A terry robe is comfortable, warm and very cozy. With proper care, this piece of clothing can last for years, maintaining its appearance and softness.
Periodic washing is an integral part of keeping your terry robe clean. It should be carried out according to all the rules, in compliance with technology, and taking into account the peculiarities of terry processing.
In this article we will tell you how to properly wash a terry robe in the washing machine and by hand to maintain its softness.
What is the difficulty of washing?
The difficulty of washing is associated with the following points:
- volume of the product;
- specific texture of the material.
At its core, terry fabric is formed by a large number of elongated loops. There are models with one-sided and double-sided terry. This texture of the material ensures heat retention and adds softness.
At the same time , washing, rinsing and drying such a bulky and voluminous item turns into a big problem , especially if you do all the work manually.
How to do this in a washing machine?
An automatic washing machine allows you to wash terry products very efficiently. But for this you need to follow simple rules.
In what mode, at what temperature?
Cotton terry material with a complex shape can be washed well at temperatures from +40°C to +60°C. It is recommended that you first study the label on the product, on which the manufacturer indicates its recommendations.
You should not exceed the recommended water heating temperature, so as not to spoil the item. Also, do not wash in cold water - it will be ineffective.
Detergent
Choosing the right detergent for terry clothes is very important, since the material is difficult to rinse.
It is recommended to use gel rather than powder . It dissolves better, is distributed evenly, and is well washed out of bulk terry.
What is possible and what is not?
Bulky models with a hood can themselves take up the entire drum. In this case, there is no need to move in “neighbors” with them.
If there is still free space after placing the robe in the washing machine, you can add terry towels to it, or, in extreme cases, bed linen .
If wardrobe items are also included in the load, you should make sure that there are no Velcro, hooks or other parts on them that could damage the fabric of the robe or snag and pull out loops from the terry cloth.
Do you need fabric softener?
Due to the specific nature of the fabric, the use of fabric softener will only benefit such a thing , providing the material with softness and a pleasant aroma. Its use is not mandatory, but a desirable condition for successful washing.
To soak or not?
Terry fabric usually washes very well, so there is no need to soak the item before putting it in the washing machine.
The exception is those cases when the robe is heavily soiled, for example, by morning milk porridge. In such a situation, the product must be washed and, if possible, soaked for half an hour in a washing gel solution.
If pre-soaking was carried out, the robe must be rinsed and wrung out before the main wash.
Rinsing
The elongated loops of terry cloth have the property of holding detergent. Only switching from washing powder to gel does not solve the problem - soapy water may continue to remain in the fibers.
It is possible to cope with the problem by installing an additional rinse . This will be useful for one-sided terry fabric, and simply necessary for double-sided terry fabric.
Spin
Setting high spin speeds for terry fabric is undesirable. The pile on a robe can become deformed and become unattractive and harsh. It is optimal to set the spin speed to 700 rpm.
General instructions
The procedure for washing terry products in an automatic machine:
Prepare your own robe. If it needs repairing, then it must be done in advance, before placing the item in the drum.- Place the robe in the machine.
- Pour washing gel into the special compartment.
- Pour in conditioner.
- Set the washing mode to “bulky items” or “manual”.
- Adjust heating temperature and spin intensity.
- Sets the “extra rinse” function.
- Start the wash.
After washing, the terry robe will be damp. It must be immediately removed from the drum, squeezed out by hand, and sent to dry.
The video will show you how to wash a terry robe in a washing machine:
What problems might you encounter?
If you need to wash a terry product along with other things, you should remember the rules for selecting clothes. Accessory items should not have locks, sequins, rivets or metal inserts. During the process, these elements can touch the terry fiber and lead to its damage. For machine washing, you need to choose natural, non-fading fabrics. This will help preserve the color characteristics of the robe.
It is prohibited to load woolen items into the drum with a terry robe. During the process, fragments of wool fall onto the robe, forming lumps and pellets on it. This leads to additional cleaning procedures.
Manually
You can wash a terry robe by hand, but the process will take a lot of time due to its labor intensity. A cotton terry robe is not only voluminous, it also absorbs moisture very well. This should be taken into account when processing manually.
Hand washing instructions:
It is advisable to use a bathtub as a container for washing. You will need a lot of water - ½ bath.- In order for the washing to be of better quality, the item is pre-soaked in a detergent solution.
- It is enough to keep the robe in it for up to half an hour, turning it periodically. If during this time the water becomes dirty, it is drained. In this case, it is necessary to prepare the washing solution again.
- When processing terry fabric with your hands, you should avoid intense mechanical impact, as well as the use of hard brushes. It is not advisable to rub or pull the fabric.
- It is difficult to rinse a robe well by hand. To do this, you need to change the water several times until it stops being soapy. In the last change of water, you can add conditioner or add a little salt (1 or 2 tbsp.).
After washing and rinsing, the robe is wrung out without twisting. The item is shaken and hung to dry.
What to do to make your robe soft
To ensure that the terry always remains soft, be sure to add fabric softener or specialized silicone-based conditioners to the product tray.
