# How to Wash Any Fabric: Guides by Textile | Launderwise --- # How to Wash Step-by-step guides to washing duvets, down jackets, curtains, shoes and specialty textiles Topics [All ](/blog/index.md)[How To Wash ](/blog/how-to-wash/index.md)[Laundry Tips ](/blog/laundry-tips/index.md)[Stain Removal ](/blog/stain-removal/index.md)[Fabric Care](/blog/fabric-care/index.md) Every fabric reacts differently to washing — a down duvet can't take the same treatment as blackout curtains or a wool suit. The wrong temperature, an excessive spin speed or improper drying can cause shrinking, deformation or loss of insulating properties. Our guides detail the right method for each material, with care-label temperatures (following **GINETEX / ISO 3758** standards) and the common mistakes that damage fibres. 14 articles [![How to Tumble Dry Clothes: Settings, Heat Levels and Cost](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/how-to-tumble-dry-clothes-cover.webp)](/blog/how-to-tumble-dry-clothes/index.md) [How To Wash · June 11, 2026 · 11 min](/blog/how-to-tumble-dry-clothes/index.md) ## [How to Tumble Dry Clothes: Settings, Heat Levels and Cost](/blog/how-to-tumble-dry-clothes/index.md) [Pick the right dryer heat and cycle, use the moisture sensor not a timer, cut wrinkles, and know what a load really costs — US and EU.](/blog/how-to-tumble-dry-clothes/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/how-to-tumble-dry-clothes/index.md) [![How to Wash Gym Clothes Without the Stink](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/how-to-wash-activewear-cover.webp)](/blog/how-to-wash-activewear/index.md) [How To Wash · June 9, 2026 · 9 min](/blog/how-to-wash-activewear/index.md) ## [How to Wash Gym Clothes Without the Stink](/blog/how-to-wash-activewear/index.md) [Wash activewear cool and inside out, skip the fabric softener, and air-dry it. Here's the sourced routine — and what the science says about the stink.](/blog/how-to-wash-activewear/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/how-to-wash-activewear/index.md) [![How to Iron a Shirt: The Order That Prevents Re-Wrinkling](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/how-to-iron-a-shirt-cover.webp)](/blog/how-to-iron-a-shirt/index.md) [How To Wash · June 8, 2026 · 11 min](/blog/how-to-iron-a-shirt/index.md) ## [How to Iron a Shirt: The Order That Prevents Re-Wrinkling](/blog/how-to-iron-a-shirt/index.md) [Iron a shirt in the right order — collar, cuffs, sleeves, yoke, then the panels — at the care-label heat. A standards-anchored, fabric-by-fabric method.](/blog/how-to-iron-a-shirt/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/how-to-iron-a-shirt/index.md) [![What Can (and Can't) Go in the Tumble Dryer? A Fibre Guide](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/what-fabrics-can-you-tumble-dry-cover.webp)](/blog/what-fabrics-can-you-tumble-dry/index.md) [How To Wash · June 8, 2026 · 10 min](/blog/what-fabrics-can-you-tumble-dry/index.md) ## [What Can (and Can't) Go in the Tumble Dryer? A Fibre Guide](/blog/what-fabrics-can-you-tumble-dry/index.md) [The tumble-dry symbol decides. Cotton and sturdy synthetics tumble at the heat the dots show; wool, silk, spandex and viscose belong on the airer.](/blog/what-fabrics-can-you-tumble-dry/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/what-fabrics-can-you-tumble-dry/index.md) [![Dryer Not Heating? A Symptom-by-Symptom Diagnostic Guide](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/dryer-not-heating-cover.webp)](/blog/dryer-not-heating/index.md) [How To Wash · June 7, 2026 · 12 min](/blog/dryer-not-heating/index.md) ## [Dryer Not Heating? A Symptom-by-Symptom Diagnostic Guide](/blog/dryer-not-heating/index.md) [A dryer that runs but won't heat is usually a tripped breaker leg, a blown thermal fuse, a failed element or igniter, or a blocked vent. Diagnose it safely.](/blog/dryer-not-heating/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/dryer-not-heating/index.md) [![How to Clean a Dryer Vent (and Prevent a Dryer Fire)](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/clean-dryer-vent-cover.webp)](/blog/clean-dryer-vent/index.md) [How To Wash · June 4, 2026 · 12 min](/blog/clean-dryer-vent/index.md) ## [How to Clean a Dryer Vent (and Prevent a Dryer Fire)](/blog/clean-dryer-vent/index.md) [Lint in the dryer duct is highly flammable. Clean the lint screen every load and the full vent once a year — here's the safe step-by-step, signs and tools.](/blog/clean-dryer-vent/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/clean-dryer-vent/index.md) [![Washing Machine Won't Drain or Spin? How to Fix It](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/washing-machine-wont-drain-or-spin-cover.webp)](/blog/washing-machine-wont-drain-or-spin/index.md) [How To Wash · June 4, 2026 · 12 min](/blog/washing-machine-wont-drain-or-spin/index.md) ## [Washing Machine Won't Drain or Spin? How to Fix It](/blog/washing-machine-wont-drain-or-spin/index.md) [A washer that won't spin may be stuck at the drain stage. Drain safely, clean the filter if accessible, check the latch, load, hose and suds.](/blog/washing-machine-wont-drain-or-spin/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/washing-machine-wont-drain-or-spin/index.md) [![How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine (and Stop It