How to Launder Delicate Clothing

Delicate clothing items often require special wash and or drying methods to keep the item in good shape and make it last longer. That’s why it’s important to pay special attention to these items once laundry day comes around.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Delicate Fabrics

A common mistake people make is washing delicate clothes the same way they wash regular clothes. Putting them in a heavy washing cycle, using strong detergents, or wringing them out can damage the fabric. These actions can cause the material to lose its softness, shape, or even tear. Delicate fabrics need special care, so it’s important to treat them gently.

What items are (or may be) considered delicate?

items with metallic thread
items with beading
items with embroidery
knits & wool items
items made with silk or rayon
authentic sports jerseys
lace/ loose knits
some lingerie

If you’re new to the laundry game, just know that, in time, you’ll learn to distinguish these items just by touch. For now, it’s best to be cautious and read the care tags whenever you’re unsure!

Preparation Before Washing

Before you wash delicate clothes, make sure to separate them from your regular laundry. Mixing them can cause friction, which leads to wear and tear. If you spot a stain, gently dab it with a bit of mild detergent and rub it softly with your fingers. Don’t scrub, as that can damage the fabric. Always use a mild, fragrance-free detergent made for delicates, as it’s gentler on the fabric and helps keep the clothes soft and in good shape.

Products to Use

For best results, use a mild detergent such as Woolite or something similar and cold water. For a more DIY type detergent, use 3/4 cup of borax or baking soda. You can find several other recipes online if that’s what you prefer. We really find it useful to have actual Woolite on hand in my laundry product arsenal.

You could use a touch of liquid fabric softener with certain fabrics to relax the fibers and add a fresh scent. Just be careful. Read the tag or you can even google the fabric content to be certain you’re using compatible products.

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Washing Techniques

Washing

To process these items, use the delicate setting on your machine or simply wash by hand in the sink in cool water. If you’re washing via machine, you may even want to use mesh wash bags (sometimes called lingerie or delicate bags) available at Walmart, Target, Amazon and even some grocery stores. Make sure they have a hidden zipper and use a separate mesh bag for each item. This helps minimize the agitation and spin of the machine and keeps items from potential snags. This is especially important for top loading machines with an agitator, but a smart measure with ALL machines, to be safe.

Drying

We recommend air drying or use the lowest setting on your dryer. Heavy fabrics or knits should lay flat on a towel to dry. Whereas most of the lighter, thin fabrics will dry better on hangers.

When in Doubt, READ the Label

Most delicates have very detailed instructions and recommendations available right on the tag. Take the time to read it. You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble that way.

Ready to be Laundry-Free?

Lyndsee Onstott

Lyndsee Onstott is the Marketing Manager at Laundry Care, with a deep-rooted history as one of the company’s original care providers. Her journey from hands-on laundry care to strategic marketing gives her unique insights into the service and its customers. Lyndsee's commitment to delivering convenience and quality has helped Laundry Care become a trusted service for busy professionals and families nationwide. Today, she combines her firsthand experience with a passion for customer-focused marketing, ensuring that Laundry Care meets the evolving needs of its clients.