Valuable tips on how to wash a pleated skirt so that it doesn't lose its shape

A silk, knitted or chiffon pleated skirt requires proper care. Errors during washing, drying or ironing irrevocably spoil the appearance of such products.

But this is not a reason to refuse the pleasure of replenishing your wardrobe with a stylish and beautiful thing. If you follow simple rules, a pleated skirt will last for many years, maintaining its original lightness and structure.

We will tell you in the article how to wash a pleated skirt at home in an automatic washing machine and by hand.

Preparing for washing at home

The manufacturer's care recommendations are indicated on clothing labels. for pleated fabric: maximum permissible washing and ironing temperatures, possibility of bleaching and spinning. When starting cleaning, you should study them carefully.

Before washing a pleated skirt, you need to:

1. Assess the degree of contamination of the fabric and the presence of stains. If necessary, remove them using ready-made stain removers or home remedies.
2. Determine the washing method (hand or machine), temperature conditions.
3. Choose a detergent suitable for the specific material (powder, gel, capsules).

Before processing the pleats, it is important to secure the folds. To do this, they are carefully stitched horizontally along the bottom edge or vertically along the entire length. It is important to ensure that the thread is passed freely and does not tighten the fabric. After drying, it is removed.

This method of fastening is not suitable for skirts made of leatherette or very thin, delicate material. The needle may leave visible damage to the fabric. In this case, it is better to carefully roll (but not fold!) the skirt vertically and place it in a special bag or regular stocking.

How to wash pleated clothes by hand?

Skirts made of delicate materials, without significant contamination, can be washed manually, following simple rules:

1. The water temperature should be no higher than 30–35 degrees.
2. Pleated fabric should not be rubbed, twisted or stretched too much.
3. For washing, it is better to use gels or capsules, or carefully monitor the complete dissolution of the powder granules. Undissolved particles can leave streaks and discolor the fabric.
4. Rinsing should be done thoroughly, changing the water at least 3 times.

Then:

1. Prepare a soap solution. Immerse clothes in it.
2. Carefully wash the skirt. Don't rub!
3. Rinse in cool water with the addition of fabric softener. It will help remove static electricity and return lightness and airiness to delicate fabric.
4. Don't squeeze!
5. Place to dry: secure the item to a belt over a bathtub or basin and allow the water to drain. The fabric should dry naturally.

When worn actively, a pleated skirt should be washed quite often (after 4-5 wearings), avoiding the appearance of heavy dirt and stains.

Processing in an automatic machine

Clothes made from pleated fabric can be cleaned in an automatic machine, provided there is a gentle mode and the ability to completely turn off the spin function.In this case, the use of a special laundry bag is mandatory.

If your machine provides pre-soaking, you can use this option. This treatment is safe for fabric, subject to the following rules:

• delicate operating mode of the machine;
• minimal water heating (up to 30 degrees). Preferably wash in cold water;
• spin must be turned off or not exceed 400 rpm (for polyester items);
• It is better to choose gel detergents marked “For delicate fabrics”;
• An additional rinse mode is acceptable, but with the obligatory use of fabric softener.

Drying is carried out in the standard way: you need to fasten the skirt to the belt and allow the water to drain. Clothes made of knitwear or wool can be blotted with a terry towel, being careful not to damage the folds.

The video will show you how to wash a pleated skirt in a washing machine:

How to dry?

Improper drying of pleated clothing leads to creases and deformation of the folds.

Immediately after washing you need:

• fasten the skirt to the belt on trouser hangers with clothespins;
• allow the water to flow freely into the bathtub or basin;
• then you can take the item out into the fresh air, but avoiding drafts;
• In order for the fabric to straighten out better under its own weight, the skirt should be shaken periodically.

The wet material must be carefully smoothed out with your hands, forming folds. This will help avoid steaming the dried product.

How to stroke?

If dried properly, chiffon and silk skirts will not need to be ironed.The fabric will stretch and expand under its own weight.

Skirts made from heavier materials are ironed using the lowest possible heat from the iron. Each section is carefully worked out, moving along the folds..

Synthetics are ironed from the wrong side, placing gauze, thin fabric or a special mesh for ironing.

The iron should not leave any creases or marks.. When ironing pleated clothing, you must carefully monitor the formation of clear folds, without displacement.

