Importance of Washing Upholstery Fabric Before Sewing
You should wash upholstery fabric before sewing. Washing prevents shrinkage, eliminates chemical residue, and guarantees colorfastness. Most fabrics require washing before sewing, just like garments.
Reasons for Prewashing Fabrics
Cotton, linen, denim, rayon, silk and natural fibers should always be prewashed as they may shrink. Although synthetic fabrics won’t shrink, prewashing checks for color bleeding. Cotton fabrics often shrink 5%, but 10% is not uncommon for natural fibers. If you don’t prewash, your finished item may not fit properly after washing.
Checking Colorfastness and Shrinkage
To check if upholstery is colorfast, rub it with a damp white cloth. If color comes off, professional cleaning is needed. Washing upholstery removes allergens like dirt and dust before use in sitting areas.
Fabrics that Benefit from Prewashing
What fabrics should be washed before sewing? Most fabrics require washing before sewing to prevent shrinkage, eliminate chemical residue, and guarantee colorfastness. Cotton, linen, denim, rayon, silk and natural fibers should always be prewashed as they may shrink significantly. Although synthetic fabrics won’t shrink much, prewashing checks for color bleeding and removes dirt and dust.
Understanding Pre-Shrinking
What does pre-shrinking mean? Fabrics with residual shrinkage will shrink the most the first time washed. When the residual shrinkage is removed, they become "pre-shrunk." But even pre-shrunk fabrics can still contract up to 4% when washed again.
Importance of Prewashing for Upholstery
If upholstery is not pre-shrunk before washing, it can shrink and make it impossible to get the covers back onto cushions. This renders furniture useless unless new covers are purchased.
Prewashing Recommendations
Cotton, linen, rayon, silk and other natural fibers have the most residual shrinkage. Therefore prewashing them is strongly advised. Although synthetics usually will not shrink much, prewashing still checks for color bleeding and removes dirt.