How to Wash and Care for Your Co-ord Sets to Keep Them Looking New
The best way to keep a co-ord set fresh, comfortable and stylish is to provide it with the correct care. An incorrect washing technique may lead to fading, weakening of the fabric or loss of fine details. Whether you own everyday essentials or premium Pakistani co-ord sets, a few simple habits can help them look their best for much longer.
Not all co-ord sets are washed in the same manner. Care for silk, embroidered, printed and solid styles is a little different. The right water temperature, detergent, drying and ironing methods will ensure that the fabric, colour and finish are protected without additional effort.
It provides you with a guide on what you need to know for everyday washing to fabric-specific care. From a Zarlay-designed set to a colourful co-ord set to a floral print set, these are some tips on how to make your favourite looks look new, every time.
General Wash and Care Tips for Every Co-ord Set
Care begins before your co-ord set enters the washing machine! By following these steps, you can help maintain the colour, fabric quality, prints, and embroidery of your outfit, ensuring it remains vibrant and enduring. For most co-ord sets, use this basic care routine before the directions for a specific fabric.
Step 1. Read the Care Label: Check the care label before washing. It gives washing, drying and ironing guidelines from the manufacturer, depending on the fabric and design.
Step 2. Sort by Colour: Before washing separate co-ord sets of dark, bright and light colours. This will prevent the transfer of colour and help maintain the light colours' cleanliness.
Step 3. Use Cold or Lukewarm Water: Select cold or lukewarm water as opposed to hot water. Fabric shrinking, fibre weakening and quicker colour fading are all possibilities due to high temperatures.
Step 4. Choose a Mild Detergent: Ensure that you choose a gentle detergent that will not harm the fabric. Colour can become less vibrant and co-ord sets will have a shorter lifespan when washed in strong detergents and bleach.
Step 5. Turn Co-ord Set Inside Out: Always turn your co-ord set inside out before going to the washing machine. This easy trick helps to prevent the printed designs, embroidery and exterior from rubbing against each other during washing.
Step 6. Wash Gently: Hand washing is the safest for most co-ord sets. For machine wash, use the gentle cycle and put it in a mesh laundry bag for additional protection.
Step 7. Dry The Right Way: Shake out the garment after washing to remove wrinkles. Dry it on a flat surface or on a padded hanger in a well ventilated, shaded place. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can fade colours and weaken delicate fabrics.
Step 8. Iron with Care: Iron on the lowest heat that works for the fabric. To print, embroidery and delicate fibres protection, a clean cotton cloth is placed between the iron and co-ord set.
Step 9. Store It Properly: When dry, neatly fold co-ord set or hang it on a padded hanger. Keep in a cool dry wardrobe and away from dampness and sunlight to avoid creases, mildew and fading in colour.
Step 10. Remove Stains Immediately: Treat stains as soon as possible. Try to blot the stain with a clean cloth rather than rubbing it - rubbing can be more damaging to the fibres and cause the stain to penetrate the fabric further.
Wash and Care Based on Co-ord Fabric and Design
All co-ords act differently when they encounter water. Different methods are required for print, embroidery, silk and solid fabric.
Women Printed Co-ord Sets
Wash hand-wash a floral print set in cold water. The print is heated and rubbed, causing it to crack. Rinse off and squeeze the water out gently. Keep out of direct sunlight and out of humid environments, as prints will fade in direct light. Iron the non-printing side to preserve the design.
Women's Embroidered Co-ord Sets
Only hand wash embroidered items. Machine drums loosen threads. Lay the item flat, add in mild detergent, and work water gently with hands. Store flat away from the sun to prevent threads snagging, and don't fold on the embroidery, unless it is flat. Ensure that ironing is done from the back and not directly over the stitched sections.
Women's Silk Co-ord Sets
Silk requires a gentle hand wash with a special detergent for silk. Never wring it. Pat it dry in a towel and then spread it out to dry. Use the lowest setting, placing a cloth between the iron and the fabric as you iron. Keep in a breathable cotton bag for the natural shine.
