it to a professional now and then to properly treat and condition the material.Suede
Suede is highly porous, which means it absorbs water quickly, often leading to dark spots, stains, and a stiff, rough texture once it dries. Even a single wash can leave it looking uneven and permanently splotchy. To avoid this, keep suede well away from water. Use a suede brush for light cleaning. For anything deeper, take it to a professional cleaner.
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Velvet
Velvet has this beautiful, raised texture, but that’s exactly what makes it a liability. In the washing machine, the weight of water and the movement of other clothes can crush the fibres, flattening the fabric in different directions and leaving it looking patchy. To keep velvet’s soft, plush finish intact, it’s best to spot clean it gently where needed, or take it to a professional cleaner who knows how to preserve its texture.Intricate and synthetic fabrics don’t mix with rough washing
Some fabrics are delicate because of how they’re made, rather than what they’re made from. This could be anything with fine detailing, loose fibres, or added embellishments. These pieces don’t handle the roughness of a washing machine well, and a single wash can be enough to stretch or snag them. Here are three intricate and synthetic fabrics to take care with, and how to handle them instead.Rayon (Viscose)
Rayon sits somewhere between natural and synthetic, but it is fragile. When it gets wet, the fibres weaken significantly, which means it can stretch and lose its structure during a wash. Try to handle Rayon with care by washing it gently in cold water and avoiding any twisting or wringing. If the piece is more structured or fitted, we always recommend going to a professional.Lace
Lace is delicate. In the washing machine, it can catch on zippers, buttons, or even other fabrics, leading to small tears that are near-impossible to fix. Always hand-wash lace gently in cold water using a delicate detergent. For sentimental pieces, it’s best to take them to a professional cleaner.
Source: Unsplash
