How much to wash your sweatshirts: what is the right temperature ?

The importance of washing temperature

Washing is a crucial step for the maintenance of clothing such as sweatshirts. The water temperature influences the lifespan, appearance and hygiene of the linen. Too high temperatures damage the fibers and degrade the colors. Conversely, a temperature that is too low does not allow effective cleaning of fabrics.

Choosing the right temperature depends on several factors:

• The nature of materials and fibers

• The degree of soiling of the laundry

• The color of the clothing

• The type of stains

• The program of the washing machine

Also read: When and how to wash your sweatshirt ?

Linen care is a subtle art that reveals the respect we have for our clothes.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

Understanding the washing symbols on labels

Clothing care labels indicate the maximum temperature supported. There is often a logo representing a saucepan with a number inside.

• The 30°C is suitable for delicate laundry

• The 40°C for cotton and synthetic fibers

• The 60°C for white and resistant colors

• The 90°C to disinfect very soiled laundry

Respect these maximum temperatures to preserve your sweatshirts.

Also read: How to shrink a sweater that is too large effectively ?

The risks of washing at the wrong temperature

A washing at too high a temperature carries risks:

• Discoloration of clothing

• Fabric shrinkage

• Laundry deformation

• Premature wear of fibers

• High energy consumption

Conversely, wash at too low temperature:

• Does not remove all dirt

• Leaves bad odors

• Does kill all bacteria

• Does not dissolve detergents

  properly

At what temperature to wash a sweatshirt depending on the material ?

Cotton

cotton withstands high temperatures well, up to 90°C. However, 40°C is enough to wash a colored cotton sweatshirt. Reserve 60-90°C for heavily soiled laundry or white clothes.

Wool

wool is a delicate natural fiber, wash at 30°C maximum. Some wool sweatshirts can be washed cold.

Polyester

synthetic fibers such as polyester are generally washed at 40°C. They resist high temperatures well but there is no need to exceed 40°C for a sweatshirt. Find out in detail here how to wash polyester ?

Viscose

viscose should be washed with care, at 30°C maximum. It cannot withstand high temperatures.

Cashmere

cashmere should be washed at 30°C with detergent for delicate woolens, and a short program.

Silk

silk is extremely fragile and requires washing at cold at 30°C with a detergent suitable for this noble textile.

Lin

Like wool, linen must be washed at 30°C with a special detergent for delicate textiles.

Give your favorite sweatshirts the luxury of a tailor-made wash.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

Also read: What material to choose for a sweatshirt ?

Washing sweatshirts made from delicate materials

To wash sweatshirts containing wool, silk, cashmere or linen, take the following precautions:

• Program short (20-30 min)

• Temperature maximum of 30°C

• Delicate cycle with reduced spin

• Use a detergent for delicate woolens

These fragile materials need gentle washing to maintain their beauty.

The right balance between softness and efficiency is the secret to successful washing of your favorite sweatshirts.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

Also read: What to do when a sweater itches ?

The role of the machine wash program

In addition to the temperature, the program of the washing machine plays an important role in washing sweatshirts:

• The quick program is suitable for refreshing a lightly worn sweatshirt

• Intensive cycles at 60-90°C remove encrusted dirt

• Delicate cycles are gentle on fragile fibers

• Cold programs clean without damaging sensitive fabrics

• The wool/silk program is suitable for noble materials

Also read: How to preserve the softness of your sweatshirt ?

Washing your hoodie: tips and advice

Washing white clothes: what temperature ?

White sweatshirts can be washed at 60-90°C to remove stains and restore their immaculate shine. This high temperature fades less bright colors.

Washing laundry at 60 degrees: when and why ?

60°C suitable for removing stains and disinfecting heavily soiled clothing, including bedding and bathroom linen. It is also ideal for eliminating stubborn odors and destroying mites.

Washing at 30 or 40 degrees: for which textiles ?

30°C is recommended for most delicate materials such as wool, silk, cashmere. 40°C is enough to wash cotton sweatshirts and synthetic fibers.

The Hoodie Blanket : a special and delicate wash

The Hoodie Blanket often mixes cotton with wool. It requires washing at 30°C maximum, preferably by hand, with a detergent suitable for delicate textiles. Dry it flat, without twisting it.

Also read: How to wash a Hoodie Blanket without damaging it ?

Advice for maintaining your laundry over the long term

Handle difficult tasks

Treat stubborn stains quickly with a suitable pre-treatment before washing. Rub gently with a little Marseille soap for oil stains.

