To wash different fabrics, match the water, the cycle and the dryer heat to the fiber, and follow the care label, which must say whether to wash by hand or machine and warn against any step that would harm the garment (FTC). Cotton and polyester are the easy-care fibers; wool, silk and rayon lose strength when wet and need a gentle wash (UGA Extension).
Heat and rough handling do most of the damage: wool can shrink and felt in the wash, and polyester, nylon and spandex melt if they get too hot (UGA Extension). Leather and suede are not fabrics at all and belong with a specialist cleaner (DLI).
Key takeaways
- Read the care label first: US rules require it to say hand or machine wash and to warn against harmful steps.
- Machine wash wool only if the label allows it, on a wool cycle (usually 40°C, about 104°F), or hand wash it at about 30°C (86°F), then dry it flat.
- Keep chlorine bleach away from wool, silk and spandex; oxygen bleach is the safe choice for washable fabrics.
- Wash jeans inside out in cold water about every 10 wears and air dry them.
- Wash down jackets in a front-loader on a gentle cold cycle, then dry on low heat with 2 or 3 clean tennis balls.
How do you wash different fabrics? A quick chart
The settings below come from UGA Extension's fiber guide, Woolmark, the CCMI and the makers' own instructions for denim and down (American Cleaning Institute; Levi's; Columbia Sportswear; DLI). When the chart and the care label disagree, the label wins, because it covers the whole garment, trim and lining included (FTC).
| Fabric | Wash | Dry | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Normal cycle, sorted by color and weight | Normal dryer cycle (medium heat) | Chlorine bleach on wrinkle-resistant finishes |
| Linen | As the label says; pretreat oil stains | Normal dryer cycle; press damp | Mildew; sharp creases |
| Wool | Wool cycle (usually 40°C) or hand wash at about 30°C, neutral detergent | Flat | Felting, chlorine bleach, moths |
| Cashmere | Hand wash knits in cold water; dry-clean wovens | Flat on a dry towel | Wringing, moths |
| Silk | Dry cleaning preferred; if washable, neutral soap | Out of direct sun | Chlorine bleach, perspiration, hot iron |
| Polyester | Machine wash; whites only with whites | Permanent press cycle | Body oils and odor; melts if too hot |
| Nylon | Machine wash, away from dark or dirty loads | Low heat | Picks up dye; melts |
| Spandex | Warm, not hot; no chlorine bleach | Drip-dry, or low heat for 10 minutes | Heat, chlorine |
| Rayon (viscose) | Short, gentle cycle, or dry clean if labeled | Hang while damp | Weak when wet; shrinks or stretches |
| Acrylic | Lukewarm water | Knits drip-dry; wovens on low | Yellowing in hot water; pilling |
| Denim | Inside out, cold, gentle cycle | Air dry, inside out, in shade | Fading and shrinking in the dryer |
| Down | Front-loader, gentle, cold, mild detergent | Low heat with 2 or 3 tennis balls | Bleach, softener, agitator washers |
| Leather and suede | Specialist cleaner | Not applicable | Permanent damage from home methods |
What do the washing instructions on a care label mean?
Under the FTC's Care Labeling Rule, makers and importers must attach care instructions to clothing and have reliable evidence that following them causes no substantial harm. A washing instruction covers five things: hand or machine wash, bleach, drying, ironing and warnings (FTC).
- Short labels are permissive. "Machine wash. Tumble dry." means any water temperature, any bleach and any dryer heat are safe, and no ironing is needed (FTC).
- Bleach wording. "Only non-chlorine bleach, when needed" means regular chlorine bleach would harm the fabric (FTC).
- "Dryclean only" means the maker has evidence that washing will damage the garment, while "For best results, dryclean" means it can be washed without damage (FTC).
- The whole garment. Instructions must account for linings, trim and buttons, so follow the label on a blend rather than guessing from its main fiber (FTC).
US labels may use the ASTM care symbols in place of words (FTC). Our laundry symbols guide decodes each one.
How do you wash natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, cashmere and silk?
Cotton
Cotton is absorbent and durable, and it scorches rather than melts under a hot iron (UGA Extension). Sort it by color, weight and knit versus woven, turn it inside out, and keep the washer under 3/4 full (Cotton Incorporated). Pretreat oil and grease first, and use oxygen bleach on wrinkle-resistant cotton, because chlorine can yellow and weaken resin finishes (UGA Extension).
Airing clothes out between wears saves washes (Cotton Incorporated). For shrinkage by fiber, see does it shrink.
