Is non-woven fabric washable?

Can non-woven fabrics be washed?

      In our daily lives, non-woven fabrics are used more and more widely, from eco-friendly bags, household items to medical supplies, etc. So, can non-woven fabrics be washed? The answer depends on the situation.
1. Materials and characteristics of non-woven fabrics
Non-woven fabrics, also known as non-woven fabrics, needle-punched cotton or needle-punched non-woven fabrics, are mainly made of polyester fibers, polyester fibers, etc. It has the advantages of moisture-proof, breathable, flexible, thin, flame-retardant, non-toxic and odorless, low price and recyclable. However, it is precisely because of its special production process and structure that it is different from ordinary fabrics in terms of cleaning.
2. Cleaning of different types of non-woven fabrics
Spunlace non-woven fabrics
Household items: If it is made of spunlace non-woven fabrics, such as sheets, towels, curtains, etc., it is usually washable. It is recommended to use mild detergents and cold water when washing, and avoid using products containing bleach or strong detergents to avoid damage to non-woven fabrics. At the same time, do not rub or twist it hard during the cleaning process to avoid damaging its fiber structure and causing deformation. After washing, spunlace non-woven household items should be dried or dried at low temperature to avoid deformation or shrinkage caused by direct sunlight or high-temperature baking.
Industrial products: Some industrial spunlace non-woven fabrics may have special requirements for cleaning according to their specific uses and processing methods. For example, when cleaning spunlace non-woven fabrics used for filtration, you need to be careful not to damage its filtration structure to avoid affecting the filtration effect.
Meltblown non-woven fabrics
Medical protective products: Meltblown non-woven fabrics such as medical masks and surgical gowns are generally not recommended for cleaning. The fibers of meltblown non-woven fabrics are very fine, and their physical structure is crucial to the filtration effect. Cleaning may damage its structure, resulting in a decrease in filtration performance and failure to play an effective protective role.
Other special uses: For some special-purpose meltblown non-woven fabrics, such as battery separators, cleaning may also affect their performance and service life, so it is necessary to decide whether they can be cleaned based on specific product requirements and instructions for use.
3. Precautions for washing non-woven fabrics
Choose the appropriate washing method: If the non-woven fabric can be washed, hand washing is the recommended method. Put the non-woven fabric in water with mild detergent, stir gently for a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with clean water. If using a washing machine, choose the gentle washing mode and put the non-woven fabric in a laundry bag to prevent damage or deformation.
Pay attention to the choice of detergent: Avoid using detergents containing bleaching ingredients or strong acid and alkali ingredients, which may fade, deteriorate or damage the fiber structure of the non-woven fabric.
Control the washing time: The soaking and washing time of non-woven fabrics should not be too long, because non-woven fabric materials are easily decomposed by water after being soaked in water for a long time.
Drying method: The washed non-woven fabric should be kept away from direct sunlight. It is best to lay it flat or hang it in a well-ventilated place to dry. High temperature exposure may cause deformation, fading or brittleness of non-woven fabrics.
Whether non-woven fabrics can be washed depends on many factors such as its material and purpose. Before washing, it is best to check the washing label or instructions of the product and wash it in the correct way to maintain the performance and service life of non-woven products.