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 vapors from it. However, in order for such things not to lose their qualities for a long time, proper care is required. First of all, wash and dry. How to wash thermal underwear in a washing machine and is it possible to do it?

General rules

They are not that complicated, but they must be followed. Otherwise, clothing will lose its ability to wick away moisture, which means it will no longer properly warm the body.

• After purchasing the product, we carefully study the label. It will definitely indicate all the care details: how to wash, dry, whether it can be ironed, machine washable, etc.
• We do not allow heavy contamination: this can deprive the item of its properties. And it will be difficult to simply wash it off.
• We choose a washing method depending on the fiber composition of the fabric. Thus, dry cleaning and washing with aggressive substances such as chlorine or other bleaches are contraindicated for synthetics.
• Products made from wool, especially merino wool, require a particularly delicate approach due to its delicate structure.
• Items made from polypropylene are strongly not recommended to be washed by machine. They need a temperature below 30 degrees, so boiling is out of the question. Ironing is also contraindicated.
• If worn daily, we wash 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 a machine on the most delicate cycle, always with the spin function turned off, otherwise its structure will be damaged.

Suitable detergents

Proper washing of thermal underwear requires knowledge of two main nuances: what to wash and in what mode. Any mistakes 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 should not be washed:

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

To avoid damaging the product, you can use:

• products designed specifically for washing thermal underwear - they not only clean it of dirt and odors without damaging it, but also strengthen the fibers and restore the breathable properties of the fabric;
• so-called “liquid powders” are washing gels with a much gentler effect on textile fibers than regular powder. Liquid detergents usually cope well with the stains that occur on thermal clothing;
• antistatic agents, air conditioners - they are used for gentle care and do not cause 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 there is not always time and energy for it. The machine option remains.Let's look at how to properly wash underwear in a machine, depending on the composition of the fabric.

• Wool.

It makes the warmest things, but the most finicky. For them, a washing machine is the most extreme option. But if there is no other option, then wash on the “Wool” mode, having previously turned off the spin option, at a temperature no higher than 35 degrees, using liquid detergent for wool. You need to wring out a woolen item with your hands, minimally, and iron it, if necessary, at the lowest temperature, through a damp cloth, without pressure.

• Cotton.

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

• Polyester.

This fiber is mainly used to make warming underwear, which is used during intense sports. Polyester is also machine washable at 30–35 degrees on a delicate cycle without spinning. Withstands ironing at low temperatures.

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 reduce all risks to a minimum. Select a delicate mode with a minimum cycle duration, set the temperature to 30 degrees and, of course, turn off the spin. Before starting the procedure, you can put such a set in a special protective bag for washing delicate items: it will reduce the impact of friction on the drum.

Drying after washing

Improper drying of washed thermal underwear can ruin it, as can the wrong detergent or the wrong washing mode. Fibers can dry out, warp, become brittle, and lose their “breathable” structure.

All this can be avoided if you dry capricious items correctly. Here are the main recommendations:

• Do not wear wet underwear (so that it can dry on the body).
• Items must be dried at above-zero temperatures in a ventilated room (or on the balcony).
• Such products cannot withstand spinning (much less hand-twisting), so the drying process will take longer than for other clothes.
• Thermal underwear should be dried by hanging it vertically, if possible, not on clothespins, not hangers.
• During drying, avoid exposing the product to direct sunlight.
• “Forced” drying (on a radiator, in close proximity to heaters, or using a hairdryer on) can also ruin things.

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 the gratitude for this will be the long service life of your favorite and such functional things.