There are also several secrets that will give your product softness and rich color:
- Prepare a mixture that can be used as a mouthwash. To do this, add 200 ml of vinegar and 100 ml of any hair conditioner to 500 ml of water. Add this product every time you machine wash not only your terry robe, but also your towels.
- When rinsing, add a little baking soda and vinegar to the water. At first, this combination will give a reaction and the water, of course, will hiss. But as soon as the foam settles, rinse the terry robe in the solution and hang it to dry. To add aroma to the product, you can additionally add a few drops of any essential oil to your taste.
- Terry products are strictly prohibited from ironing. When exposed to high temperatures, the loops of the delicate material are smoothed and become rigid and hard.
Features for bamboo terry
Bamboo terry is not as popular an option as cotton. Things made from it have their own processing characteristics due to the delicacy of the fabric.
Features of washing bamboo terry:
Such a thing is processed in a delicate mode in a machine or manually. In the latter case, you will need a lot of water, since terry bamboo fabric is hygroscopic.- The water temperature for washing should be from +30°C to +40°C. A higher temperature is not permissible, as the robe may shrink from such exposure.
- The use of fabric conditioners and any fabric softeners is not recommended as they can damage the fiber structure.
- Twisting is prohibited. Only gentle hand push-ups are allowed.
- Drying - in a straightened state, with maximum air access to the material from all sides.
Delicate material is prone to damage as a result of careless actions during the washing process.
Can I iron?
Ironing items made from terry cloth is prohibited. High temperature and steam radiation can damage the structure of the villi and lead to their deterioration. If the product is heavily dented, you can use a steam generator. But provided that it is configured at the most minimal mode. How to complete the procedure:
- Hang the robe on a horizontal hanger.
- Connect the device to the network, set it to the most minimal mode.
- Take gauze and apply to the damaged area on the clothing.
- Walk over it with a layer of steam several times.
- Repeat the action with other crumpled fragments.
Before the process, you should pay attention to the product label. Perhaps the manufacturer prohibits any type of ironing.
How to restore and maintain the softness of fabric?
The main advantage of terry fabric is its softness. The following circumstances can lead to tissue stiffness:
- improper use of the item, stains from food and other contaminants;
- washing with powder, not gel;
- poor rinsing;
- using an iron to dry;
- twisting the robe after washing;
- worn out items, infrequent washing.
Fabric softeners will help maintain a pleasant fluffiness. It is enough to add it to a separate compartment of the washing machine to get a soft, pleasant-smelling item after washing.
If there is no air conditioner in the house, the following technique will help increase the softness of the terry: pour 1 tbsp into the air conditioner compartment on the body of the washing machine. l. regular salt.
If the product has already lost its softness, the following recommendations will help:
A useful purchase is a special ball for maintaining the softness of terry products and breaking up already stuck together fibers.- If the new robe is hard, you can soak it briefly (15-30 minutes) in salted water.
- After washing, rinse the robe in salted water (a tablespoon in the conditioner compartment).
- Soak the robe for 8-10 hours in cool water without detergent, then rinse in salted water.
Drying rules
Dense terry fabric takes a long time to dry, at least a day. The time required for complete drying depends on a number of factors:
- how wet the item is after washing;
- thick or thin terry was used to sew the item;
- air temperature at the drying site;
- ventilation.
The washed and rinsed robe is dried on a clothesline in a straightened form. As the product dries, it is recommended to turn it over so that drying occurs evenly.
The disadvantage of drying under natural conditions is the duration of the process. It is possible to speed up the process by using a drying cabinet, or by setting the “drying” function on the washing machine.
During drying, you cannot:
- If you speed up drying with an iron, the item will become hard and lose its decorative effect.
- Hang the robe directly in the open sun.
- Do not over-dry as the terry will become hard.
- Hang the robe without wringing it out. If you do this, it will stretch out and lose its shape.
Tip 5
Do not overdry the terry. Severe dryness causes it to lose its softness. It is better to remove the products a little wet and dry them indoors while lying down.
And also, do not iron the terry under any circumstances. Remember the negative effects of high temperatures on it. In addition, the steel sole of the iron additionally crushes lint.
Recommendations
Advice from experts will help you cope with washing things better, spending a minimum of effort. These recommendations include:
It is advisable to wash a new robe before first use. This is necessary to maintain the hygiene of the product and to make the material more soft.- If the robe is white, then it is better to wash it separately from other things. The maximum is to add white towels made of the same material to the drum.
- Proper use of the robe helps extend its life. You should not cook food, clean, or do other dirty housework in such a thing.
- Terry absorbs various odors very well, including food and tobacco. Washing with conditioner will help solve the problem.
- If there is not enough water during washing, the item will remain dirty, and if there is not enough water during rinsing, it will become soapy and unpleasant to the touch. Processing terry requires a lot of water; it can only be saved at the expense of the quality of the wash.
- It is recommended to hand wash the robe using rubber gloves. If this point is ignored, then it is simply necessary to remove the rings and bracelets so as not to put any snags on the fabric.
