Washing & caring for polyester clothing: What you should consider

Washing polyester in the washing machine: 3 tips for gentle cleaning

Just like other synthetic materials, polyester has certain properties that you should know before putting your clothes in the washing machine for the first time. You will usually find the washing instructions on the care label of your clothing. If the label has already been removed, we would like to provide you with the most important general tips for washing polyester.

Tip 1: Do not wash polyester clothing at excessively high temperatures

Polyester clothing generally does not tolerate high washing temperatures – and they are not necessary anyway, as this synthetic material is relatively resistant to dirt compared with natural materials. Dirt and sweat are less readily absorbed by the fibres and are instead more easily transported away. This is one reason why sportswear is so often made from polyester.

In addition, polyester can shrink during washing if you select temperatures that are too high on your washing machine, and this can happen from as little as 60 °C. It is therefore best to choose a wash cycle at 30 or 40 °C and select a relatively low spin speed to help protect the fabric structure and care for your clothing appropriately.

Tip 2: Wash polyester with care

As polyester is a synthetic fibre, microfibres can be released from the fabric during washing. The amount can be influenced by factors such as the washing temperature, detergent and mechanical stress.

To reduce the release of microfibres into wastewater, you can use special laundry bags for your polyester clothing. When you place your clothes in these bags during washing, they can catch some of the released fibres before they enter the wastewater. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for using the respective laundry bag.

Tip 3: Choose the right detergent for polyester

Intensive detergents or chemical laundry additives can also put greater strain on polyester fibres. While there is no general reason to avoid using fabric softener based solely on the properties of the material, depending on the garment it may be useful to avoid it or choose mild products instead.

When choosing a detergent, it is important to first sort your clothes by colour. For coloured garments, it is better to choose mild colour or delicate detergents and follow the care instructions on the label.

For white polyester clothing, you can also use a heavy-duty detergent, provided the care label allows it. It is therefore best to sort your laundry by colour and, where appropriate, by material as well.

Drying & ironing polyester clothing: Here's the best way to do it!

You should also treat your polyester garments according to their material properties after washing. Frequent ironing and high temperatures in the tumble dryer can put strain on the fibres. Here are our tips!

No tumble dryer needed: Polyester dries quickly

As polyester does not absorb as much moisture as natural materials, tumble drying is often not necessary. Most garments made from this material should be dry after just a few hours on a clothesline. Air drying is a gentle way to dry polyester.

If you need your clothes to dry more quickly, you can also use the tumble dryer. Choose low temperatures and dry your polyester clothing only for a short time in the dryer, provided the care label allows it. Here too, it is best to sort your laundry by material.

Ironing polyester clothing? Here's how to avoid it!

Ironing polyester laundry is not always necessary either, as it is a very crease-resistant fabric. To help prevent creases, especially in blended materials, hang your washed clothes on the clothesline immediately after washing. You can also hang individual garments on a clothes hanger to dry. This helps prevent the typical crease that can occur when clothes are dried on a clothesline.

If you want your clothing to be particularly smooth – for example, because it is a business outfit – you can also use an iron. However, be careful: Here too, you should avoid high heat and turn your laundry inside out before ironing. Even at low temperatures, polyester can generally be smoothed effectively.

A little tip: A steamer is also particularly practical! When ironing polyester, make sure to follow the recommended temperature settings. Alternatively, you can use steam to help remove creases from the material and create a smooth appearance.