Washing techniques for different fabrics

• Woolens: wash by hand with a delicate detergent

• Silk: short program, hypoallergenic liquid detergent

• Jeans: wash inside out at 30°C, air dry

• Baby clothes: wash at 40°C, do not use fabric softener

Tips for washing baby clothes

Baby clothes require washing at 40°C with a gentle detergent suitable for their fragile skin. Avoid chemical substances irritants. After drying, store baby linen in a cupboard away from pets.

Wash your sweatshirt without deforming it

Wash your sweatshirt inside out to avoid direct friction during machine washing. Choose a delicate program and a slow spin.Spread it on a clean towel and flatten it to air dry.

Also read: What is the best material for a sweater ?

Grandma's advice from our experts

White vinegar to revive colors

Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to your laundry to revive the colors of your sweatshirts and eliminate bad odors. Vinegar also softens the fibers.

The label to know the washing temperature

The care label indicates the maximum temperature supported by your sweatshirt. The “hand in a tub” logo means cold wash. The 30°C is suitable for delicate materials, the 40°C for cotton and synthetics.

Marseille soap for stain removal

Gently rub the Marseille soap on the stains before washing your sweatshirt. This natural soap allows you to remove stains effectively without altering the fibers and colors.

Also read: How to wash a sweatshirt by hand ?

Laying flat to maintain shape

After washing, lay your sweatshirt flat on a towel to dry. This helps maintain the shape of the garment and prevents shrinkage of the fabric.

Soda percarbonate against stains

Soda percarbonate is very effective in pretreating stains before washing laundry. Dilute it in warm water and rub onto stains for a deep clean.

Maintenance by professionals

You can entrust your sweatshirts made from delicate materials to professionals in dry cleaning. They use mild solvents to wash your clothes without altering the fragile fibers.

Well sorted laundry first

First of all, sort your laundry carefully: on one side the delicate textiles, on the other the colors resistant. Adapt the temperature and washing program to each type of fabric.

Also read: How to wash a sweatshirt in the washing machine ?

Conclusion

In conclusion, caring for sweatshirts requires a few key steps: respecting the indicated temperatures, choosing the right program, drying flat. To prolong the life of your favorite sweatshirts, wash them at the right temperature according to the material, gently, and dry them in the open air. With these tips, your sweatshirts will keep their softness and beautiful appearance for a long time.

Material	Water temperature	Washing tips	Drying
Cotton	40°C for colors, 60-90°C for white	Machine wash	Air drying
Wool	30°C maximum	Hand wash or short program	Dry flat
Polyester	40°C	Machine wash	Air dry
Viscose	30°C maximum	Delicate wash	Air dry
Cashmere	30°C	Wash with detergent for delicate woolens	Air dry
Silk	30°C maximum	Cold wash with suitable detergent	Air dry
Lin	30°C	Wash with a special detergent for delicate textiles	Air dry

FAQ

What is the ideal washing frequency ?

The washing frequency depends on perspiration and sports practice. On average, wash your sweatshirt after 2 to 3 wears to avoid odors and the transfer of dirt to other clothes.

What laundry to wash at 60 degrees ?

Heavily soiled laundry such as sheets, bath towels and underwear should be washed at 60°C to remove all impurities and bacteria. Sportswear, household laundry and dirty work clothes can also be washed at 60°C. This cycle at high temperature ensures deep cleaning.

How to machine wash a sweatshirt ?

To wash a sweatshirt in the machine without damaging it, choose a delicate program at 30°C or 40°C according to its subjects. Turn it inside out, use a hypoallergenic detergent liquid and opt for a slow spin. Immediately remove the sweatshirt from the washing machine and dry flat.

How to wash a sweatshirt without damaging it ?

Wash your sweatshirt inside out at 30°C or 40°C on a cycle delicate short. Centrifuge-slowly. Spread it immediately on a clean towel and let it dry flat in the air free air. This preserves the shape, fibers and colors of the sweatshirt.

Which program to wash a sweatshirt ?

The ideal program for washing a sweatshirt depends on its materials. For cotton, choose a cycle at 40°C. For delicate materials such as wool, opt for a short cycle cold or 30°C maximum. The special wool/silk programs are perfect for sweatshirts mixing different textiles.

What laundry to wash at 90 ?

It is recommended to wash at 90°C very dirty laundry requiring disinfection such as sheets, bath towels and underwear. Some sports clothing can also be washed at 90°C. But this maximum temperature should be avoided for sweatshirts in order to preserve their fibers.

Updated January 23 2024