Can I use the handwash setting to pre-wash cotton lycra?

[Sulla]

I have a nice GE front load High Efficiency washer dryer. I need to zig-zag sew the perimeter of 4 yards of cotton Lycra and line dry it before cutting out my patterns and sewing. It was recommended that I had wash it gently.

1. I was wondering if I could trust the hand wash setting on my machine to do the job properly?
2. Should I water down the HE detergent, or not use any at all?
3. Maybe reduce the rinse time and spin speed?

 

[CustomPropSculptorGuy]

I don't see why not. When I do stuff I just throw it in the machine on "delicates" on the shortest cycle on a full load of water. Now, I'd highly recommend a test, but with materials I know, I use either Dawn - no joke - or some kinda child-soap, literally only a couple of table spoons worth, and call it a day.

 

[MaulWalker]

I just pre-washed 8 yards of cotton lycra in my machine. I used the regular setting. Tumble dried on low.

Lynn

 

[mdb]

No need to be careful with it This stuff is used for dance wear and sports wear so is supposed to be pretty tough The only fabrics I put on a delicate wash are wools and silks. Wools because they shrink with too much agitation and shock from hot to cold and silk because well similar but not entirely the same reasons

Wash it the way you expect to wash the clothes you are making from it is my general rule.

 

[Jinyo]

with materials I know, I use either Dawn - no joke - or some kinda child-soap

Seriously, you use Dawn dishwashing detergent?
Why, pray tell?

 

[Sulla]

I washed my 4 yards of fabric last night. I sewed all the edges with a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying. I used the 'Hand Wash' cycle setting with an extra rinse and a few spoonfuls of regular detergent (no softener). Followed up with a machine dry on the 'Ultra Delicate' setting with a sensor dry stop time.

Worked wonderfully. Let it run over night and got up this morning to a clean, dry, nearly unwrinkled bolt of fabric ready to go.

Thanks all.

 

[Aquaman]

NEVER use Woolite on spandex of any kind. Not made for it. U did ok with ur method, but u should never put lycra in a dryer! Any heat at all breaks down the spandex. Most lycra materials will dry pretty quickly on a line.

 

[Sulla]

thanks, I caught that little lesson when sewing in the zig zag before washing. It looked like instead of the usual fabric edge I see on cotton/poly it looked like the lycra was cut with shears that also half melted the fibers in place - like it was ironed too hot without steaming or a damp cloth to protect the material.

I took the hint and set my HE Drier's 'Ultra Delicate' setting on the option for no heat drying. That's why the sensor dry setting was also selected, so it'd know when to stop. marvelous machine, I tell you. These expensive HE washer/drier machines are the only appliances in my house we have ever splurged on and they have been so worth it!