How to Wash and Care for Acrylic Clothes

1. Pretreat Stains

   Stains on acrylic fabrics should be treated as soon as possible following specific stain removal guidelines for the type of stain. Pretreat the stains at least 15 minutes before washing so the stain remover has time to break apart the stains so the wash water can carry them away.

2. Select Laundry Products and Load the Washer

   Use your favorite laundry detergent for acrylic clothes. If the garments are heavily soiled, a heavy-duty detergent like Tide or Persil will be more effective in removing soil. Acrylic fibers can build up excessive static, but a small amount of fabric softener in the final rinse will eliminate clinginess. Or you can use a dryer sheet.

3. Choose a Water Temperature and Wash Cycle

   Acrylic fibers should be washed in warm or cold water. Select the permanent press cycle to help prevent wrinkles that are difficult to remove. If your washer has a high spinning rate for the final cycle (usually a high-efficiency washer), set the spin cycle rate to low.

   Tip

   Do not overload the washer. Acrylic clothes should move freely in the washer to prevent wrinkling.

4. Check for Stains After Washing

   Take a few seconds to check acrylic clothes for any remaining stains before tossing in a dryer. Never place an acrylic garment stained with oil in a hot clothes dryer because the heat can set the oil stain permanently, making it almost impossible to remove.

5. Select a Drying Cycle

   Acrylic clothes should be tumbled dry on low temperatures. Do not use excessively high heat, which can damage fibers, causing them to shrink or stretch and set wrinkles almost permanently. It is best to remove the clothes while still slightly damp and hang to finish air-drying. 

6. Choose a Low Ironing Temperature

   If ironing is necessary, use a very low iron temperature, steam, and a pressing cloth to avoid melting the fibers. If the fabric becomes shiny or develops a hole, there is no way to reverse the damage.

Storing Acrylic Clothes

Before storing acrylic clothes, be sure that they are thoroughly washed and dried. Knitted garments should be folded and stored flat to prevent stretching.

Repairs

Ripped seams on acrylic clothes are easily repaired by hand- or machine-sewing. Repairing large holes in the surface of the fabric will be more difficult, and the repair will likely be noticeable.

What Is Acrylic Fabric?

Acrylic is a manmade fiber produced with long-chain synthetic polymers composed of at least 85 percent acrylonitrile, a petrochemical. To improve the fiber's ability to absorb dyes, the acrylonitrile is usually combined with small amounts of other chemicals. Once the fibers are dyed, the fabric is colorfast. Acrylic fibers can be dyed in vibrant colors that don't fade over time. The fabric can be dry spun or wet spun, depending on the special properties needed for particular end-use. Many performance microfiber fabrics are made of acrylic fibers.

Acrylic fibers are among the few synthetic fibers that have an uneven surface when manufacturing is complete. The fibers can be cut into short lengths and spun into threads that resemble natural fibers. They produce a fabric that drapes well and has a silky feel. Acrylic fabrics can have bulk but still be lightweight.

DuPont developed acrylic fibers in 1941 and gave them the trademarked name Orlon. By the mid-1950s, acrylic fibers and fabrics were in mass production for sweaters, gloves, and any product that needed to provide lightweight warmth.