Washing your favorite delicate clothing can feel intimidating when you’re sharing laundry facilities with your neighbors. Delicate fabrics like silk, lace, and fine knits require special care to keep them looking their best. These items can easily shrink, stretch out of shape, fade, or even suffer irreparable damage if you do not wash delicates properly.
When you wash delicates the wrong way can mean more frequent replacements and added costs. It’s even more important to know how to wash delicates the right way in a shared laundry environment, where machines are used by many and may lack the most ideal settings.
It’s not all bad news. With just a few simple best practices, you can confidently wash delicates, protect your investment, and enjoy your favorite pieces for years to come. This article walks you through three essential steps: reading care labels and sorting carefully, choosing the right washing method and detergent, and drying and storing with care.
1 – Always read care labels and sort delicates properly
Tossing all your garments into the same load and hoping for the best is a recipe for disaster. Before you start any wash cycle, always take a moment to check the care labels. They’re your best guide for how to wash delicates. They provide essential instructions for water temperature, recommended wash cycles, and whether an item should be hand-washed, machine-washed, or dry-cleaned. Ignoring care labels leads to shrinkage, stretching, and permanent fabric damage, particularly with items like cashmere, lace, and silk.
Once you’ve checked the labels, sort your delicates by fabric type and color. Grouping similar fabrics together prevents rougher materials from causing snags or abrasions. Separate lights from darks and brights to avoid color bleeding. For instance, never wash a red lace camisole with a white silk blouse.
Some garments are labeled “dry clean only.” Never wash these in a traditional washing machine, as water and agitation can cause irreparable harm to the fabric or structure of the item. When in doubt, it’s always safest to hand-wash or take the item to a professional dry cleaner.
2 – Choose the right washing method and detergent
When it comes to washing delicates, choosing the right method and detergent is essential to preserve their look and feel. Hand-washing and machine washing can be effective, but each has its place depending on the garment and its care label.
Hand-washing is the gentlest method. It’s ideal for the most fragile items, such as lace, silk, or anything labeled “hand wash only.” Use a clean sink or basin filled with cool water and add a small amount of mild, gentle detergent when hand-washing. Gently agitate the water to distribute the detergent, then submerge your garment, lightly swishing it for a few minutes. Avoid wringing or twisting so as not to ruin the fabric’s natural shape. Simply rinse thoroughly and remove excess water by gently pressing the item between clean towels.
Machine washing is suitable for some delicates, but only if the care label calls for it. Always place items in a mesh laundry bag to protect them from snagging or stretching. Select the “delicate” or “hand wash” cycle, which uses gentle agitation and a low or no spin speed, and opt for cold water to prevent shrinkage and fading. Use a detergent specifically formulated for delicate fabrics. Avoid harsh detergents, bleach, or fabric softeners, as these can break down fibers and damage your garments.
3 – Dry and store delicates with care
Once your delicates are clean, the way you dry and store them is just as important as how you washed them. The heat and tumbling action of a dryer can be especially harsh on fragile fabrics, causing shrinkage, fading, or even permanent damage. That’s why air drying is always the safest choice for these special items.
After washing, gently press out excess water by laying your garment flat on a clean towel and rolling it up. Never wring or twist, as this can stretch or distort the fibers. Once most of the moisture is absorbed, lay your delicates flat to dry on a towel or a mesh drying rack, making sure to keep them out of direct sunlight, to prevent color from fading.
Wrinkle prevention and storage
Some delicate fabrics are prone to wrinkling. If you need to iron them, use the lowest heat setting and place a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric to prevent scorching or shine marks.
When it comes to storage, always fold delicate items or hang them on padded hangers to help them maintain their shape. Avoid hanging heavy knitwear, as this can cause stretching over time. Storing your delicates properly keeps them looking their best and extends their lifespan.
Wash delicates the right way for long-lasting results
Caring for your favorite garments doesn’t have to be complicated. Following a few simple best practices when you wash delicates can make all the difference in keeping your clothing looking fresh and beautiful. First, always read care labels and sort your items by fabric type and color to prevent accidental damage. Next, choose the right washing method and a gentle detergent—whether you’re hand-washing in your apartment or using a mesh bag and the delicate cycle in the laundry room. Finally, dry and store your delicates with care by air drying flat and using proper storage techniques.
Taking just a few extra minutes to wash delicates properly will help your clothes maintain their shape, color, and softness, so you can enjoy them for years. At Automatic Laundry, we know how important it is to protect your wardrobe. Our modern laundry facilities are designed to make laundry day easy and convenient for everyone, including those with special care items. With the right approach and equipment, washing delicates is simple, safe, and stress-free.
