Can non-woven fabric be washed?

You have a reusable bag or garment piece made from non-woven fabric and wonder if you can wash it. Tossing it in the machine could cause it to tear, shrink, or fall apart.

It depends entirely on the fabric's material and how it was made. Durable, thermally-bonded polyester non-wovens used in garment interlinings are washable. However, specialized fabrics like air filters will be ruined by washing, as it strips away their essential functions.

This is a question I discuss with my clients all the time. The answer is not a simple yes or no because "non-woven" describes a huge family of fabrics. In my factory, we produce non-wovens for many different industries, and each one has a different relationship with water. Some are designed to spend their lives in a washing machine, while others would be destroyed by a single wash. Understanding the difference comes down to the fabric's specific job.

Which non-woven fabrics are designed to be washed?

You need a material for a garment that must withstand repeated laundering. You're hesitant to use a non-woven, fearing it will degrade and lose its shape after just a few cycles.

Non-wovens made from durable fibers like polyester and manufactured using a strong bonding method like thermal bonding are often designed for washability. We make these fabrics slightly stiffer to resist pilling and ensure they survive machine washing.

A huge part of our business at Golden Lily is producing non-woven interlinings for clothing manufacturers. These clients have very strict requirements. They need an interlining that can handle home laundry. They will specify the washing temperature and even the number of machine wash cycles the fabric must endure without damage.

Engineering for Durability

To meet these demands, we use a specific recipe:

1. Strong Fibers: We start with high-quality polyester (PET) staple fibers, which are known for their strength and resilience when wet.
2. Thermal Bonding Process: We use our hot-rolling, or thermal bonding, process. This passes a web of fibers between heated rollers, melting them together at countless points. This creates a strong, stable sheet that won't easily pull apart.
3. Adjusting the Feel: To further enhance durability, we make the fabric feel a bit stiffer. This robustness helps it withstand the abrasion inside a washing machine, preventing the surface from becoming fuzzy or pilling. The result is a non-woven that provides structure to a garment and keeps that structure wash after wash. It's a perfect example of a non-woven engineered to not just survive water, but thrive in it.

Why are some non-woven fabrics not washable?

You have a product with a non-woven component, like a furnace filter, and want to clean it. You think washing it will save money, but it could actually destroy its most important features.

Many non-wovens are not washable because they have special functional treatments. Washing can strip away properties like flame retardancy or antibacterial coatings. It can also damage the delicate web structure crucial for tasks like filtration, rendering the product useless.

This is where washing a non-woven can be a critical mistake. Let's take air filtration media, another product we manufacture, as an example. The fabric might look sturdy enough to handle a wash, but its value isn't just in its physical form.

The main purpose of a filter is to trap tiny particles in a complex, three-dimensional web of fibers. Washing this material does two destructive things. First, the force of the water and soap can clog the fine pores or, worse, create large holes in the fiber web. This completely ruins its ability to filter air effectively. Second, and just as important, these filters often have special treatments applied. We can add flame-retardant, antibacterial, or anti-mildew finishes to the fabric. These are essential for safety and performance. Water and detergent act as solvents, simply washing these critical functions down the drain. The fabric might come out looking clean, but its invisible, high-tech properties will be gone forever. In this case, "washability" isn't about the fabric falling apart; it's about preserving its vital function.

Fabric Type	Intended Use	Why It's Not Washable
Air Filter Media	Trapping dust and particles	Washing ruins fiber structure and removes functional coatings.
Medical Gowns	Providing a sterile barrier	Destroys fluid-repellent finish and compromises sterility.
Disposable Wipes	single-use cleaning	Designed to break down; not built for washing and reuse.

How can you tell if a non-woven item can be washed?

You are unsure about a non-woven product, and there's no clear label. You need a simple way to decide if it's safe to wash without having to guess and risk ruining it.

Check the product's care label. If it's a component in clothing, follow the garment's instructions. For standalone items like reusable bags, check for a tag. If there's no label, consider the product's intended use: if it's designed to be durable and reusable, like a thick grocery bag, it can likely be hand-washed gently.

As a manufacturer, I can tell by the feel and look, but that's not practical for everyone. The single most reliable source of information is a care label. Reputable brands making washable products will always include one.

If you are left to guess, use this thought process:

1. Is it part of a garment? If so, the clothing's main care tag is your guide. Garment manufacturers test the entire product, including our interlinings, to create those instructions.
2. What is its purpose? Is it a durable item meant for multiple uses, like a tote bag from a quality brand? It's likely washable, at least by hand. Is it a disposable item, like a dust cloth or a protective cover for shipping? Assume it is not washable.
3. How does it feel? A stiff, smooth, and robust-feeling non-woven is more likely to be washable than one that is soft, fluffy, or has a delicate, open structure.

When in doubt, the safest method is always to hand wash gently in cold water with mild soap and let it air dry. This minimizes the risk of damage from heat and abrasion.

Conclusion

Some non-woven fabrics can be washed, especially durable ones in clothing. However, washing specialized fabrics like filters will destroy their function. Always check the care label or consider the item's purpose.