Flannel fabric provides a warm, soft material that is used for a variety of items. It requires some simple cleaning steps to ensure that the fabric stays soft and touchable, the way it was intended. It seems we are seeing flannel more and more flannel garments in recent fashion trends, so today we thought we’d share some tips on washing and caring for your flannel items.

Washing Flannel

When washing use a mild detergent like Woolite, wash flannel using the gentle wash setting and wash and rinse should be the same water temperature. Fabric softener should always be added to reduce the amount of lint on the flannel. Hang to dry or machine dry on low setting and remove promptly, do not over-dry flannel or the fabric will weaken.

Flannel Care Tips

• Check the label prior to washing any flannel item. If it is made of wool flannel, it will require special cleaning, usually done by a professional cleaner like Omaha Lace Cleaners.
• Flannel fabric is known for shrinking, and in some cases, such as with bed sheets, is often made slightly larger than needed to allow for this shrinking to occur. When buying a flannel shirt, keep this in mind and consider getting the next size up.
• Flannel items have a tendency to shed and should be washed with like colors. If the shedding is a problem, try adding one half cup of vinegar to the wash cycle.
• If your flannel is losing its softness, it could be the result of softener build up. Try washing without adding fabric softener to the water and drying without a dryer sheet. Also, running an extra rinse cycle will remove any residue that can cause the fabric to feel stiff.
• While flannel is known for being soft, there are different qualities of flannel. Choose your pieces carefully as some, though still flannel, are a lower grade and do not have the same softness as a higher quality piece.
• Flannel will create lint in the dryer, be sure to empty your lint trap after each load.
• Even the best flannel will wear out overtime and become thin and lose its softness. Enjoy it and take care of it while it lasts, but be prepared to replace older pieces.

Source: How to Clean Stuff.net