Proper care of thermal underwear: how to wash it in a washing machine?

Thermal underwear is certainly a very functional wardrobe item. It perfectly retains body heat, while removing natural fumes from it. However, in order for such things to not lose their qualities for a long time, proper care is required. First of all, washing and drying. How to wash thermal underwear in a washing machine and can it be done?

General rules

They are not so complicated, but they must be respected. Otherwise, clothing will lose its ability to remove moisture, which means that it will cease to properly warm the body.

• After purchasing the product, we carefully study the label. It will necessarily indicate all the features of care: how to wash, dry, whether it is possible to iron, use machine wash, etc.
• We do not allow severe pollution: this can deprive a thing of its properties. And just to remove it will be difficult.
• We choose a washing method depending on the fibrous composition of the fabric. So, for synthetics dry cleaning and washing with aggressive substances such as chlorine or other bleaches are contraindicated.
• Products made of wool, especially merino, require a particularly delicate approach because of their delicate structure.
• Items made of polypropylene are not recommended for machine washing. They need a temperature below 30 degrees, so there can be no talk about any boiling. Ironing is also contraindicated.
• With daily wear, we wash the thermal underwear at least twice a week. If clothes are used for sports, we wash them after each workout.
• It is recommended to wash thermal underwear in the machine in the most delicate mode, it is mandatory when the spin function is disabled, otherwise its structure will be violated.

Suitable Laundry Detergents

Proper washing of thermal underwear implies the knowledge of two main nuances: what to wash and in what mode. Any errors in both the first and second questions will lead to the fact that the thing will lose its properties and lose its appearance.

To begin with - what can not be washed:

• any granular powder (usual dry) - its particles can violate the delicate structure of the material, especially if the powder contains too active components;
• laundry soap - its composition is aggressive for thermal underwear.

In order not to harm the product, you can use:

• means intended specifically for washing thermal underwear - they not only clean it of impurities and odors without damaging it, but also strengthen the fibers and restore the breathable properties of the fabric;
• the so-called "liquid powders" are washing gels with a much softer effect on textile fibers than ordinary powder. With those contaminants that occur on thermal clothing, liquid detergents usually do well;
• antistatic agents, air conditioners - they are used for gentle care and do no harm to things.

Each fabric has its own approach.

The fibrous composition affects not only the properties of the finished product and its price, but also the ability to withstand certain loads during washing: intensity, duration, temperature, spin. It is clear that hand washing is optimal. But it does not always have time and energy. The machine version remains. Consider how to properly wash the underwear in the machine, depending on the composition of the fabric.

• Wool.

It makes the warmest things, but the finickiest ones. For them, a washer is the most extreme option. But if there is no other, then they are washed in the “Wool” mode, having previously disabled the spin option, at a temperature of no higher than 35 degrees, using a liquid detergent for wool.You need to wring the woolen thing with your hands, minimally, and iron, if necessary, at the lowest temperature, through a damp cloth, without pressure.

• Cotton.

Very popular fiber for the production of heat-holding laundry. Due to the natural hygroscopicity of cotton, thermal products from it can withstand up to 8 hours of intense sweating, keeping the body warm. When washed in a washing machine, such laundry can withstand temperatures up to 40 degrees. In this case, cotton items must be thoroughly rinsed (you can add an additional rinse option to the wash cycle).

• Polyester.

Basically, this fiber is used for the manufacture of warming underwear, which is used for intensive sports. Polyester also allows machine wash at a temperature of 30–35 degrees in a delicate mode without spinning. Withstands ironing at low temperature.

Thermal underwear made of polypropylene, as already mentioned, is not intended for machine cleaning. But if this is a one-time and forced measure, try to minimize all risks. Choose a delicate mode with a minimum cycle time, set the temperature to 30 degrees and, of course, turn off the spin. You can put such a set in a special protective bag for washing delicate items before starting the procedure: it will reduce the effect of friction on the drum.

Drying after washing

Improper drying of laundered thermal underwear can ruin it, as well as improper detergent or improperly selected washing mode. Fibers can dry out, warp, become brittle, lose their “breathing” structure.

All this can be avoided by drying capricious products correctly. Here are the key recommendations:

• Do not wear wet underwear (so that it dries on the body).
• Drying things is necessary at a plus temperature in a ventilated room (or on a balcony).
• Such products can not stand the spin (especially - unscrewing by hand), so the drying process will be longer than for other clothes.
• You need to dry thermal underwear by hanging it vertically, if possible not on clothespins, and not on the shoulders.
• During drying, direct sunlight should be avoided.
• “Forced” drying can also ruin things (on a heating radiator, in the immediate vicinity of heaters, or using a hairdryer).

At first glance, the process of washing thermal clothing seems very troublesome and "tricky." But in fact, all these rules are not so difficult to follow. And thanks for this will be the long life of your favorite and such functional things.