Striped clothing: the step-by-step method to wash these garments correctly
Laundry time can be stressful and a chore that not many look forward to doing.
Although the advanced technology that our modern washing machines have has made this chore easier, mishaps can still happen and can end up ruining our wash and our clothes. In fact, it is easy for a red sock, for example, to end up in a whites wash, dyeing everything pink; or you could set the wrong temperature and cause your clothes to shrink in too-hot water.
When washing striped fabrics, the challenge is even more complex: how do you deal with a garment with colors that you can't separate? Well, let's find out:
1. Prewash test
If you are washing an item of clothing for the first time, you need to carry out a pre-wash test to find out if the colors will run (or not). Immerse an inconspicuous part of the garment in water (or dab it with a damp cloth) and check if the colors run. If so, you will have to wash this separately.
Try to wash your striped clothes according to dominant color: add the garment to the dark laundry if the dominant color is dark, to a light laundry if the colors are light (or pastel). If the colors are "equal", go with the "bolder" color for this selection.
2. Pre-treat stains
Before putting striped clothes in the washing machine, check for any stains and pre-treat them using cold water and Marseille soap. We advise treating the stain from the inside out, to preven it getting deeper into the fibres. Blot away any residue with a clean, damp cloth and repeat this operation until the stain has faded.
In the case of particularly stubborn stains, you can pre-treat them with a mild oxygen-based bleach, being careful not to leave it on for too long to prevent color loss.
3. Hand- or machine-wash?
Now, it's time to wash your garment, which can be done either by hand or in the washing machine:
- Hand washing is preferable if you are washing your garment for the first time, but also if don't have a lot of laundry or if you are just not sure; immerse the garment in cold water with a little delicate laundry detergent, preferably an eco-friendly one. Agitate the garment with your hands so that all the fibers get wet and let it soak for up to 30 minutes before rinsing out. Do not wring out the garment;
- Using the washing machine can be done if your garment has already been washed in the past; wash at 30 degrees C with a delicate detergent. If you want to be sure that there is no color bleeding, insert a dye-catching cloth into the drum.
4. Air dry
Using the tumble dryer is responsible for the majority of striped garments fading, so do not use this appliance if possible; air dry your garment, turning it inside out and sheltering it from direct sunlight to protect the colours. If you have to use the tumble dryer, set it to the lowest heat cycle.
Thanks to these tips, your striped clothing will stay in pristine condition!