When it comes to cleaning your laundry, everyone has different practices, tips, and tricks they use on a weekly basis.
However, how many of those tips come directly from the manufacturer? How do you know if you’re actually cleaning your wardrobe items properly? What do you do if you have a big, bad stain on your once beautiful bathrobe?
Follow these tips to ensure that you do so properly!
- Check the Manufacturer’s Label
The first thing you’ll want to do is determine what materials your bathrobe is made from. For example, while many of our bathrobes are made from 100% combed cotton terry, others are made from a blend involving polyester, modular fibers, and more. Knowing what materials you’re working with is the first and most important step in properly caring for your robe.
When you check the label, you want to see more than just the materials, though. You should read what the manufacturer has to say about washing and laundering your garment. Most manufacturers provide these directions—so you should never wash your items without first checking that information.
We would suggest following those directions to a “T” for a regular wash. However, attempting to remove a stain from a garment is a bit more of a demanding process. More goes into it—and you’ll want to be careful about what products you use on your robe.
- Gather Your Materials
Depending on the type and color of fabric, you’ll want to gather the right materials for the job.
For many materials and lighter stains, a simple laundry detergent will do the job, and do it well. Simply choose a laundry detergent that you know and trust—especially if you’ve used it before on this particular bathrobe.
For more heavily soiled items, you want to work with a cleaner that offers a bit more strength.
Another great stain remover is an oxygen-boosting detergent. This category of detergents works with your garments to incorporate oxygen into the materials, therefore loosening and lifting the stains. If you are going to use an oxygen detergent, be sure to only use similar colors in that wash, as colors are likely to bleed.
If you are working with white cotton or polyester, bleach is a great stain remover—and it’s effective in removing most of stains (even the toughest ones) from your fabric, while giving it a bright white glow. Bleach strips most color out of materials in just 1-2 washes.
We suggest, however, using only non-chlorine bleach on your bathrobe. This will prevent the fibers from growing weak with each wash and will still accomplish what you’re going for: stain removal.
If you decide to use bleach, be sure to only wash white items in that load, as it will remove the color from any clothing you put in that wash. Many people also rinse their washing machine after using bleach to ensure it’s completely removed from their machine before the next wash. It’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with such a strong, pure color-stripping cleaning material.
Keep in mind that there is also bleach that is safe for colors. Before using this on a colored bathrobe, be sure to double-check that you have the correct one. You might also want to spot-test it on your robe to ensure it doesn’t strip the color from your garment—but more on that later.
Another tried and true way to remove stains is with a specialty product, such as Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover. This is an excellent tool to remove some of the toughest stains without completely sacrificing a garment’s color—though it works best on white.
- Always Spot Test
Many manufacturers suggest that you spot test an item before throwing it in with a stain remover or detergent. The reason for this is so you can see how the materials react with one another. This can possibly save you from completely ruining a bathrobe with the wrong cleaner!
To spot test, find an inconspicuous area of the bathrobe. For example, look for an inside flap or a bottom corner. This is where you will test the stain-remover on your robe. Then, use just a dab of that detergent or product on your bathrobe. Be careful to refrain from using too much. If the product doesn’t agree with your garment, the spot test might be obvious if you use too much of it!
While these methods are typically useful, they do not guarantee that your garment will be free from stains. Some stains are going to require industrial cleaners—which still don’t always do the trick.
Need to Invest in a New One?
If these tips didn’t quite work out for you, don’t fret. Boca Terry delivers a wide collection of affordable luxury bathrobes. Check out our retail shop. If you’re interested in wholesale ordering, contact us today!