Dress Tips

Fabric Care

Different fabric types should be washed in different ways. Here's an introduction to some common fabrics and tips on how to keep them looking their best.

Cotton

In addition to being one of the most comfortable fabrics, cotton can withstand numerous washing over a range of temperatures and also responds well to color-safe bleach and a good detergent. It also absorbs water better than any other fabric, so you can fight even the toughest stains pretty easily

To keep cottons comfy and looking good:

• For quick stain pre-treating, apply water, seltzer or an ice cube to the affected area. To remove even really dirty stains, presoak in detergent before washing.

• Avoid hot water and hot dryer temperatures if the item is made of cotton knit. Knits are more vulnerable to shrinkage.

• Tumble dry, just long enough to remove wrinkles and moisture. Too much heat can set wrinkles and shrink some cotton fabrics.

• Store cotton out of sunlight as overexposure may weaken or yellow fibers. Always store cotton dry to avoid damaging mildew.

To care for fine cottons:

• Gently hand wash with a mild detergent. Or select the "hand wash" cycle on your washing machine.

• Line dry or dry flat to prevent stretching. Put in dryer on air setting only to restore softness.

• To remove stains, use color-safe bleach on whites. Try a paste of salt and vinegar to remove wine or a detergent paste to remove proteins such as milk and egg yolk.

Linen

Linen is made of flax fiber (from the plant's stem) and is remarkably strong, durable and functional. Linen resists deterioration from sunlight and abrasion and softens as it ages. This fabric feels cool and comfortable in hot weather, dries quickly and doesn't lint — even though it can wrinkle readily

To care for bast fibers:

• Avoid creasing clothing made of linen or ramie in the same places repeatedly — the fabric will eventually weaken at that crease point.

• When choosing colored linen, ramie or hemp clothing, look for a label that says "colorfast" or "vat dyed" for better colorfastness. If your linen or ramie garment is machine washable, use a shorter or gentler agitation cycle and air dry.

• These fabrics soften as they age, but you can speed up the process by adding a fabric softener to the rinse cycle.

• For washable, delicate linen or ramie, hand wash with soap rinse thoroughly and dry flat. Pay special attention to re-shape the item appropriately.

• If you need to remove a stain from any of these fibers, soak the item in cool water with soap before washing. Don't rub the spot. Ramie, especially, is susceptible to color loss from abrasion.

• Never use bleach. It can weaken the natural fibers.

• Iron linen or ramie garments while they are still damp on medium or high heat.

What is the Best Way to Remove Stains from Dresses?

If you’re somewhere with a sink, dab the stain with cold water. Dabbing loosens the stain. If you rub the stain, it’ll just grind it in deeper and wear out the fibers. Blot as much of the stain as you can until you’re at a place where you’ll be able to employ stronger methods. If there’s still a bit of the stain left, you have several recourses. Vinegar is great for helping to remove stain from fabric.

Here are some other hints to help you remove stains:
  • If you spill red wine, chase it with some white. White wine neutralizes red wine. If you spill some red on the carpet or a favorite blouse, just pour white wine over the stain and watch it disappear.
  • Hydrogen peroxide will remove wine as well. Keep in mind however, that it’s a bleaching agent. If you’re using it on colored fabric, test first in a hidden area. You might want to dilute it in two parts water to be on the safe side.
  • Try a mixture of one part dish detergent to three parts water. Blot until the stain is lifted and launder as usual.
If you act quickly, any one of the above methods should remove wine from your clothing with no problem. If it doesn’t, take the garment to your dry cleaner. Be sure to show him the stain in case he has a special detergent he wants to use for that particular spot.

Another important note:
Don’t apply heat to a stained area. If you place stained clothes in the dryer or use an iron, the stain will become a permanent addition to the fabric.