Tips and tricks on how to properly wash thermal underwear

Thermal underwear is made from various materials, and there are heated models. These clothes are washed in different ways. But there are also general rules.

Is it possible and how to properly wash thermal underwear in a washing machine and by hand, how to bleach it, how to dry it after washing, can it be ironed? You will find answers to these and other questions in the article.

Preparing for washing

Thermal underwear, which contains wool and synthetics, becomes covered with pellets after frequent washing. To prevent small balls from forming, the product must be prepared in advance:

1. Turn things inside out, with the nap inside.
2. Remove dirt stains with a dry brush, getting rid of sticky fibers.
3. Comb the long pile against the grain and shake. Then turn it inside out.
4. Study carefully the information on the model label, which indicates the water temperature, washing method, and contraindications for this product.
5. On the panel of the automatic machine, the minimum rotation speed of the drum is set so that the pile does not get lost or tangled.
6. The temperature is chosen no higher than 30 degrees so that the weaving threads do not stick together and melt.
7. Disable spin mode.
8. A basin of sufficient volume is filled with warm, soft water, in case of hand washing.
9. The resulting pellets are removed with a safety razor or a special machine.

1. Fasten zippers, rivets, buttons, and Velcro.
2. Sew buttonholes during washing with a few light stitches to avoid stretching of the woven fabric.
3. Remove heating elements and wires from special pockets so that they do not fall into the water. Shake out dust from the grooves.
4. Remove all contents from pockets. So that sharp objects do not remain, which, during the rotation of the drums, tear the fabric and damage the mechanisms of washing machines.

A current short circuit occurs in them. That's why, Before washing, they must be removed from special pockets.

How to choose a detergent?

It is preferable to wash thermal underwear with products specifically designed for this purpose. They are somewhat more expensive, but maintain quality and carefully clean the fabric. Usually these are viscous liquids that soften water and remove static charge, which is especially important.

Recommended conditioners and specific detergents:

• Toko Eco Textile Wash;
• Grangers Performance Wash;
• NIKWAX BASEFRESH;
• Nikwax BASEWASH;
• TOKO Funktional Sportswear Care;
• Grangers Active WASH.

Simple washing powder clogs the lint of warm fabrics and wool, and microfiber holes. It is better to discard it or dissolve it thoroughly before use to get rid of hard grains.

Special cleaning solutions, gels are more economical and convenient. A big plus is that the flowable gels do not contain phosphates, which are harmful to the environment. Thanks to this, they are not capable of causing allergies.This makes it possible to wash clothes that are adjacent directly to the body in these solutions.

This environmentally friendly method is more convenient to use in the process of manual, gentle washing of woolen and fleecy items.

How to properly process it in a washing machine?

The prepared thermal underwear is placed in the washing machine, programmed to mode:

• "wool";
• "delicate wash";
• "handwash";
• "silk".

These machine operating options ensure gentle treatment of the fabric.

The delicate effect is obtained due to several factors:

• maximum volume of water;
• temperature not higher than 30 degrees;
• spin is disabled;
• A special bag is used for products that require especially careful handling.

This preserves the shape of things and extends the life of the automatic machine. It is advisable to place different parts of the kit in different laundry bags.

The machine will wash and rinse. If opaque water flows out, rinsing can be repeated several times..

Immediately after stopping the mechanism, you need to open the door and leave things inside to let the water drain out. For 10-15 minutes. Then the items are taken out of the drum and laid out on a horizontal surface for drainage.

Manual cleaning

For hand washing, you should also prepare thermal underwear. Take a deep, large-volume basin.

Warm water (30-35 degrees) should cover the items completely, and the detergent should form high foam. Then small balls will not form on the products.

The washing liquid should soften hard water and eliminate static charge.

Soak

Prolonged soaking of wool fabrics is contraindicated. The faster the entire wash is done, the better (45 minutes per process). Synthetic fabrics that are heavily soiled can be soaked for 1-2 hours before washing.

