How to Wash Cotton and Spandex

Clothes manufactured from a blend of cotton and spandex provide the best of all worlds: breathable fabric, stretchy comfort and an affordable price. Used independently in clothing, cotton and spandex usually require different methods of washing and drying, sometimes even dry cleaning. Blended together, cotton and spandex make a fabric that is relatively low-maintenance, but to maintain the longevity of the fabric, certain washing and drying procedures should be followed.

Things You'll Need

• Laundry detergent

Instructions

1. Separate whites from colored clothes. Wash whites and colors separately to ensure color preservation.

2. Wash a load of either whites or colors in the washing machine on the delicate cycle using cold water. Use regular laundry detergent without bleach to wash the clothes.

3. Tumble dry the clothes on the delicate setting, unless the tags specifically direct you to line dry or lay the item flat to dry. If you are concerned about shrinkage, then tumble dry the items for a couple of minutes to get the wrinkles out, then hang them to finish drying.

Tips & Warnings

• Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before washing a garment for the first time. Cotton/spandex blend is manufactured differently and may require different methods of washing and drying to maintain the integrity of the fabric.

References

• American Apparel: Fabric Feature Chart
• Seatle PI: Getting Your Clothes to Blend Comfort, Style and Longevity