Washing corduroy trousers in a washing machine

Washing corduroy trousers in a washing machine Corduroy pants are practical, warm, and comfortable to wear, but cleaning them is a real pain. Corduroy is considered a delicate material, and improper washing can damage the fabric, cause discoloration, and shrinkage. Expensive pants will lose their original appearance and properties. But it's not all bad: you can wash corduroy pants in the washing machine or by hand. Just follow a few important steps.

Prepare the trousers in advance

First of all, corduroy pants need to be prepared for the upcoming procedure - clean them of dust, threads, lint, hair and other stuck debris. First, you should shake the trousers gently, and then go over the fabric with a clothes brush or a special roller with a sticky base.If you don't have the latter, you can substitute it with a homemade alternative: wide tape. Apply the tape to the fabric one by one and then remove it along with the debris.

If there are stubborn stains on your trousers, you should pre-wash them before washing. Here's how:

select a suitable cleaner (it is better to find a stain remover for delicate fabrics, without bleaching or alkaline components, but laundry soap will also work);
according to the instructions, dose the product or dilute the warm soapy solution;
dip a soft sponge or brush in the solution with the product and treat the stain;
if necessary, leave the product to “work” for a certain amount of time;
rinse or immediately send for further washing.

Avoid rubbing corduroy vigorously, as this can damage the pile. Rub gently and move in the direction of the stripes. Wringing out wet areas is also prohibited.

Will the machine ruin my corduroy trousers?

It is recommended to hand wash corduroy only, as it is a delicate material and requires the utmost care. Machine washing is possible, but at the user's own risk. However, the risk of damage to the fabric is reduced if the washing process is carried out with the following considerations in mind:

the mode can be selected only as “Delicate” or “Manual”;
the spin cycle is switched off or set to minimum;
a water softener is added to tap water (a special product or baking soda);
We use only liquid detergents with a gentle composition, without aggressive components, bleaches and alkalis;
the water heating temperature should not exceed 30 degrees;
Automatic drying is prohibited.

It is not recommended to wash velvet in an automatic washing machine.

Another essential step when washing corduroy pants is to avoid using fabric softener. Instead, add 5-6 tablespoons of 9% vinegar to the center compartment of the detergent dispenser during the rinse cycle.

We'll wash it off in the traditional way.

Corduroy pants need to be washed carefully, so hand washing is the best option. This way, you have complete control over the process, avoiding unnecessary friction and minimizing spinning. How does hand washing work?

The basin is filled with warm water (up to 30-40 degrees).
A detergent (ideally, a gel for delicate fabrics or laundry soap) is dissolved in water.
The trousers are immersed in a soap solution.
Heavily soiled areas are rubbed with a soft sponge or brush.

You can’t rub velvet with your hands – only with a soft sponge or a clothes brush!

Items are rinsed in warm water until the detergent is removed from the fabric.

When rinsing, it's recommended to add 3-4 tablespoons of acetic acid to the water. This will gently soften the material, lift the nap, and protect the fabric's color from fading. Before rinsing, it's best to turn the pants inside out to protect the wool from abrasion. You can't wring out the velvet - you need to let the water drain and then immediately put it out to dry.

If the trousers are very dirty

If your trousers have more than one stain, but several very complex ones, spot treatment with a stain remover won't solve the problem. You'll need to soak the trousers in a soapy solution with added cleaner, leaving them for 20-30 minutes. Don't exceed the upper limit, as corduroy will deteriorate if left in water for too long.

If the stains don't disappear after 30 minutes of soaking, repeat the process. Fill a basin with warm water and add ammonia at a rate of 3-4 drops per 5 liters. Then, submerge the pants in the water and let them sit for 10-15 minutes. Then, hand or machine wash the garment.

Removing moisture from clothes

After washing, the still wet corduroy pants are sent out to dry. Trousers can be dried vertically or horizontally. The first method uses special trouser hangers or a clothesline, while the second method uses a drying rack, table, or floor. Everything should be done as naturally as possible, choosing a ventilated, shaded area outdoors. Hair dryers, fans, heaters, and hot irons are prohibited when drying corduroy.

Velvet items should be dried only naturally, without a hair dryer, fans or heaters.

To speed up the drying process, we recommend using a terry towel. First, lay it out or any thick, dry cloth, and place the wet pants on top. Next, roll the entire garment into a "roll" and press it several times. When the "roll" gets wet, replace it with a new one. This trick will help absorb moisture from the corduroy faster. Then shake out the pants and let them dry further.