Removing stains

Heavily contaminated areas are cleaned first. To do this, the laundry is spread on a washboard lying above the bathtub. Apply a few drops of an active, oxygen-containing stain-removing product to the stain.

The product foams and removes the stain in 30 seconds. At the same time, the color and properties of the fabric are not lost.

After 30 seconds, pour a little warm (30 degrees) water onto the dirty area and gently rub the area with a soft sponge or brush. Place the laundry in a bowl with high foam and continue general washing. You can go over the disappearing stain twice with a brush with natural bristles.

What can't you do?

Thermal underwear during washing do not do it:

• twist;
• rub with great effort;
• crush strongly;
• stretch;
• boil;
• heat water above 30 degrees;
• use chlorine bleaches;
• use caustic dry cleaning substances.

Rinsing

It is recommended to rinse parts of thermal underwear in a large amount of water, changing several times, until it becomes transparent.

Wash and rinse things in water of the same temperature. Otherwise the fabric will shrink.

When rinsing, clothes are tossed and shaken very carefully, without effortso as not to disturb the complex weaving of wool and microfiber fibers:

• without twisting;
• without stretching;
• without squeezing.

Spin

Under no circumstances should you twist thermal underwear like regular cotton sheets. Otherwise, the layer of thermal underwear that allows moisture to evaporate from the body will be damaged.

To remove water from washed items, place them evenly on a washing board.. Such a board is usually found in every home; it is installed on the edges of a bathtub or large trough.

Parts of clothing, edges and some parts (sleeves, trouser legs) are lowered down, directing the flowing water.

How often?

Items worn daily are washed when dirty. Usually two or three times a week is enough.

Athletes wash their clothes immediately after active training. Especially when thermal underwear is worn for insulation under ski suits.

Heat-protective products containing down and fine wool, which have antibacterial properties, are not recommended to be washed frequently. Once every six months is enough. Especially if it's outerwear.

Fabrics made from synthetic, woven threads are recommended to be washed before use. After wearing, if there is no smell of sweat, this does not mean that the clothes are clean. If these items are rarely washed, they stop “breathing” and the holes between the fibers become clogged.

Features for different materials

Fabrics used for sewing thermal underwear:

• natural cotton;
• elastane;
• polypropylene;
• polyester;
• fleece;
• Merino sheep wool.

Made from organic cotton

Cotton thermal underwear has a breathable structure. If you wash it rarely, the pores become clogged with sebum and sweat.The laundry stops removing moisture and ventilating. That's why they wash it often. During active use - daily.

Let's look at how to wash:

1. The water temperature should be up to 40 degrees.
2. Wash underwear with laundry soap or a special gel, without chlorine, with Chistown and Beliv powders dissolved in water.
3. Do not use chlorine-containing bleaches or chemical stain removers.
4. Hand wash carefully, without stretching, immersing in a large basin with plenty of water.
5. Rinse several times to remove any remaining detergent.
6. Do not twist with force, just squeeze lightly.
7. Program the washing machine for gentle mode.
8. Do not spin in an automatic centrifuge.
9. Water should flow freely into the pan.

Features of washing cotton products are discussed in detail in this article.

Made from polyester

T-shirts and long johns made of polyester can be washed by hand and in an automatic machine, on a delicate cycle. The temperature regulator is set to 30-35 degrees, or between warm and cold.

Automatic spin is disabled. Do not twist it with force by hand. Things are laid out on a washboard over a sewer drain so that the water drains under the influence of gravity.

The main care details for a specific product are indicated on the tags. Read more about washing polyester items. here.

Made from polypropylene

It is better to wash heat-saving clothes made of polypropylene by hand. Pre-dissolve a special detergent, taking into account the color, in warm water.Modern industry produces liquid detergents for colored synthetic fabrics and black ones.

