Polyester is the primary material of many everyday items, such as our bags, shopping totes, stretchy clothes, carpets, sofa fabrics, and countless other daily-use objects. Now its time to accept that from microfiber products to plastic materials, polyester has become integrated into nearly every aspect of our lives, making it almost an inseparable part. If you’re wondering what makes polyester so indispensable, it is primarily its flexibility and durability.
Just think of your thin shopping bags carrying heavy weights for extended periods without any damage… We have discussed in previous articles how useful, functional, and budget-friendly polyester can be. In this article, we’ll focus on the care of polyester products, which have become an essential part of our lives. Despite its resilience, polyester products do require certain washing, cleaning, and usage guidelines. If these aren’t followed, your items may quickly deteriorate or lose their elasticity. Well, you may now ask “How do I remove stains from polyester fabric?” then. By adhering to the proper care instructions, you can extend the life of your polyester items. Therefore, let’s see today how to wash polyester and make sure it stays in tip-top shape!
The Nature of Polyester
Before examining the washing and cleaning stages in detail, it’s helpful to understand the characteristics of the material at hand, so you’ll know how to care for your polyester item. First of all, as we mentioned, polyester is highly resistant to wear and tear. This durability makes it a preferred choice for long-lasting textiles and fabrics where durability is essential. You’re likely thinking of shopping bags and totes, but it's not limited to that! For instance, carry-on luggage, which often encounters heavy outdoor use, is commonly made from polyester. Thanks to polyester’s lightweight nature, it doesn’t add extra weight to the items you place inside, making it easier to carry and clean.
One of the features that makes polyester a preferred material is its flexibility and ability to retain shape. The fibers that make up polyester are inherently flexible, which gives them wrinkle resistance. Imagine a polyester bag—you can bend, fold, or squish it, yet it will naturally return to its original form when you release it! This remarkable feature means that even if it loses its shape during washing, it will easily regain it afterward. This also makes polyester suitable for washing in a washing machine.
Now, say you place your polyester bag on a table, and juice spills onto it—oh no! While you might expect it to absorb the juice and become sticky, you’ll notice that it doesn’t soak up the liquid at all. Don’t worry; polyester fibers are water-resistant. For this reason, it’s also safe to use in humid environments or areas where it may come in contact with water. This feature is why polyester is widely used in sportswear, outdoor gear, beach bags, and picnic totes. It seems that your polyester item is ready to offer convenience in every way! Now, let’s look at which types of polyester items are washable and the appropriate washing techniques.
What Polyester Items Can We Wash?
As we said, polyester is present in different proportions in plenty of items you wear or use daily. Two broad categories are clothes, with athleisure items and pro sports apparel in particular, and various reusable grocery bags you use for a wide range of purposes. You probably have a couple of polyester beach bags, polyester shopping bags, or even workbags in your collection. Even if they are resilient to wear and tear, it does not mean you can put them back into your closet without washing and disinfecting them, especially in our health-challenging times.
Overall, if you have owned a polyester training top, parkas, outdoor gear, fleeces, or at least a polyester beach bag or backpack, you know how to wash polyester. It does not support high temperatures or heavy-duty ironing. Nevertheless, there is more to washing this fabric, and we will continue our guide on how to wash polyester depending on your needs!
How to Wash Polyester with a Washing Machine
The first thing to do when you want to wash polyester items is to read the labels. If they warn you about temperatures, make sure you follow the instructions carefully. In rare cases, polyester comes as the only fabric making an item. Most of the time, garments, clothes, and accessories feature a mix of polyester and other textiles (usually cotton). It is crucial to read the labels and make sure the washing machine is safe. If the tag says you should wash polyester by hand, put the items aside. We will discuss how to wash polyester by hand in a few moments.
Now, back to the washing machine. Here are some guidelines on washing polyester to clean and sanitize it without damaging the items in question.
- Use heavy-duty or regular laundry detergent. For good results, we recommend liquid or pods for more effective cleaning.
- Before you put your polyester items in the washing machine, we recommend you turn them inside out. Zippers, buttons, hooks, and other trimmings can snag the fine synthetic fibers, leading to damages over time.
- Set your machine on a cycle that uses warm water (but never hot)! In case your device does not allow you to choose a moderate temperature, go with cold water. Hot water can shrink, melt, or deform polyester items, so keep your tote bags, yoga apparel, etc. away from any heat settings.
- Choose a regular or short washing machine cycle.
