Machine washable clothing for men: What is it and how does it work?

You might think that most men's clothing can be thrown straight in the washing machine on a warm setting and will come out undamaged, not shrunken, or with no discolouration in sight… But this only applies to certain fabrics.

If you need a quick guide on machine washable clothing, you're in the right place. Allow Suit Direct to give you all the tips and tricks on the basics of machine washable clothing and its benefits.

What does it mean if clothing is machine washable?

Machine washable clothing is fabrics that can be tossed into the washing machine with the rest of your laundry pile. It's often low maintenance and requires a low temperature (30 degrees) to remove stains and spillage.

There's a variety of clothing fabrics that are machine washable, including:

Cotton: Surprisingly, this is one of the easiest materials to keep clean - as long as you stick to a cool wash as cotton tends to shrink in hot temperatures, especially if it's 100% cotton. Be sure to separate your colours from your light and dark washing, too - colours can easily transfer and stain those bright pieces.

Polyester: It's recommended that polyester is washed in warm or cold temperatures. Due to its synthetic properties, polyester can melt in high temperatures or shrink. Turn your polyester clothing inside out before washing for maximum longevity.

Elastane: This man-made material is perfect for giving men's suits that much-needed touch of stretch, but how can you keep your elasticated clothing looking its best? It's best to keep temperatures cool (30 degrees), and turn your clothing inside out before washing to maintain your garment's longevity and stretch.

Which fabrics are not machine washable?

The following materials are safer being hand washed, or better yet: being taken to your local dry cleaner!

Linen: Everyone's favourite fabric for summer, linen should be hand washed with a light detergent. Hang your linen garments to dry immediately as they're prone to wrinkling.

Wool: This material can shrink easily when thrown into a washing machine, and sheds a lot, so it's best to stick to hand washing methods in warm water with a light detergent.

Why choose machine washable clothing?

Often, machine washable clothing saves us a lot of time and money in the long run. It's more effective at stain removal than traditional hand washing methods, plus washing in cold temperatures uses far less energy.

You can also wash a variety of fabrics in one load, freeing up even more time. Always read the care label on your garment for the best results and longevity, and be mindful of which fabric detergents and conditioners are being used.