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Hawa asked: There’s this material called georgette. It tends to shrink after being washed. That’s why my tailor asked me to get it cleaned first, before she cuts into the material. I’m afraid to send it to the cleaners. How do I clean the material without shrinking it?
Georgette offers a flowing, full fabric choice with the look of delicate silk. However, this material is quite sturdy and strong. Washing and fading can be an issue if not cleaned properly. Here are the guidelines to follow.
You Will Need:
- Mild detergent
- Water
- Sink or tub
- Drying rack (optional)
Steps to Clean Georgette Fabrics:
- Though this material is strong, hand washing is best.
- Fill a sink or tub with cold water.
- Add a small amount of mild detergent and agitate the water to mix.
- Add the clothing and gently swish it around in the water.
- Remove from the water and squeeze to remove excess water. Avoid stretching and wringing the fabric as it will cause it to lose its shape.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Again, squeeze out excess water.
- Lay the piece on a flat surface or on a drying rack and allow it to air dry completely.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- Avoid leaving georgette fabrics in the sunlight for extended periods of time as they may fade.
- The threads in georgette fabrics are twisted really tight. This is what causes the material to crinkle as it dries.
- Check the care tags – some items require dry cleaning. Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
- Do not dry georgette fabrics in the dryer.
My georgette fabirc got shrunk after washing. What to do now….?
Hi Kritika,
Here is a trick for restoring fabric after it has shrunk in a wash:
1) Find a container that is large enough to hold the item, such as a sink or large bowl. For extremely large items like blankets, a bathtub can work.
2) Fill the container with enough warm water to cover the item. (Do not add the item to the water yet.) Only use warm water, not hot.
3) Stir in some hair conditioner. For a small container, 2-3 spoonfuls is sificient. For a bathtub, use 6-8 spoonfuls.
4) Mix the conditioner throughout the water.
5) Add the fabric to the water.
6) Allow the fabric to soak for about 45 minutes, occassionally stirring the water to move the fabric around in the water.
7) Remove the fabric from the water and squeeze it with your hands to remove the excess water. Do not wring the fabric, just squeeze it. Wringing fabric can damage it.
8) very gently stretch the fabric with your hands, pulling from both ends of a section at once. Do this for the entire garment, working in small sections. Be gentle so as not to rip the fabric.
9) Allow the item to air dry. If possible, it’s best to hang the middle of it over a line (a shower curtain pole can work) so that it will stretch even further by the weight of the water as it dries.
10) Occassionally return to the item as it dries to continue stretching it further.
Good luck!