Women's Solid Co-ord Sets
Solid colour sets can be washed a little more often than printed or embroidered. Wash inside out to preserve depth of colours. The dye is fixed in the cold water. Dry in shade. These are typically the simplest to take care of day to day and are normal iron.
Common Mistakes That Damage Co-ord Sets
Even the best co-ord set can lose its shape, colour and finish if it is not properly cared for. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can ensure that your clothes stay fresh and wearable for a longer period.
- Using Hot Water: Hot water can shrink fabrics, weaken fibres, and cause colours to fade much faster than cold or lukewarm water.
- When using Bleach Products: Bleaching can stain and bleach out even delicate fabrics, colours, prints and embroidery.
- Too Long in the Clothes Dryer: If your co-ord is in the dryer for too long, it will lose its softness and become shrunk and damaged.
- Poor Hanging Support: Hanging heavy co-ord sets on thin wire hangers can stretch the shoulders and distort the garment's original shape.
- Harsh Detergent Use: Powerful detergents that are used for heavy stains can remove colour, weaken fibres, and shorten the life of thin fabrics.
- Ignoring Care Labels: Failing to follow care instructions increases the risk of colour bleeding, damage to the fabric, shrinkage and washing it incorrectly.
Extra Tips to Make Your Co-ord Sets Last Longer
Small care habits can make a big difference. Taking proper care of your co-ord set between washes will help maintain its colour, shape and fabric quality, so you can wear your favourite outfits for many years. Here are some additional tips to ensure your co-ord sets last longer:
- Wash Saves Water: Do not wash after each use unless soiled. Open it up between wears to keep it fresh and to minimise unnecessary wear of the fabric.
- Change Outfits: Do not wear the same co-ord outfit again and again. Shifting styles allows each garment to have a time of rest and decreases the daily wear.
- Separate Delicate Pieces: Silk and embroidered sets should be stored separately from zipped and beaded or rough clothes that may snag or cause damage to delicate fabrics.
- Keep Away from Moisture: Keep your co-ords in a cool dry wardrobe. Over time, excess moisture can cause rotting, odours and damage to fabrics.
- Refresh Between Wears: Instead of washing after every wear, use a fabric freshener or a garment steamer to refresh the garment and remove light wrinkles and odours.
Taking a few minutes of care after every wear can make your co-ord sets look vibrant, comfortable and trendy for many years.
Find Your Next Favourite Co-ord Set at Zarlay
Beautiful style begins with great clothing and the right care will make it last even longer. Zarlay carries a well-thought-out range of Pakistanis co-ord sets, including beautiful embroidered sets, cool printed and luxurious silk co-ords.
Visit Zarlay to find the best women's co-ord sets online in Pakistan that are not only beautiful but will remain so with proper care. International delivery is also available, so shop from anywhere knowing you can. If you have any questions regarding the shipping or delivery or need any assistance please reach out to our friendly support team.
FAQs
What is the frequency for washing a co-ord set?
Wash after 2-3 uses, unless visibly dirtied. Colours are washed out, and the fabric strength is reduced with the frequency of washing. To ensure that your set stays fresh without the strain of constantly being washed, it is best to air it out between wears.
Are embroidered co-ord sets machine washable?
No, don't wash embroidered items in the washing machine. Embroidery threads tend to get pulled and loosened over time like the drum spins. Gently hand-wash with cold water and mild soap to preserve the stitching and maintain the sharp design for a much longer period of time.
What is the safest way to store silk co-ord sets?
Keep silk in the cotton bag away from direct sunlight and wet places. Do not use plastic covers as they will retain moisture and lead to mildew. Fold or hang on a padded hanger without damaging the natural lustres of the fabric.
How do I prevent printed co-ord sets from fading?
Rinse in cold water, inside out, and dry in shade not in the sun. Fading is the most common reason for the deterioration of prints. Iron the back as well, as the back colour fades with direct heat on it.