How To Clean Polyester Windbreaker
When you find something you love and can’t get enough of, it’s hard to imagine that there might be some drawbacks. But with so many different kinds of clothing out there and the rise of more fast-fashion retailers, the risk of ending up with something that doesn’t have quite as much longevity as you might have hoped is also higher. In this case, the piece in question is a windbreaker made from a synthetic material known as polyester. Its weight and fabric are what makes it ideal for cool weather. However, cleaning this garment requires special handling. In order to keep your windbreaker looking its best for longer, read on for our expert advice on how to clean a polyester windbreaker at home.
Why Is Polyester So Durable?
Polyester is a synthetic fiber that’s often used in fabrics for clothing due to its durability and ability to repel water and stains. Depending on the blend, it can also have a soft hand and be lightweight, making it ideal for a range of garments like shirting, jackets, and other outerwear. Generally, the more you wash and dry a garment, the more worn it will become over time. That’s why high-quality fabrics like polyester are common in wear-everyday pieces like shirts and pants that are meant to last more than just one season. While these materials may be more expensive, they cost less over time thanks to less frequent washing and drying. Once something has been laundered, the fabric loses some of its strength. Over many items of washing, this loss in strength accelerates, which means your clothes will start to look worn out and less attractive.
Why Is Polyester Difficult To Clean?
When it comes to cleaning, durability is the issue with polyester. This material is extremely resistant to stretching, so it’s difficult to remove dirt or stains. And when you do get it out, the fibers may stretch out again after they dry. In fact, over time, these strong, tight fibers may actually cause the fabric to break down completely, leaving your garment in tatters—not exactly attractive. This is why you have to be careful when cleaning a polyester windbreaker. But even though it’s a challenge to remove stains and other soils, it doesn’t mean you should give up. You just have to be mindful of the cleaning process. The main issue with cleaning polyester is that it is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. This makes it difficult for detergents to break down soil and wash it away from the fabric. As a result, you may need to use more laundry detergent than you would with other fabrics to get your windbreaker clean. If you’re not careful, you could end up staining the fabric or even shrinking it. To reduce the risk of this happening, you should use cold water when you wash your garment. This will help reduce the amount of agitation occurring during the wash cycle and prevent the soil from being agitated and transferred to other areas of the garment.
How To Spot-clean A Polyester Windbreaker
In order to get rid of a basic stain, you should use a small amount of warm water and mild detergent. Be careful not to use too much product, as this can cause the stain to become more difficult to remove. You can then blot the stain with a clean cloth before you let the garment dry. If you have a small amount of mud or dirt on the garment, use a clean piece of cloth or paper towels to dab it away. When you’re done cleaning, let the garment dry. This can take a few hours, so don’t put the garment away until it’s completely dry.
How To Dry Clean A Polyester Windbreaker
If you want to get a stain out of your windbreaker that you can’t remove with a washing machine, you should take your garment to a professional cleaner. You can also take your garment to a dry cleaner if you want to remove odors like smoke or food and freshen it up. Make sure to tell your dry cleaning service that you have a polyester garment so they know how to care for it properly. Follow the directions your cleaners give you. This can vary from place to place, so make sure you ask questions if you’re unsure how to proceed. If you want to freshen up your garment but don’t want to remove odors, you can hang it in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. Or if you want to release extra odors, use a fabric freshening product and make sure you follow the directions.
Conclusion
You can keep your polyester windbreaker cleaner for longer if you are careful when you clean it. Use warm water, and mild detergent, and try not to scrub too much. You can dry clean your garment if you want a deep clean or have stained it. Make sure you follow the instructions given by your dry cleaners, though, to make sure they treat your garment with care and don’t shrink it in the process.
