You chose the fabric well, sewed with care and the garment turned out just as you wanted. Now it needs to last. Cotton is one of the easiest fabrics to care for, but with a few small habits you will stop it shrinking, running or losing its shape. This is the practical guide, always keeping an eye on what the label of your fabric says.
Before the first wash
- Pre-wash the fabric before cutting. It is the step that avoids the most surprises with sizing.
- Separate by colour, especially intense ones, which can release dye in the first washes.
- Wash inside out printed or brightly coloured garments to protect the colour.
How to wash it
- Choose the temperature according to the fabric. For everyday wear, 30 or 40 °C is usually enough. Whites and hard-wearing weaves can take more, but heat wears fabric down.
- Use a gentle detergent. Avoid bleach on coloured items.
- Do not overload the machine, so the garment rinses properly.
How to dry it
- Air drying is best. Hang it or lay it flat in the shade, out of prolonged direct sun, which fades colours.
- The tumble dryer is what shrinks it most. If you use it, choose a low temperature and take the garment out slightly damp.
- Take it out of the machine promptly so creases do not set.
How to iron it
Cotton can take high temperatures and is best ironed slightly damp. Iron prints and dark colours inside out so they do not shine. If you want a reminder of why ironing matters so much when sewing, see how to sew cotton without mistakes.
How to store it
Store it clean and completely dry, folded or hung, and not squashed. Damp is its enemy: a closed wardrobe with damp clothes ends up smelling.
The most common mistakes
- Washing in water that is too hot, which shrinks it and dulls the colour.
- Mixing intense colours with light garments.
- Drying in the sun for hours.
- Forgetting to pre-wash before cutting.
If you want to know the rest of the advantages and disadvantages of cotton, we cover them in the advantages and disadvantages of cotton.