When washing items gently, rub particularly dirty areas a little harder.. Do not twist the product, only squeeze it slightly when changing water. You should wash it two or three times in a soapy solution.

Rinse several times in clean water until completely transparent. There should be enough water for a good wash and rinse.

Throwing the wet laundry over the board over the drain into the sewer, wait until the water has completely drained.

Made from elastane

Elastane underwear should be treated with special care. These products stretch greatly and permanently lose their shape due to rough handling during the washing process.

All recommendations that apply to delicate hand washing will be appropriate: do not twist, do not stretch, do not overheat, do not bleach with chlorine.

Made from fleece

Let's look at the step-by-step instructions for washing:

1. Prepare water for washing fleece by adding special solvents to preserve the waterproofness of the fabric. At the same time, air conditioners are used to soften water and reduce static tension.
2. The water should not be hotter than 30-40 degrees.
3. Shake the product and lightly comb the lint. Turn inside out.
4. Rub heavily soiled parts with a brush with washing gel or laundry soap. Do not use chlorine-containing liquids or caustic stain removers.
5. Wash by hand delicately or at the lowest speed in the machine. The spin is turned off.
6. Without squeezing or twisting the product, the water is allowed to drain. To do this, put it on a hanger over the bathtub or lay it horizontally on a washboard.

You can read more about how to wash fleece items. Here.

Mistakes - what, consequences, how to avoid?

Errors made during the washing process violate the thermal insulation properties of multi-layered laundry. This happens due to damage to the fabric fibers. The threads stick together, the pores that remove moisture become clogged.

Errors that lead to tissue damage:

• boiling clothes, washing at temperatures above 40 degrees;
• use of dry cleaning, dyes;
• caustic stain removers;
• spinning and washing in an automatic machine at high speed;
• When washing, no protective mesh is used.

You can avoid damage to your clothes by following all the recommendations for proper washing.

How to bleach clothes?

Underwear darkened by age bleach using laundry soap or natural products that do not affect the fibers:

• baking soda,
• lemon juice,
• vinegar,
• hydrogen peroxide.

Use a weak solution of manganese or mustard powder with caution. Keep things in the solution for 15-20 minutes.

It is not recommended to bleach thermal underwear with products containing chlorine. It is better to use liquid special solutions for white thermal underwear according to the instructions.

How to dry?

Dry thermal protective clothing in a well-ventilated place on a special dryer, in a horizontal position.. Wrap wet items in a dry towel or sheet for 5 minutes. This preserves the shape and quality of the products.

If drying is carried out in the room, there is no need to place the wet product:

• above open heat sources;
• to the central heating battery;
• next to the Russian stove, potbelly stove.

It is not recommended to dry thermal underwear in severe frost. Water turns to ice at temperatures below zero. As the ice crystals expand, they will tear the microfiber threads. Having cracked, clothes will lose the necessary quality and integrity.

In addition, a few more drying rules should be taken into account:

1. Clothes are hung on hangers or laid out horizontally on drying racks in a well-ventilated place. Under a canopy, in the shade of trees, a very suitable corner.
2. Avoid exposure to bright sun rays.
3. Drying in a washing machine or dryer is prohibited.

Read about the rules for drying things after washing. this article.

Is it possible to iron?

Synthetic fibers melt under a hot iron. The complex structure is disrupted, and the beneficial properties of clothing are lost. Heat-protective underwear containing artificial threads should not be ironed.

Wool thermal underwear is ironed at the temperature indicated on the iron through a cotton pad. Combined wool and synthetic fabric should not be ironed.

It is better not to iron polyester with a hot iron. Read about how to do it correctly Here.

Fleece should not be ironed after washing.. The item loses its velvety, airiness, ability to retain heat, and water-repellent qualities.

You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products Here.

Conclusion

Careful handling of thermal underwear during the washing process, compliance with all rules for choosing a detergent, drying, spinning, ironing, machine operating mode and other nuances will increase the wear life.