Fabric Knowledge and Care - Types of Fabric

Cotton is a natural fabric made from the fibers of the cotton plant. This fabric tends to be light, breathable, and low maintenance. However, it’s still important that it is cared for properly to make sure that it lasts wash after wash. In this topic, you’ll learn how to properly wash, dry, and care for cotton garments, so you can advise customers on how to do so. This will help you give customers a more enriched buying experience and make them more likely to be satisfied with their purchase.

• Questions (level 1, 2, 3)

• Video module

This topic is currently available in English.

1. Before washing clothing made of cotton, read the label to see if there are any special instructions. This will help prevent you from damaging the garment.

2. You can machine wash cotton garments with any type of detergent. The fabric is more durable than others and doesn’t need to be hand washed.

3. Wash cotton garments in cold or warm water (less than 120°F or 50°C) using the normal cycle on the washing machine to help preserve the fabric’s color.

4. Dry cotton garments in the dryer on the lowest heat setting and/or use the permanent press cycle to better preserve colors and prevent stains on white garments.

5. Dry heavier cotton garments like towels in the dryer on high heat because they are more durable than lighter garments like t-shirts.

6. Do not dry cotton clothing, especially white garments, in direct sun for long periods of time to prevent them from shrinking or yellowing.

7. Iron cotton clothing on the highest heat setting directly over the fabric while it’s still damp. If it’s dry, pre-moisten it and use steam if necessary. This will help remove any wrinkles.

   *Ways to moisten – spray bottle, spray button on the iron

8. Bleach is safe to use on cotton garments, just make sure you use a color-safe bleach for colored garments, so you only remove the stain and not the color.

Polyester is a synthetic material and is often combined with other fabrics in clothing. It’s a strong fabric that typically doesn’t stretch, shrink, or wrinkle. However, you still need to care for it properly to make sure that it remains this way after multiple wears. In this topic, you’ll learn how to wash, dry, and care for polyester clothing items properly. This way, you can confidently speak to customers about how to do so if they have concerns or questions about a polyester garment in your store.

• Questions (level 1, 2, 3)

• Video module

This topic is currently available in English.

1. Before washing a garment made of polyester, read the label to see if there are any special instructions as it is usually combined with other types of fabric. This will help prevent you from damaging the garment.

2. Before washing polyester clothing, turn it inside out. This will help prevent it from snagging on other items in the washing machine.

3. Avoid using high temperatures, both water and heat, on polyester clothing as it can cause the fabric to permanently wrinkle or break down quicker.

4. Machine wash polyester items in warm or cold water and/or use the permanent press setting and an all-purpose detergent, so you don’t damage the fabric. This will also help prevent shrinkage and the colors from bleeding.

5. When washing polyester clothing, add a fabric softener to your washing cycle to reduce the amount of static electricity. You can also use a dryer sheet during the drying cycle instead.

6. Dry polyester clothing in the dryer on a low heat setting and/or using the permanent press cycle. You can also hang these items to dry. This will help maintain the quality of the fabric and avoid shrinkage.

7. Avoid over-drying polyester clothing to prevent wrinkles and shrinkage over time. If the garments are slightly damp after being in the dryer, hang them to dry completely.

8. Iron polyester garments on low to medium heat while they are still damp. If necessary, pre-moisten them. If the heat is too high, you could cause permanent wrinkles, damage, or melt the fabric.

   *Ways to moisten – spray bottle, spray button on the iron

9. To remove a stain from polyester clothing, gently rub a stain remover over the area and let it rest for 10-20 minutes, then wash it. If the stain remains after washing, do not put it in the dryer or it will become permanent.

Wool is a natural fabric typically made from sheep and goat wool. While it’s a durable fabric, it needs to be treated with care to prevent it from changing shape or becoming damaged. In this topic, you’ll learn how to care for wool clothing to help you confidently speak to customers about how to take care of their new purchases. The better they can care for it, the more likely they will be pleased with their purchase and your store.

• Questions (level 1, 2, 3)

• Video module

This topic is currently available in English.

1. Rest wool clothing items for at least one day between wears to preserve their shape and look.

2. For woven wool clothing, brush the fabric lengthwise using a soft clothes brush (has firm, natural bristles for cleaning fabric) after wearing them to remove any lint or surface stains. This will help keep your garments looking new.

