Textile care: The most important materials & their care

The days are getting longer and the thermometer is slowly but surely showing warmer temperatures: Summer is just around the corner. If you haven't already embraced it, now's the time to swap your winter clothes for light and airy summer wear. For many of us, this means not only bright, cheerful colors and patterns, but also a wider variety of materials. Besides cotton or cashmere, many wardrobes now feature more tops made of delicate silk or viscose, as well as clothing made of linen or polyester. But what can be safely washed and tumble dried, and what should be air-dried? To ensure our clothes shine as brightly as we do this summer, we've compiled the most important textile care tips for you...

The most popular natural fibers & the right textile care

Cotton: How to care for this uncomplicated material

Cotton is one of the most widely used materials. It's a natural plant fiber that's not only very easy to care for, but also absorbs moisture, feels pleasant against the skin, and remains breathable. Textile care is correspondingly simple: cotton can be washed at high temperatures and then dried without any problems. But be careful: it's always worth checking the label, as cotton is often blended with other materials, which means that garments may only be washed at temperatures up to 40°C.

Viscose: Textile care without tumble drying

Viscose is often touted as an alternative to silk. Similar to silk, viscose feels soft, has a distinctive sheen, and drapes beautifully. This makes it a popular choice for blouses, shirts, skirts, and dresses. However, unlike silk, viscose is not made from animal fibers, but from eucalyptus, pine, or beech wood – an important point to remember when caring for viscose garments. Viscose shrinks quickly at higher temperatures, so it's best to wash these items at a maximum of 40°C on a gentle cycle. Viscose is not suitable for tumble drying, but it dries well in fresh air. Clothing made from viscose or viscose blends should be ironed while still slightly damp.

Linen: Proper textile care prevents wrinkles.

Linen is a very popular material, especially in summer, not only for clothing but also for shoes and bags. Linen clothing is light and airy and has a cooling effect on the skin. Linen is obtained from the stem of the flax plant, making it a natural plant fiber. Linen is easy to care for if you pay attention to a few important points. Similar to cotton, the material is very low-maintenance and boasts high tear resistance compared to other textiles. Linen can generally be washed at high temperatures without any problems. Colored linens will retain their vibrancy for a long time if you choose a washing temperature of up to 40°C (104°F). Furthermore, linen prefers to dry in the fresh air and shade, as linen garments often develop many creases in a dryer. But that can also be attractive: In the past, it was said that "linen creases elegantly."

Silk: Textile care for demanding materials

After discussing the three most common plant-based natural fibers, we now turn to animal-based natural fibers, most notably silk. Due to its unique luster and temperature-regulating properties, silk is very popular and is primarily used for making high-quality blouses and dresses. 250 grams of silk are produced from 3,000 silkworm cocoons. Before hatching, the silkworm is soaked in hot water or treated with steam. Not only because of its high price, but also because of its ethically questionable production methods, many people now prefer viscose.

Proper silk care isn't always straightforward. It's recommended to gently hand wash this delicate fabric at low temperatures. For extra care, use a gentle detergent specifically formulated for fine materials. Never tumble dry silk – it's best to dry delicate blouses and tops directly on a hanger. For stubborn stains, it's advisable to take silk garments to a dry cleaner, who can treat blouses and dresses with particular care.

Wool: Wash this natural fiber in cold water only.

Wool is probably the best-known and most popular natural animal fiber. Especially in winter, wool sweaters and coats provide cozy warmth while remaining breathable. Depending on the type of wool, however, the material can be itchy. Sheep's wool is most commonly used. Wool isn't always easy to care for, as it can shrink or felt easily. To enjoy wool clothing for a long time, it should be cared for properly and either hand-washed at a maximum of 30°C or machine-washed on a wool cycle with a special wool detergent. Wool clothing should only be dried flat, otherwise the garment will lose its shape. However, wool is often blended with other materials. For this reason, it's always a good idea to check the care label.

Cashmere: The right textile care for particularly fine wool

Cashmere is one of the most expensive materials and is primarily used for sweaters, hats, and scarves. It comes from the cashmere goat. The material is exceptionally soft, warm, and breathable, making it particularly popular in winter. While cashmere requires some care, it doesn't necessarily need to be dry-cleaned. Garments should not be machine-washed but hand-washed at a maximum temperature of 30°C (86°F). Cashmere should not be kneaded or wrung out and should be dried flat on a towel. Those who care for their cashmere sweaters and cardigans in this way will enjoy these luxurious fabrics for a long time.

The most common synthetic fibers

Polyester: Uncomplicated and easy to care for

Polyester is the most widely produced synthetic fiber. The material is petroleum-based and is considered very dimensionally stable, durable, and almost wrinkle-free. However, it absorbs very little moisture. It dries quickly and is generally very easy to care for. Proper care is simple: it can be machine-washed on a delicate cycle and then tumble-dried on a low setting.

Polyacrylic: When caring for textiles, pay attention to the label.

Polyacrylic has similar properties to polyester; it is very dimensionally stable, durable, and generally easy to care for. However, it is not very breathable, which is why you often sweat more in polyacrylic fabrics. Clothing made of polyacrylic can be machine-washed at up to 40°C, but tumble drying should be avoided as much as possible. However, it's always worth checking the care label for proper garment care instructions, as polyacrylic is often blended with other materials, which makes it more resilient.

Polyamide: How to care for sportswear and rain jackets

The third material in the group, polyamide, shares many positive qualities with its predecessors: it is durable and tear-resistant, wrinkles very little, and therefore requires no ironing. It bonds easily with other fabrics, which is why it is often combined with other materials. However, it is sensitive to heat and should not be washed above 40°C. For the same reason, it is recommended to air-dry clothing made of 100% polyamide. It is often used for rain jackets, linings, and, like its predecessors, for sportswear.

Textile care and sustainability

In the interest of resource-conserving consumption, natural fibers from sustainable production are becoming increasingly popular. However, there are several things to consider not only when choosing the material, but also when caring for textiles. For example, textiles should only be washed at the highest temperature necessary. Furthermore, the washing machine should be filled completely, rather than washing just one or two items, to optimize water consumption. The detergent chosen also plays a significant role, as it enters the water cycle via the wastewater. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for natural detergents. Several natural alternatives are now available; these are palm oil-free and primarily based on organic oils or surfactants derived from plant-based raw materials. When dosing detergent, it is important to use sparingly. Additionally, using a dryer has significant drawbacks, not only in terms of the durability of the materials and your electricity bill, but also because high energy consumption burdens the environment, especially if the energy is not generated from sustainable sources.

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