How to Wash Polyester Fabric and Dry It Without Damaging Its Quality

How many clothes in your closet are made of polyester fabric? You’ll likely find jackets, shirts, sportswear and more.

Polyester fabric is the most widely used synthetic fibre in the world. It’s called synthetic because it’s made of artificial fabric that does not occur naturally.

Polyester is created from chemical compounds derived from petroleum, including ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

What makes it so useful? It’s durable, wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, colourfast and easy to care for. It also resists moths and mould. That’s why it’s used in clothing, home textiles, sports gear and automotive materials.

While polyester is low maintenance, it still needs the right washing steps to stay in good condition.

Here are simple tips on how to wash your polyester garments without damaging them.

1. Check The Care Label Instruction

Always check the label before washing. It indicates whether your garment requires a machine wash or hand wash, as well as the recommended temperature.

Clothes made from 100% polyester are usually fine for a gentle machine wash. But polyester blends with cotton or spandex may need a hand wash or lower spin speed to avoid stretching or shrinking. Follow the washing instructions to keep the fabric in shape and avoid damage.

2. Sort Garments By Colour and Fabric Type

Don't mix your clothes, sort by colour. Put dark colours together, lights together, and whites by themselves. Dark colours can bleed dye onto lighter clothes. You can separate them by using a laundry bag. 

Besides sorting by colour, sort based on fabric type. Because different fabric type needs different treatments. Polyester is a delicate fabric. Never mix it with heavy fabrics.  The heavier the fabrics, the greater the risk of causing pilling on your delicate polyester. 

Remember! Don't mix your heavy jeans with your polyester sportswear and underwear. 

3. Pretreat Garments to Remove Stains with Stain Remover

Got an oil stain on your favourite clothes? Don't panic! Don't directly load it into the machine wash. Instead, grab some stain remover and dab it on the stain spots. Let it sit for a few minutes. You can use harmless stain removers, such as white vinegar or baking powder. 

Polyester fibres are smooth and trap oil-based stains easily. Once you wash it before pretreating it,  it becomes much harder to remove. Pretreating breaks down the stain before it becomes permanently bonded to the fabric, leaving a dull impression. 

4. Button Up or Zip Up.

Close all buttons, zippers, and snaps. It helps your clothes keep their shape. When you machine wash your clothes, the clothes will rub against each other.

Open zippers can snag other clothes, scratch the washing machine drum, and, of course, damage the fabric. Unbuttoned shirts can get stretched out of shape when they twist around in the water. 

5. Turn Garments Inside Out

Flip your clothes inside out. The clothes inside are the part that comes into intense contact with your skin. By flipping it, it will be easier to clean the clothes inside.

Other than that, turning your clothes inside out can keep your colours bright and prevent them from fading. It will keep your clothes like new, although you've worn them over time.  

6. Wash with Warm Water

Use warm water or cold water, not hot! Hot water can make polyester shrink and lose its shape. Polyester is a thermoplastic fibre, which means high temperatures can permanently change its shape.

Hot water above 40°C (104°F) can cause the fibres to shrink. The best way to wash polyester is to use warm water at 30°C–40°C (86°F–104°F). It helps remove dirt while staying cool enough to protect the fabric structure.

7. Use Mild Laundry Detergent

Choose a gentle or mild detergent. Avoid harsh or strong chemical laundry detergent. Harsh detergents can break down the polymer chains in polyester over time. It makes clothes feel rough and look dull.

Mild detergents clean effectively without damaging the fibre structure. It helps your clothes maintain their original texture and appearance. 

You can use the Lucent Globe Laundry Detergent Sheet to wash your favourite polyester garment. It keeps maintaining your garment quality. 

8. Avoid Using Chlorine Bleach and Fabric Softeners

Polyester doesn’t respond well to chlorine bleach. It breaks down the fibres over time and can strip away colour unevenly. This may leave visible patches or cause yellowing, especially on light-coloured or printed items. Once the fabric is discoloured, it can't be restored.

Fabric softeners should also be avoided. They leave behind a waxy residue that coats the fibres. This buildup can block moisture-wicking, reduce breathability, and trap odours in activewear or everyday clothes. Over time, it also makes the fabric feel heavy or greasy. To keep your polyester garments fresh and comfortable, use only a gentle detergent (like ours) and skip the softeners.

9. Choose Gentle or Delicates Cycle on Your Washing Machine

Pick the gentle cycle on your washing machine. The gentle cycle uses less agitation and shorter wash times. Since polyester doesn't absorb dirt like natural fibres do, it doesn't need aggressive washing. Too much agitation can cause pilling and stretch out the fabric. 

10. Set Medium Speed 

Set the spin speed to medium level ~800-1000RPM unless otherwise stated on the care label.  If it is too fast, your clothes might get stretched out or damaged. 

High spin speeds create centrifugal force that can stretch polyester fibres, especially when they're wet and more vulnerable. Medium speed removes enough water to reduce drying time without putting excessive stress on the fabric.

11. Don't Overload the Washing Machine

Give your clothes room to breathe! If you load too many clothes in, they can't move around and get cleaned properly. 

Overloading prevents proper water circulation and detergent distribution. Clothes need space to move freely so dirt can be lifted away. Plus, overcrowded clothes rub against each other more, increasing friction and the chance of pilling or snagging.

Machine washing polyester items saves time, but overloading the washer can cost you more in the long run. It may damage the fabric and reduce how long your clothes last.

12. Air Dry the Garments or Dry Them on Low Heat in the Washing Machine

The best way to dry polyester is to hang it up and let it air dry. This helps reduce wrinkles and keeps the fabric in shape. Polyester dries quickly, so you usually don’t need to tumble dry.

However, if you plan to use a dryer, stick to the low heat or cool setting. High heat can shrink, melt, or damage the fibres. It also causes static buildup since polyester doesn’t hold moisture well.

To avoid the need to iron polyester, hang garments straight after washing. This helps them dry smooth and wrinkle-free.

13. Maintain Washing Intervals

Keep in mind to maintain washing intervals for your polyester garments. Wash it when you need to, like when it is too dirty or smelly. 

Polyester doesn't absorb odours like cotton does, so you can often wear it a few times before washing. This helps your clothes last longer!

By following these 13 steps, you're on the right way to keep your polyester clothes or garments comfortable and last long without damaging their quality.