Place a crumpled leather or denim skirt in the bathroom over a basin of boiling water, close the door tightly and leave for 30–60 minutes. Steam easily smoothes the material without damaging the pleated folds.

Read more about how best to iron a pleated skirt in our separate article.

Stain removal and whitening

The use of bleaches is only possible if there is a corresponding symbol on the product label. Chlorine-containing products can cause irreparable harm to colored items, as well as skirts made of chiffon, silk, and wool.

Fat

A fresh grease stain needs:

1. Cover with talcum powder, baking soda, starch, and baby powder. After absorption, gently shake off.
2. If there is a trace left, fill it again.
3. Wash in any way.

Difficult stains should be carefully treated with dishwashing detergent:

1. Apply a few drops to the damaged area.
2. Leave for 20–30 minutes.
3. Rinse under warm water. Wash the skirt completely.

Blood

Fresh drops needed:

• blot with a napkin soaked in hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice;
• leave for 5–7 minutes;
• rinse with cool water.

You can apply a paste of baking soda and vinegar to dry stains.

Tea, coffee, wine

Drink stains can be removed:

1. Citric acid solution (1 tsp per 100 ml): pour onto the damaged area, leave for 20 minutes. The product is effective against stains from red, white wine, juices, compotes.
2. Table vinegar (9%): moisten a napkin and blot away any drops of tea or coffee.
3. Glycerin with vodka (1:3): apply to traces of champagne or wine, leave for 15 minutes, rinse under running water.

After removing stains, the item must be washed completely in cool water.

Lipstick, cosmetics

Traces of cosmetic products can be removed with medical alcohol:

• apply to a cotton pad;
• Gently blot the stain from the inside out, after placing a clean napkin or paper towel on the front side.

Similarly, you can use vodka or ammonia.

Ink

Ink can be removed from white items with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia (1:1).

A universal remedy for any stains is ordinary laundry soap.. It should be applied liberally to the contaminated area and left for 10–60 minutes (depending on the complexity of the damage). Then rinse the clothes thoroughly and wash them in any way.

To remove a ballpoint pen stain:

1. Apply lemon or onion juice to the damaged area.
2. After 15–20 minutes, rinse with running water.
3. Wash by hand or in a washing machine.

Dry cleaning

When creating pleated fabric, manufacturers use a special impregnation that holds the folds and prevents them from straightening out.The ability of the material to maintain a given shape depends on the quality of impregnation.

Most often, pleated fabrics tolerate home washing well.. Before cleaning a new item for the first time, you should wet a small area and evaluate how the fabric behaves.

If the fold becomes fuzzy or unraveled, the skirt should not be washed. In this case, only dry processing is suitable, which can only be done efficiently by dry cleaning.

You should not neglect the services of professionals even if persistent, complex stains appear.. Home methods for removing stains are not always effective and can lead to fabric damage or deformation of folds.

Recommendations and rules for care

So that the skirt does not lose its original appearance, It is important to care for it properly and follow the recommendations of specialists and manufacturers:

1. You need to carefully study the label on your new clothes and save it.
2. The temperature restrictions for washing and ironing should not be neglected.
3. Drying and storing the pleated skirt is carried out only in a vertical position with a clip-holder on the belt. It should not be thrown over a crossbar in a closet or on a hanger, placed on a shelf or crumpled.
4. Do not allow pleated clothing to become heavily soiled. It is very difficult to remove stains without damaging the folds.
5. There is no need to avoid professional help. Only dry cleaning can remove complex stains without spoiling the texture of the fabric.

If the folds have become fuzzy, they can be fixed at home using one of the following methods:

1. rub the folds with soap;
2. then, carefully fold and iron with a hot iron;
3. using a spray bottle, spray a solution of vinegar and water (1:1);
4. after this, carefully iron each fold through a thin cloth or gauze;
5. use gelatin or starch - you need to prepare a solution, moisten gauze and iron the skirt from the wrong side.

Conclusion

A pleated skirt can easily be damaged by improper care. In order for it to serve for many years, you need to strictly follow the rules and recommendations for washing, drying and ironing, be careful with storage and remove dirt in a timely manner. In addition, do not neglect the help of professionals.