3. Hang woven wool clothing on wooden, padded hangers when they’re not being worn. If the garment is knitted, you can fold it and store it in a drawer. This is to prevent stretching in the shoulders.

4. Air out wool garments for an hour before storing them fully zipped and buttoned up in an area where they can breathe. This will help remove any odors and maintain the garments’ elasticity.

5. When storing wool clothing, make sure the pockets are empty. This will prevent the garments from stretching during storage.

6. Use a clothing steamer to refresh wool clothing. The moisture will help remove wrinkles and return it to new.

Wool is a natural fabric typically made from sheep and goats. It needs to be carefully laundered to prevent any damage. In this topic, you’ll learn how to properly wash, dry, remove stains, and iron wool clothing items to help you confidently speak to customers about how to clean their purchase.

• Questions (level 1, 2, 3)

• Video module

This topic is currently available in English.

1. Before washing a garment made of wool, read the label to see if there are any special instructions. This will help prevent you from damaging the garment.

2. Before washing wool clothing, turn them inside out to help maintain the quality of the fibers.

3. If the label says you can machine wash the wool garment, fully saturate it with cold water before putting it in the machine. Then use cold water and a mild detergent and set the machine on the delicate or gentle cycle. This will help prevent shrinkage or changes to the garment’s shape.

4. To hand wash a wool garment, use cold water and a mild detergent to preserve its shape and color. Let the item soak for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it thoroughly in cold water until its no longer soapy.

5. If you need to remove a stain from a wool garment, use an absorbent cloth dipped in cold water and gently dab the stain instead of rubbing it. Rubbing the fabric could damage it or cause it to lose its shape.

6. To dry a wool garment, place it on a towel and roll it to gently press out any excess water. Then lay it flat on a towel or drying rack away from heat or sunlight to dry at room temperature. This helps preserve its shape and prevents it from yellowing or shrinking.

   *Note: heat is bad – make sure it’s not near a heat source like a radiator*

7. Never use bleach or hot water on wool garments. Both can damage and reshape the clothing or change their color.

8. Do not iron wool clothing when it is completely dry. Iron wool garments inside out using steam and the wool setting if available. Make sure you lift the iron instead of sliding it across the fabric to avoid damaging the garment.

Whether you’re selling skinny, flare, ripped, or boot-cut, all jeans and denim fabrics require special care to make sure that they last as long as possible. While denim is a fairly durable fabric, if it’s treated improperly, the fibers can start to fade, tear, pill, and shrink. In this topic, you’ll learn how to properly wash, dry, and care for denim clothing, so you can advise customers on the best way to make their new favorite denim garments look their best even after several wears and washes.

• Questions (level 1, 2, 3)

• Video module

This topic is currently available in English.

1. Before washing any clothing made of denim, read the fabric care label to see if there are any special instructions. This will help prevent you from damaging the garment.

2. Wash denim garments once every 5-10 wears. Over-washing the fabric could cause it to lose its color or shape.

3. Use a damp cloth and a small amount of detergent to dab and clean any small stains on denim garments instead of washing them. This will help keep them clean without over-washing them.

4. Before washing denim garments, fasten all zippers and/or buttons and turn them inside out to prevent them from fading, stretching, and snagging on other items.

5. If a denim garment’s label says it’s machine washable, use cold water (no higher than 30°C) and the machine’s delicate or gentle cycle to prevent fading and shrinking.

6. When washing denim garments, use a small amount of detergent. If you use too much it can build up in the fabric and cause strange odors.

7. To hand wash denim garments, submerge them in cold water with a small amount of detergent. Let them soak for 15-30 minutes, then thoroughly rinse them three times to remove the detergent before drying them.

8. To remove excess water from denim fabrics, roll them up and gently press down on them. Avoid wringing them as this could damage the fabric.

9. If it’s safe to put the denim garment in the dryer, use low heat and the delicate or gentle setting, but remove it while it’s still damp, and air dry it. This will help prevent creases and help it maintain its shape or fit.

10. Hang or lay denim garments flat to dry in the shade, making sure to shape and smooth them out with your hands first. This will help them last longer, as well as prevent fading or shrinking.