How to Wash Delicate Fabrics
A general guide to caring for delicate fabrics: lace, rayon, viscose, chiffon, and modal. Each section covers what to do, what to avoid, and the care symbols you’ll often see. These sections can later become full standalone articles.
Why delicate fabrics need special care
Delicate fabrics are easily damaged by heat, agitation, bleach, and wringing. Following the care label and using cool water, gentle cycles or hand washing, and air drying helps prevent shrinking, stretching, snagging, and colour loss. When in doubt, check the symbols on the label—they’re your best guide.
Use our Laundry Symbols Guide to decode any care label, and the Fabric Care Guide for a full overview of fabric types.
Delicate fabrics by type
Lace
Lace is fragile and can snag, stretch, or tear in a normal wash. Most lace should be hand washed or dry cleaned depending on the fibre (cotton, silk, synthetic) and construction.
Care tips
- •Hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent for delicates.
- •Support the full piece in the water—don’t let it hang or pull.
- •Never wring or twist; press water out gently between towels.
- •Lay flat to dry; avoid hanging to prevent stretching.
- •Store flat or rolled to avoid snags and creasing.
What to avoid
- ✗Machine wash (unless label says gentle/delicate and it’s a sturdy lace)
- ✗Bleach
- ✗High heat or tumble drying
- ✗Rough handling or wringing
Related symbols
Rayon
Rayon is a semi-synthetic fibre that weakens when wet and is sensitive to heat. It can shrink, bleed colour, or lose shape if washed too hot or too roughly.
Care tips
- •Check the label: many rayons are dry clean only; others allow hand or gentle machine wash.
- •Use cold or cool water (max 30°C) and a gentle cycle or hand wash.
- •Use a mild detergent; avoid bleach and fabric softener on rayon.
- •Air dry flat or hang carefully; avoid direct heat and tumble drying.
- •Iron on low heat while slightly damp if needed, with a pressing cloth.
What to avoid
- ✗Hot water and hot dryer
- ✗Bleach
- ✗Wringing
- ✗High-heat ironing
Viscose
Viscose is a type of rayon—soft and draping but prone to shrinking and losing strength when wet. Care is similar to rayon: gentle, cool, and often hand wash or dry clean.
Care tips
- •Hand wash in cool water or use a gentle machine cycle at 30°C.
- •Use a detergent for delicates; avoid bleach and strong agitation.
- •Don’t wring; roll in a towel to remove excess water.
- •Dry flat or on a padded hanger away from heat and sun.
- •Iron on low when slightly damp, with a cloth between iron and fabric.
What to avoid
- ✗Hot wash or hot dryer
- ✗Bleach
- ✗Wringing or twisting
- ✗Direct high heat
Chiffon
Chiffon is a lightweight, sheer fabric (often silk, polyester, or rayon). It snags easily and can be damaged by heat and rough handling. Care depends on the fibre content.
Care tips
- •Hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent, or follow the label (some polyester chiffon can go on gentle).
- •Support the garment in the water; avoid pulling or stretching.
- •Rinse thoroughly and press water out gently—never wring.
- •Dry flat or hang on a padded hanger away from direct heat.
- •Store carefully to avoid snags; use garment bags if needed.
What to avoid
- ✗Hot water and dryer
- ✗Bleach
- ✗Wringing
- ✗Rough surfaces and Velcro
Modal
Modal is a type of rayon made from beech wood. It’s soft and breathable but can shrink and weaken when treated with high heat or harsh chemicals.
Care tips
- •Use cool or cold water (30°C) and a gentle or delicate cycle, or hand wash.
- •Use a mild detergent; avoid bleach and fabric softener on modal.
- •Avoid wringing; squeeze gently or roll in a towel.
- •Air dry flat or hang; tumble dry only if the label allows and use low heat.
- •Iron on low if needed; modal can pill with rough handling.
What to avoid
- ✗Hot wash and hot dryer
- ✗Bleach
- ✗Heavy agitation and wringing
- ✗High-heat ironing
Decode any care label
Use our Laundry Symbols Guide and interactive decoder to understand every symbol on your garment.