Before washing neoprene items, there are some guidelines to consider. In general, neoprene clothing does not require complex specific care. It does not wrinkle, does not need to be ironed, and is quite resistant to mechanical damage and external influences. To care for it, it is enough to clean and dry it according to the instructions.
What is neoprene?
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber. This is a foam material, it has a porous structure. On the front side, neoprene items are covered with polymer; on the reverse side, to make the neoprene pleasant to wear on the body, it is covered with one of the types of fabrics (it can be cotton, viscose, polyester).
The material is used in various fields: in medicine, in sports, in industry, for the production of consumer goods. The washing process and care recommendations will depend on the area in which the neoprene item is used and what it is intended for. Thus, neoprene can be used to make both scuba diving suits and everyday dresses, skirts, and coats.
Neoprene is divided by type of density (from 0.5 to 10 mm), which also affects the washing method:
- LS – very soft, extremely elastic, stretchable in all directions;
- S – denser;
- HS – characterized by greater resistance to compression and dense structure;
- HHS – its features: low flexibility and high density;
- NF – the same density as S, but fire resistant;
- W – medical type, it is white in color and characterized by high elasticity.
What to consider when washing?
When washing neoprene items, it is necessary to take into account a number of properties of this material:
- neoprene is waterproof and moisture-resistant, so things made from it perfectly protect against moisture, however, due to this property, it will be necessary to clean the item on both sides alternately;
- it is resistant to damage and dirt, is able to repel dirt particles, so neoprene items do not require frequent washing;
- clothes made from this material do not wrinkle, which also makes it easier to care for such things;
- neoprene holds its shape well and is elastic;
- the material is resistant to temperature changes (from -50⁰С to +90⁰С), as a result of which it does not wear out for a long time;
- neoprene perfectly retains heat without letting it out, therefore things made from this material are always warm, on the other hand, it is not breathable, so it is not recommended to walk in them for a long time;
- the material is hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly;
- Bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms cannot multiply on it, therefore neoprene is considered a safe material.
As a result of these properties, neoprene clothing is worn for a long time and is characterized by a high degree of wear resistance. However, it is advisable to wash neoprene items only when there is really a need for it.
Is it machine washable?
Items made from thicker types of neoprene can only be hand washed; machine washable is not applicable to them. Moreover, if the item is large and has a specific purpose, it simply will not fit into the drum of the washing machine.
Some casual neoprene clothing is machine washable. Please read the care label before washing. When choosing a machine wash, you should follow the following recommendations:
- set only the most delicate washing mode;
- use the “cold water wash” temperature setting;
- do not use regular washing powder, you can use children’s washing gels and special detergents for this type of fabric;
- Be sure to turn off the spin function on the machine;
- you will have to wash it twice: since neoprene is waterproof, and water only removes dirt from the surface without saturating the entire thing, neoprene items are washed first on one side, then turned inside out and washed again.
How to wash by hand correctly
Hand washing is the main way to care for neoprene items. To avoid spoiling them, you need to follow the recommendations below:
- Warm water of no more than 30⁰С is drawn into the bath.
- A special detergent for washing neoprene products or a regular detergent is diluted in water, preferably liquid and in no case containing bleaches. You can also use more gentle means to wash neoprene items, for example, a simple soap solution, or baby care products.
- Things are placed in water for a quarter of an hour. Neoprene items do not shrink when washed, so you can safely soak them.
- It is best to soak and wash a neoprene item on one side first, then turn it inside out and repeat the procedure. This material is waterproof, so it is recommended to clean it on both sides.
- Then the water is drained and things are rinsed using a shower. Also on both sides.
- After thoroughly rinsing, it is recommended to leave the items in the bath for 20 minutes.
- Neoprene items do not need to be worn out or twisted so as not to damage their shape.
- They should be dried in a horizontal position, well spread out, so that when dry, the item takes on its original appearance. Heaters and direct sunlight should be avoided. When drying, it is also recommended to turn the product inside out so that both sides dry evenly.
- Neoprene products like to be ventilated; they need to be dried in a well-ventilated place.
Ordinary everyday clothes made of neoprene, if they are not heavily soiled, can simply be washed on both sides by hanging the item on hangers over the bathtub. In this case, you don’t even need to use special cleaning products if you just need to refresh the item; this will depend on the degree of soiling of the clothes.
Some recommendations for caring for neoprene items after washing
Most neoprene items have a crossed out iron on the label, which means that ironing is prohibited. Due to the properties of the material, ironing should not be required. The main thing is to dry neoprene items properly after washing and then store them in proper condition.
A number of everyday items are still allowed to be ironed, but first you need to carefully study the instructions.
If it is necessary to smooth out a wrinkle on neoprene clothing, then this should be done at medium temperature and through an additional layer of fabric.Or use a steamer, holding it as far away as possible, also without using high temperature conditions.
If a neoprene item is very wrinkled or stuck together, it is better to soak it in cool water, then straighten and smooth it well, dry it on both sides, laying it out on a horizontal surface.
As for storage, soft hangers are best suited for this so that the item is always in an upright position. In case of rare use, such things are placed in a case. After wearing, it is better to ventilate neoprene clothing before storing it in the closet.
So, following the above recommendations, caring for neoprene items will not require much effort, and clothes made from this material will last for a long time.