Linen
Linen wicks moisture best of the natural fibers and dries quickly, but it wrinkles badly and is prone to mildew (UGA Extension). For a matte finish, press it damp on the wrong side with a hot iron; creasing it in the same spot again and again weakens the fiber (UGA Extension). Full steps are in how to wash linen.
Wool
Wool can shrink and felt in the wash unless it is treated or blended for machine washing, and chlorine bleach damages it (UGA Extension). If the label allows the machine, Woolmark recommends the wool cycle (usually gentle action at 40°C, about 104°F) or a cold or delicates cycle, a neutral mild detergent, and drying flat.
By hand, turn it inside out and soak it for 10 minutes in lukewarm water of about 30°C (86°F), then rinse in lukewarm and then cold water (Woolmark). Brushing wool and resting it 24 hours between wears keeps it fresh (UGA Extension). More in how to wash wool.
Cashmere
The CCMI says to hand wash cashmere knits in cold water with a detergent made for wool and cashmere, never wring or twist them, press the water out with towels and dry them flat. Woven cashmere, such as coats, should be dry-cleaned, and knits should be stored clean and folded, since dirt attracts moths (CCMI). Step by step: how to wash cashmere.
Silk
Silk loses strength when wet and is weakened by sunlight, perspiration and chlorine bleach (UGA Extension). UGA Extension prefers dry cleaning, especially for stains; if the label allows washing, use a neutral soap and press with a press cloth. The American Cleaning Institute suggests cleaning silk after every wear because it discolors. See how to wash silk and how to wash delicates.
How do you wash synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon and spandex?
Synthetics are easy-care, with two weak spots: most melt if they get too hot, and polyester and nylon hold onto body oils and perspiration (UGA Extension).
Polyester
Polyester resists wrinkles, mildew and most chemicals, and water-based stains wash out easily (UGA Extension). Oil and grease need a pretreatment, oxygen bleach is the safe bleach, and white polyester should be washed only with whites (UGA Extension). The permanent press dryer cycle reduces wrinkles in synthetics with a cool-down at the end (American Cleaning Institute). If it needs pressing, use a low iron with steam (UGA Extension).
Nylon and spandex
Nylon picks up dye in the wash, so keep white or pastel nylon away from colored and heavily soiled loads (UGA Extension). Spandex takes warm, not hot, water and no chlorine bleach; drip-dry it or tumble it on low for 10 minutes (UGA Extension). For swimwear, see how to wash a swimsuit.
How do you care for viscose (rayon) fabric?
Viscose is the international name for the main form of rayon, and US labels may use either name (FTC). Rayon is absorbent and dyes well, but it is weaker when wet and may shrink or stretch unless treated (UGA Extension).
Machine wash it on a short cycle and handle it gently, or dry-clean it when the label says so (UGA Extension). Oxygen bleach is safe, while chlorine can yellow some resin-treated rayon; hang it to dry and press with a medium-hot iron (UGA Extension).
Acrylic and acetate
Acrylic washes easily in lukewarm water, but hot water may yellow it; drip-dry acrylic knits and tumble wovens on low (UGA Extension). Acetate does best at the dry cleaner. If you wash it, squeeze it gently in lukewarm suds without wringing, and keep nail polish remover away, because acetone destroys it (UGA Extension).
How do you clean denim, down, leather and suede?
Denim
Levi's recommends turning jeans inside out, closing the zippers and washing in cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Air dry them inside out in the shade, because machine drying can shrink and fade denim (Levi's). Wash about every 10 wears, spot clean in between, and wash new dark denim separately the first time (Levi's). Details: how to wash jeans without fading.
Down
Use a front-loading washer: Columbia Sportswear's care specialist warns that top-load agitators can catch and destroy a puffer. Wash on a gentle cold cycle with a mild detergent and no bleach or fabric softener (Columbia Sportswear).
Dry on low heat with 2 or 3 clean tennis balls, pulling clumps apart every 15 to 20 minutes until it is completely dry (Columbia Sportswear). No front-loader at home? Find a laundromat near you, then follow how to wash a down jacket.
Leather and suede
Leather and suede are hides, and the DLI warns that cleaning them at home or with the wrong method can cause permanent damage. Cleaners often send them to leather specialists, and some changes in color or texture can still show afterward (DLI). For spot care, see how to clean suede and how to clean a leather jacket.
How do you wash fabric in a washing machine?
Group clothes that need the same detergent, cycle and water temperature, then use the settings their labels call for (American Cleaning Institute).
- Sort by color. Whites alone, pastels and medium colors together, brights and darks together (American Cleaning Institute).
- Sort by fabric and soil. Delicates and loose knits go on the gentle cycle, heavily soiled items wash apart from light ones, and lint shedders like towels and flannel stay away from corduroy and permanent press (American Cleaning Institute).