- Just as it is the case with washing canvas tote bags, you want to preserve your items’ shape and function, so we recommend you to set the centrifuge at the lowest speed. If you can choose a cycle with no centrifuge, it would be for the best.
- As an advice, do not add any special treatments when you wash polyester fabrics. The material does not need fabric softener. Moreover, enhanced detergents created against stains could harm the fabric.
- If you want to pick a drying cycle type (although we do not recommend one for polyester tote bags), go for the permanent press one for clothes and apparel.
- You can also tumble dry your polyester clothes and accessories on a cool setting to avoid shrinking. To minimize the risk of static buildup or fabric wrinkles, take the items out of the dryer while still damp.
As a note, we always recommend air-drying your canvas shopping bags, jute fashion tote bags, and polyester accessories. Concerning ironing, for polyester clothes, you could use a very low setting on your iron. However, if you have polyester clothes, a balcony, a clothesline, or some clothes hangers, air-drying also eliminates the need for ironing. As long as you don’t hang polyester tank tops, tote bags, or parkas in full, direct sun, the items will dry and iron naturally and without effort. Drying polyester clothes in the full sun also endangers their colors and shape, so make sure you choose the right spot on your balcony.
How to Wash Polyester by Hand
Washing polyester by hand is the safer approach, especially if you have to clean large items, such as beach bags, office tote bags, backpacks, and more. Given their structural complexity, dimensions, and trimmings, it is better to hand wash such items. All you need is a basin, the kitchen sink, or the bathtub.
- Fill the basin with warm water and laundry detergent and let the polyester item soak well;
- Swirl the item in the basin until you are sure it lost all dust, grime, dirt, etc.
- Rinse in cold water. Use your shower for some water pressure to eliminate embedded soap and leftover dirt;
- Do not wring the polyester clothes or tote bags you just washed, because you will cause fabric damage or wrinkles. Press to remove the excess water. Alternatively, lay the item on a towel and roll them, so the towel absorbs the moisture.
How to Wash Polyester: Pre-Wash Stain Removal
Some of the most significant polyester issues are food stains on your polyester grocery shopping bags or oil stains on your poly beach bags. Pre-washing stain removal is not hard. Rub a generous quantity of liquid laundry detergent gently on the stain and let the item sit for about 20 minutes. Then, wash your item in the washing machine or by hand, as you prefer.
To avoid heat setting the stains, first check the status of the stain. If it is not gone, repeat the process before putting the polyester item into the dryer.
How to Wash White Polyester Items
We recommend washing white polyester tote bags and items individually and by hand. In case you want to remove oil stains, mix warm water and vinegar in equal parts, and gently rub the stain before washing. We recommend trying the water/vinegar solution on a small area inside the polyester item to avoid burns or discolorations.
Oops! Something Went Wrong!
No matter how careful you are, sometimes you might forget the care instructions during washing and accidentally damage your polyester item with improper handling. But don't worry, with a few simple steps, it’s still possible to restore your polyester product or ensure its continued use.
If your polyester item gets damaged or deformed during washing, try ironing it on a low heat setting. Since polyester is not resistant to high temperatures, it can wrinkle or shrink when washed with cotton products. To prevent melting or further deformation, you can smooth out wrinkles by using a steam iron to soften the fibers.
If your item has shrunk or changed shape, you can gently moisten it with lukewarm water and reshape it by lightly stretching it until it returns to its original form. If this isn’t enough, we recommend using fabric softener sprays or special polyester sprays to help restore the item's elasticity. However, the most reliable and lasting solution is to take your item to a dry cleaner before any further damage occurs.
Bottom Line
Do you have other suggestions on how to wash polyester? In case you do have some tricks up your sleeve, we would be happy to hear from you and share your tips with our community!
Your Questions Answered
Should I use hot or cold water to wash polyester?
When washing polyester items, it's generally best to use cold or lukewarm water. Cold water helps preserve the shape and flexibility of polyester while reducing the risk of wrinkling and shrinking. Hot water can weaken polyester fibers and cause the fabric to lose its elasticity.
Can I use bleach when washing polyester clothes?
Notice! Bleach should not be used when washing polyester clothing. Bleach can weaken polyester fibers, damage the fabric's structure, fade colors, or cause yellowing. Instead, if you need to remove stains or brighten the fabric, it’s safer to use oxygen-based stain removers or mild detergents.
Is it safe to dry polyester in a dryer?
It is generally safe to dry polyester items in a dryer, but caution is necessary. Since polyester is sensitive to high heat, it is recommended to use the low heat setting on the dryer. High heat can cause polyester to shrink or deform.
