Not all fabrics are created equal, and using the same wash settings for everything is a surefire way to damage your clothes. Here's a fabric-by-fabric guide to getting the best results.
Cotton
Cotton is the most common fabric and the easiest to care for. It can handle warm or hot water and regular detergent. Use Orma Detergent Powder on a normal cycle for everyday cotton items. For white cotton, you can use hot water for extra whitening power.
Tip: Cotton tends to shrink in hot water. If shrinkage is a concern, stick to warm or cold water.
Polyester & Synthetic Blends
Polyester is durable and wrinkle-resistant but tends to trap odours. Wash in warm water with regular detergent. Adding half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle helps eliminate trapped smells.
Tip: Turn synthetic garments inside out to reduce pilling.
Silk
Silk is delicate and requires gentle handling. Ideally, hand-wash in cold water with a very small amount of mild detergent. If using a machine, place silk items in a mesh laundry bag and use the delicate cycle.
Tip: Never wring silk. Roll it in a towel to absorb excess water, then lay flat to dry.
Wool
Wool fibres can shrink and felt if exposed to heat or agitation. Wash in cold water on the gentlest cycle available, or hand-wash. Use minimal detergent.
Tip: Reshape wool garments while damp and lay flat to dry. Never hang wet wool — it stretches.
Linen
Linen is strong but wrinkles easily. Machine wash in lukewarm water with regular detergent. Linen gets softer with every wash, so don't worry about being too gentle.
Tip: Remove from the machine promptly and hang or lay flat to minimize wrinkles.
Denim
Denim jeans should be washed inside out in cold water to preserve colour. Avoid washing after every wear — every 4-5 wears is usually sufficient unless visibly soiled.
Tip: To set the dye in new jeans, soak them in cold water with a cup of white vinegar for an hour before the first wash.
Quick Reference Guide
- Hot water: White cotton towels, bedsheets, heavily soiled work clothes
- Warm water: Everyday cotton, polyester blends, linen
- Cold water: Silk, wool, denim, dark colours, delicates
When in doubt, cold water and a gentle cycle is always the safest option. Orma Detergent Powder is formulated to clean effectively at all temperatures, so you won't sacrifice cleaning power by choosing a lower temperature.