- Pretreat stains after testing the remover on a seam (American Cleaning Institute).
- Turn clothes inside out and keep the drum under 3/4 full (Cotton Incorporated).
- Measure the detergent. Too much speeds up wear on clothes (Cotton Incorporated).
- Pick the cycle. Normal for cotton, towels and sheets; Delicate for silk, lingerie and activewear; Heavy Duty for jeans and bedding (American Cleaning Institute).
Mesh bags protect small and delicate items, and new dark or bright clothes should wash separately for the first few loads (American Cleaning Institute). Dishwashing liquid can hand wash delicates, but it never goes in a washing machine (American Cleaning Institute).
More detail: how to sort laundry and washer and dryer cycles explained. If you'd rather hand it off, a wash-and-fold service does the sorting and washing for you.
How do you dry different fabrics without a dryer?
Air drying is the safe default for anything that can shrink, stretch or melt: the American Cleaning Institute recommends it for delicates and shrink-prone items.
- Flat: wool and cashmere knits, on a dry towel (Woolmark; CCMI).
- Hanging, inside out, in shade: jeans (Levi's).
- Drip-dry: spandex and acrylic knits (UGA Extension).
- Hung while damp: rayon, so it doesn't mildew in the closet (UGA Extension).
- Out of direct sun: silk, which sunlight weakens (UGA Extension).
If you do use a dryer, the Delicate or Low Heat setting suits heat-sensitive fabrics and Air Fluff runs with no heat (American Cleaning Institute). To speed things up, see how to dry clothes fast.
Which fabrics should go to a dry cleaner?
Take anything labeled "Dryclean only" to a professional dry cleaner: the label means the maker has evidence that washing will harm it (FTC). These also usually belong there:
- Woven cashmere and most wool garments, such as coats and suits (CCMI; UGA Extension).
- Stained silk, because home spot removal often lifts the color (UGA Extension).
- Acetate, for which dry cleaning is preferred (UGA Extension).
- Leather and suede, which cleaners often send to specialists (DLI).
If you ask a cleaner for a method the label doesn't list, they may ask you to sign a consent form about the risk (FTC). For the gray areas, see what to dry clean.
Related guides
- Does it shrink? Polyester, cotton, linen, rayon and wool, fabric by fabric.
- How to clean suede shoes, boots and jackets: brush, erase and dab, plus when to see a pro.
- Linen care in detail: shirts, pants, sheets, stains, softening and wrinkles.
- How to get rid of clothes moths: protecting wool, silk and fur.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wash different fabrics together?
Yes, when they need the same cycle, water temperature and color group. Wash whites, pastels and medium colors, and brights and darks as separate loads, and put delicates on the gentle cycle. Keep lint shedders like towels away from corduroy and permanent press.
What are the four types of laundry?
There is no official list, but sorting by color and fabric usually gives four loads: whites, pastels and medium colors, brights and darks, and delicates on the gentle cycle. Heavily soiled items can make a separate load so their soil doesn't end up on cleaner clothes.
What are the rules for doing laundry better?
Read the care label, sort by color, fabric and soil, and pretreat stains before washing. Measure the detergent, leave room in the drum, and use the gentlest heat the fabric needs. Dry wool flat and air dry anything that can shrink.
What are some ways to clean clothes without using water?
Air clothes out between wears, brush wool, and spot clean small marks on jeans with a damp cloth and mild soap. Dry cleaning also cleans without water, using a solvent instead.
What can I wash my clothes with if I have no detergent?
For a few delicate items washed by hand, some dishwashing liquids work. Never put dish liquid in a washing machine.
How we researched this
We read the fiber care guide from the University of Georgia Extension, the FTC's guidance on care labels and fiber names, the American Cleaning Institute's laundry basics, the Woolmark, cashmere and cotton trade groups, the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute, and two makers' instructions for their own denim and down. We cited 10 sources, favoring extension, agency and trade-association pages. We did not test any method ourselves; this page reflects sources read on October 28, 2026.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission -- Clothes Captioning: Complying with the Care Labeling Rule
- University of Georgia Cooperative Extension -- Understand Your Fibers
- Drycleaning & Laundry Institute -- Leather & Suede Cleaning
- American Cleaning Institute -- Laundry Basics
- Levi Strauss & Co. -- Denim care and washing
- Columbia Sportswear -- How to Wash a Puffer Jacket
- The Woolmark Company -- How to wash wool
- Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute -- Garment Care
- Cotton Incorporated (The Fabric of Our Lives) -- How to Wash Cotton Clothes (Washing 101)
- Federal Trade Commission -- Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts