Caring for Cotton : Tips and Tricks to Maintain the Quality and Longevity of Your Cotton Clothing

 Cotton is a versatile natural fiber that can be woven into fabrnullic with varying degrees of softness, moisture-wicking ability & breathability. Pure 100% cotton in apparels is most desirable and yet it may become tedious to maintain its original look.

Caring for cotton is simple, but just needs a little bit of effort.

Listed below are the things to bear in mind to maintain your cotton Clothing.

Always sort your wash load

Do not mix clothes that bleed colour with whites & pastels. Separate clothes based on the degree of soiling.

Washing Temperatures

Whether bucket or machine wash use cold water since hot water can shrink cotton, and may cause stains to set into the fabric.

Use mild detergents

Avoid harsh chemicals that can weaken cotton causing wear & tear.

Turn clothes inside out

Before you put cotton clothes for a wash, turn them around - this helps preserve the fabric sheen & colour.

Say no to bleach

Bleach weakens & yellows fabric so use with caution or avoid completely. Do read the garment label for manufacturer instructions.

• You could use natural bleaching agents like lemon juice instead.
•  Oxybleach or hydrogen peroxide is also a good alternative.

Gentle wash cycle

Run your clothes on the gentle cycle in the washing machine. To reduce mechanical stress and prolong the garment's life.

Avoid fabric softener

Fabric softeners deposit a residue on the fabric reducing the absorbability & breathability of cotton.

Alternatively, you can add a cup of white vinegar & a tablespoon of baking soda to the softener dispenser.

Drying

The gentlest way to dry clothes is to hang them in the shade away from direct sunlight to avoid fading of colours. Too much heat from the dryer may also damage the fabric.

Stain Removal

Cotton absorbs liquids readily and so stains easily. Blot the stain before it spreads. Apply a stain-removing treatment and then wash the garment. Cold water is the best to remove most stains. Oil stains can be treated with a mixture of baking soda, white vinegar, and mild soap.

Ironing

Iron cottons on medium temperature settings to avoid damaging the fiber.

Storage

Keep clothes in a cool & dry place to avoid the attack of mildew.

Follow these simple tips to have a wardrobe that looks clean and fresh.