Fibers in garments each react differently when treated with stain removal products and during laundering. Always read hang tags and labels before attempting to remove a stain.
Olefin
Olefin fibers can be damaged by perchloroethylene solvent used by some dry-cleaners. They are resistant to trichloroethylene and flurocarbon solutions. Be certain to ask your dry-cleaner about the type of solution used.
Olefin fibers are durable and tough but they attract oil stains. Oil stains are easily removed if treated immediately. Heat from a dryer or iron will set them and make them almost impossible to remove. Use a pretreater and wash with a heavy duty detergent in warm water.
All synthetic fibers are heat sensitive and high temperatures in the dryer or when ironing can cause them to melt, shrink or deform. Even the hot-water setting on a washer can create permanent wrinkles in the spin cycle.
Steam pressing can sometimes remove these wrinkles but the high heat required can also cause melting and create holes. And, heat shrinkage may cause the garment to shrink and that cannot be reversed.
Prevent wrinkling of synthetic fiber clothing
- Do not overload washer, clothes should move freely
- Use cold or warm water for washing and rinsing
- Dry clothing using the permanent press setting on your dryer. No high heat.
- Remove clothing immediately at the end of the cycle and do not overdry
- Hang garments on hangers after drying to allow wrinkles to relax or fall out over a few hours.
