Textile Care Guide

# Complete Guide to Caring for Your Cotton Textiles

## Keep Your Bedding and Towels Looking and Feeling New

Proper care extends the life of your textiles while maintaining their softness, color, and quality. Follow these expert tips for best results.

## Washing Your Cotton Textiles

### First Wash

**Before First Use:**
- Always wash new textiles before first use
- This removes any manufacturing residue
- Washes dark colors separately to prevent color transfer
- Use cold water for dark colors, warm for light colors

### Regular Washing

**Temperature:**
- **Cotton bedding:** 40°C (104°F) maximum
- **Towels:** 60°C (140°F) for best hygiene
- **Colored items:** Cold or warm water (30-40°C)

**Detergent:**
- Use mild, liquid detergent
- Avoid bleach or harsh chemicals
- For white items: Oxygen-based bleach is safe
- Skip fabric softener for towels (reduces absorbency)

**Load Size:**
- Don't overload the machine
- Items need space to move freely
- This ensures thorough cleaning and rinsing

### Washing Different Items

**Duvet Covers:**
- Turn inside out to protect colors
- Zip or button closed
- Wash with similar colors
- Check pockets for small items

**Fitted Sheets:**
- Unfold elastic edges
- Wash with like colors
- Remove promptly after washing

**Pillow Cases:**
- Turn printed cases inside out
- Wash with bedding load
- Can be washed more frequently than other bedding

**Towels:**
- Shake out before washing
- Wash separately from clothing (lint transfer)
- Don't mix new colored towels with light colors
- Wash every 3-4 uses

## Drying Your Textiles

### Tumble Drying

**Best Practices:**
- Use low to medium heat
- Remove items while slightly damp
- Over-drying damages fibers and causes shrinkage
- Add dryer balls to reduce wrinkles and improve softness

**Towels:**
- Medium heat is fine
- Shake out before drying
- Don't over-dry (reduces softness)

**Bedding:**
- Low to medium heat
- Remove while slightly damp
- Hang or lay flat to finish drying

### Line Drying

**Benefits:**
- Most eco-friendly option
- Natural sunlight has antibacterial properties
- No risk of heat damage
- Fresh outdoor scent

**Tips:**
- Shake items well before hanging
- Hang in direct sunlight when possible
- Turn dark colors inside out to prevent fading
- Smooth out wrinkles while hanging

## Ironing

**When to Iron:**
- Generally unnecessary for jersey and flannel
- T144 cotton benefits from light ironing
- Iron while slightly damp for best results

**Settings:**
- Use medium heat (cotton setting)
- Iron inside out for printed items
- Use steam for stubborn wrinkles
- Towels rarely need ironing

## Stain Removal

### Act Quickly
The faster you treat a stain, the better your chances of removal.

### Common Stains

**Blood:**
- Rinse with cold water immediately
- Never use hot water (sets the stain)
- Soak in cold salt water
- Wash normally

**Oil/Grease:**
- Apply dish soap directly to stain
- Let sit for 10 minutes
- Wash in hottest safe water

**Wine/Juice:**
- Blot (don't rub)
- Sprinkle with salt or baking soda
- Rinse with club soda
- Wash normally

**Makeup:**
- Apply dish soap or makeup remover
- Gently rub
- Rinse and wash normally

### Stain Treatment Tips
- Always test on small, hidden area first
- Blot, don't rub (prevents spreading)
- Work from outside of stain toward center
- Never put stained items in dryer (heat sets stains)

## Storage

### Proper Storage

**Clean Before Storing:**
- Never store dirty textiles
- Wash and dry completely
- This prevents odors, mold, and insect attraction

**Storage Location:**
- Cool, dry place
- Away from direct sunlight
- Good air circulation
- Avoid plastic bags (traps moisture)

**Folding:**
- Fold neatly to minimize wrinkles
- Don't over-stack (causes permanent creases)
- Rotate usage to distribute wear

## Maintaining Quality

### Regular Rotation
- Have 2-3 sets of each bedding item
- Rotate weekly
- This extends life significantly

### Frequency Guide

**Bed Sheets:**
- Wash every 1-2 weeks
- More often in summer or if you sweat

**Duvet Covers:**
- Wash every 2-4 weeks
- More often in summer

**Pillow Cases:**
- Wash weekly (comes in contact with face)
- More often for acne-prone skin

**Towels:**
- Wash every 3-4 uses
- Bath mats weekly
- Allow to dry completely between uses

## Why Your Textiles Get Better With Age

### Cotton Improves With Washing
- Cotton fibers become softer over time
- Each wash removes sizing and chemicals
- Properly cared for cotton lasts for years
- Our OEKO-TEX® certified cotton is especially durable

## Troubleshooting

### My Towels Are Less Absorbent
**Cause:** Detergent or fabric softener buildup
**Solution:** Wash in hot water with 1 cup white vinegar (no detergent)

### My Colors Are Fading
**Cause:** Washing temperature too high or direct sunlight
**Solution:** Use cold water, turn inside out, avoid direct sun when line drying

### My Sheets Are Pilling
**Cause:** Friction, low quality, or over-drying
**Solution:** Use dryer balls, don't over-dry, buy quality textiles (like ours!)

### My Textiles Shrunk
**Cause:** Water too hot or dryer heat too high
**Solution:** Follow temperature guidelines, remove from dryer while slightly damp

## Environmental Tips

- Wash full loads to save water and energy
- Use cold water when possible
- Line dry when weather permits
- Choose eco-friendly detergents
- Our OEKO-TEX® certified textiles are better for the environment

## Questions?

Need specific care advice for your ZM Textiles products?

**Contact us:**
**Phone:** +32 488 56 42 66
**Email:** Info@zmtextiles.be

We're happy to help!