Laundry instructions for winter clothing: which can be ignored?
Recently, I bought the following:
-Uniqlo Heattech Super Warm Base Layer
-Uniqlo Fleece Full Zip-Up Mid Layer
-Muji Lustrous Wool Mix Thin Socks
The wash instructions for all three of these items are quite finicky. I'll start with the socks.
* Hand wash cold, line dry in shade
* Use neutral detergent
* Wash separately
Base layer and mid-layer:
* Max 40°C, mild process (what does "mild process" even mean?)
* Do not tumble dry
* Line dry in the shade
* Do not iron
* Do not dry clean
* Wash dark colours separately
* No optical brighteners
* Do not soak
* Use cleaning net
Mid-layer also says "reshape while damp" in lieu of "line dry in the shade".
For the first wash, which of these instructions can be safely ignored, and which should absolutely be followed? Are Shout Colour Catchers recommended to prevent colour bleeding? And what counts as "dark colours", anyway?
Also, I've never hand-washed socks in my life. How do I know how much detergent to use? How much water to use? Can I add washing soda to boost the detergent power? How long do I scrub for? I really regret not taking Home Ec in school...
24 Replies
I've never had color bleeding from uniqlo or muji items. I think color bleeding was more of a big deal years ago when detergent was worse.
I feel like uniqlo/muji items are not so delicate that you can't just machine wash everything on cold altogether with any detergent. I'd avoid putting the socks in the dryer, but the other two items are probably polyester and fine to machine dry
I only have experience w/ the uniqlo heat tech but I throw that in the wash and dryer because I dont have the patience to be careful w/ what I use as an underlayer. It pills like crazy, if you don't like that you might be more careful but its probably unavoidable to an extent.
but ive been doing this for at least 6 winters and its holding up fine, otherwise
The mid layer is polyester. The base layer is a cotton/acrylic mix. More specifically...
* Body: 52% Cotton, 41% Acrylic, 7% Spandex
* Waist: 90% Nylon, 10% Spandex
mine has a tag which says "this will pill like crazy" :xd: just be gentle at first
How useful (or useless) would a pilling remover/shaver be?
The mid layer and both base layers have pilling warnings.
for me it would not be worth it as I only wear these things underneath other clothes so I dont care
🤷♂️
the uniqlo heattech i have doesn't pill
it's very smooth
ok i can be more specific
No I meant it as a "different strokes for different folks" kind of response
As for detergent, I use Purex Coldwater, is that one of the crappy brands?
I'm sure it's fine
one moment
All these are so old so they are probably different than current offerings
Mega pilled
oh mine's like a diff type of fabric
Very light pillong
Held up well, quite smooth
Also held up well
Looks terrible
No pillingq
Mild pulling but also this rips easily
Pilling, looks bad
so all in all, my experience is the "ultra warm" has held up the best, but its also warm enough to be uncomfortable inside
if it is even the same as is offered now
also worth noting that the different colors basically feel like different fabrics
Spandex doesn’t like heat, it will break down. So wash cold, and hang dry or tumble dry very low heat if you can.
But also you don’t have to optimize on longevity for your clothes, you can optimize on convenience.