Returning)](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/clean-smelly-washing-machine-cover.webp)](/blog/clean-smelly-washing-machine/index.md) [How To Wash · June 3, 2026 · 12 min](/blog/clean-smelly-washing-machine/index.md) ## [How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine (and Stop It Returning)](/blog/clean-smelly-washing-machine/index.md) [Washers smell from residue and trapped moisture. Run a clean cycle, clean the seal, drawer and filter, keep the door ajar — and never mix cleaners.](/blog/clean-smelly-washing-machine/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/clean-smelly-washing-machine/index.md) [![How to Wash a Bra Without Ruining It](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/how-to-wash-a-bra-cover.webp)](/blog/how-to-wash-a-bra/index.md) [How To Wash · June 3, 2026 · 11 min](/blog/how-to-wash-a-bra/index.md) ## [How to Wash a Bra Without Ruining It](/blog/how-to-wash-a-bra/index.md) [Hand wash bras cold with a mild detergent, or machine wash on delicate in a mesh bag with hooks fastened. Avoid the dryer: heat degrades elastane.](/blog/how-to-wash-a-bra/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/how-to-wash-a-bra/index.md) [![How to Wash Bed Sheets: Temperature, Frequency & Hygiene](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/how-to-wash-bed-sheets-cover.webp)](/blog/how-to-wash-bed-sheets/index.md) [How To Wash · June 3, 2026 · 12 min](/blog/how-to-wash-bed-sheets/index.md) ## [How to Wash Bed Sheets: Temperature, Frequency & Hygiene](/blog/how-to-wash-bed-sheets/index.md) [Real wash temperatures by fabric, how often to wash, and when 60 °C matters for dust mites — the hygiene-vs-energy trade-off, named honestly.](/blog/how-to-wash-bed-sheets/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/how-to-wash-bed-sheets/index.md) [![How to Keep Towels Soft and Fluffy](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/keep-towels-soft-fluffy-cover.webp)](/blog/keep-towels-soft-fluffy/index.md) [How To Wash · June 2, 2026 · 11 min](/blog/keep-towels-soft-fluffy/index.md) ## [How to Keep Towels Soft and Fluffy](/blog/keep-towels-soft-fluffy/index.md) [Towels go rough from too much softener and limescale, not too little. Wash hot with minimal softener, rinse well, and tumble-dry to lift the loops.](/blog/keep-towels-soft-fluffy/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/keep-towels-soft-fluffy/index.md) [![How to Wash a Down Jacket Without Flattening It](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/wash-down-jacket-cover.webp)](/blog/wash-down-jacket/index.md) [How To Wash · June 2, 2026 · 11 min](/blog/wash-down-jacket/index.md) ## [How to Wash a Down Jacket Without Flattening It](/blog/wash-down-jacket/index.md) [A down jacket goes flat because the filling clumps when wet. Wash gentle and cold, dry low with dryer balls, and dry it fully — the loft comes back.](/blog/wash-down-jacket/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/wash-down-jacket/index.md) [![How to Wash a Duvet or Comforter at Home](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/wash-duvet-comforter-at-home-cover.webp)](/blog/wash-duvet-comforter-at-home/index.md) [How To Wash · June 2, 2026 · 13 min](/blog/wash-duvet-comforter-at-home/index.md) ## [How to Wash a Duvet or Comforter at Home](/blog/wash-duvet-comforter-at-home/index.md) [A duvet needs room to move, not just a big enough machine. Match the drum to the size, wash gentle, and dry it fully — damp filling is what ruins it.](/blog/wash-duvet-comforter-at-home/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/wash-duvet-comforter-at-home/index.md) [![Laundry Basics: A Simple Starter Guide](https://static.launderwise.com/images/blog/getting-started-laundry-cover.webp)](/blog/getting-started-laundry/index.md) [How To Wash · June 1, 2026 · 10 min](/blog/getting-started-laundry/index.md) ## [Laundry Basics: A Simple Starter Guide](/blog/getting-started-laundry/index.md) [Sort, pre-treat, dose, wash, dry, fold — a plain-English starter guide to doing laundry right, with real temperatures, detergent formats and care symbols.](/blog/getting-started-laundry/index.md) [Read article ](/blog/getting-started-laundry/index.md) ## FAQ Can you machine wash a king-size duvet? Yes, but you need a drum large enough for the duvet to tumble freely — roughly an 18 kg (40 lb) capacity. Standard home washers (7-9 kg) are too small for king-size duvets to clean evenly. What temperature should you use for delicate fabrics? Delicate fabrics (silk, wool, cashmere) should be washed at 30 °C (86 °F) maximum on a gentle cycle with reduced spin speed (400-600 rpm). Always check the care label first. How do you prevent clothes from shrinking in the wash? Follow the temperature on the care label, avoid tumble drying natural fibres (wool, fine cotton), and use a moderate spin speed. Shrinkage mainly occurs when heat is too high. ## Other topics [Laundry Tips ](/blog/laundry-tips/index.md)[Stain Removal ](/blog/stain-removal/index.md)[Fabric Care ](/blog/fabric-care/index.md)[All articles](/blog/index.md) ## Most read articles Selection [1](/blog/best-laundry-stain-remover/index.md) ### [Best Laundry Stain Remover: Attributed Picks by Stain and Fabric](/blog/best-laundry-stain-remover/index.md) [Stain Removal•12 min](/blog/best-laundry-stain-remover/index.md)