With the approach of cold weather, the need to warm up encourages people to buy thermal underwear. Not everyone knows how to wash it and look after it. And often, users get nervous before washing, for fear of spoiling a valuable and very expensive thing. And this is a very likely outcome of illiterate actions. Violation of the operating rules leads to deformation of the insulating clothing and to a significant decrease in thermal insulation qualities.
"Manual mode"
The “basin” method is especially recommended by manufacturers, since washing the thermal underwear by hand means taking care of it as gently as possible. Moreover, the water is heated to the temperature of the human body - and this is the maximum. As a means, it is advised to use soap, it is better than ordinary, cosmetic, but it is possible to do laundry, without excessive strength. The introduction of certain additives is also allowed, such as rinses, conditioners or antistatic agents. At the end of the wash, the thermal underwear is rinsed thoroughly and wrung out without twisting. Water that cannot be squeezed out must drain naturally.
And, of course, do not try to boil thermal underwear. How to wash it with heavy soiling is a separate issue. You can use soft stain removers, but in no case do not expose to extreme effects.
Machine wash
For a long time there was an opinion that the “laundry” should be conducted exclusively in the old manner. However, this is a myth, since it is still possible to wash thermal underwear in the washing machine. But - subject to certain conditions.
Firstly, the gentle mode is set, that is, the drum speed is reduced to washing delicate fabrics. Secondly, the maximum temperature threshold is 30 Celsius, not higher. Some housewives believe that 60 degrees are acceptable, but the vast majority of thermal suits quickly lose their properties in such conditions. Thirdly, it is necessary to turn off the spin, even at low speeds - it will stretch, deform and become normal, without the prefix “thermo”. Fourthly, it is better to use liquid detergents: they gently affect fabrics.
What to wash
Having figured out how to wash thermal underwear in a washing machine or manually, we will pay a little attention to means that can improve the quality of washing, but not damage the products themselves. It is understood that aggressive powders, especially those containing an alkaline component, cannot be used. However, we note that even “affectionate” high-quality conventional products leave behind a certain feeling of stickiness of clothing. The ideal solution would be to purchase special powders designed for thermal underwear. They cost more than usual, but significantly extend the service life of clothes. They do not spoil the fabric, help to eliminate an unpleasant odor, accelerate drying, while strengthening the fabric and preserving its properties. The consumption of a special powder will not be so great as to significantly affect the budget, so you can spend a little.
Harmless drying
It’s not enough to know how to properly wash thermal underwear, you also need to properly dry it. Prohibited:
- Drying in the "washer", if it has such a function.
- Placement of thermal underwear on heating radiators.
- Hanging products near heat sources.
An ideal option - hanging thermal underwear in the fresh air, and where direct sunlight does not fall. However, this is not always realistic, so you can place it on ordinary dryers, only away from batteries and in a ventilated room.
Thermal underwear: how to wash, depending on the variety
The material from which you make your favorite things can be different. And approaches to washing should take it into account. There may be options.
- Fleece thermal underwear is the most undemanding. It can be pressed in a typewriter at low speeds. Ironing is not prohibited, however, the temperature should be gentle. Moreover, fleece does not lose its properties with delicate dry cleaning.
- There are completely different rules on how to wash thermal underwear made of polyester. It can’t be categorically dried “artificially” and subjected to loads in the drum when it is twisted. In general, when studying the rules of washing, it is better to adhere to the recommendations for polyester products: an additional guarantee that you will not harm your purchase.
- Another nuance is fleece, which often has thermal underwear. How to wash such a variety? Like any other, only turning the “suit” inside out.
There is, although rarely, thermal underwear made from natural fabrics - wool or cotton. It can even be dried on a battery (although we would not risk it) and ironed at 110 degrees - but only through a moistened cloth.
Washing frequency
When a person buys thermal underwear, how to wash often is not the main issue. No less urgent is the determination of the available frequency of washing. Afraid of harming the structure of the product, people try to resort to cleaning it as little as possible. And they make a mistake. With rare washes, pores get clogged in linen (similar to how they become clogged with a rarely washed person). And all the basic functions of thermal underwear are carried out precisely due to them. With serious impurities, he loses the ability to remove moisture, retaining heat, so that linen does not begin to make life easier, but to make it difficult. Quality products, subject to the rules for caring for them, do not lose any properties and qualities during washing. On the contrary, they only maintain the functionality of the laundry at the right level.