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.

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Washing Your Cotton Textiles 🚿

First Wash 🏁

Before First Use:

• Always wash new textiles before first use

• This removes any manufacturing residue

• Wash 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 whites: 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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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Storage & Maintenance 📦

Proper Storage:

• Never store dirty textiles

• Wash and dry completely

• Prevents odors, mold, and insect attraction

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

Regular Rotation:

• Have 2–3 sets of each bedding item

• Rotate weekly

• 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 (more often for acne-prone skin)

• Towels: Wash every 3–4 uses; bath mats weekly; allow to dry between uses

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Why Your Textiles Get Better With Age ⏳

Cotton Improves With Washing:

• 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

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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

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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

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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!