Washing & Shrinkage Information by Fabric
Almost all of our fabrics can be washed with the considerations below. Some of them change appearance when washed. We describe the changes below. We like the changes. You may not. Wash a sample and see. Or ask us to send you a large washed, returnable, sample. All the fabrics are solvent (dry) cleanable EXCEPT with the chemical, tetrachlorethylene (avoid that). Always wash separately.
Please note that we do not warrant fabric shrinkage or performance when washed because equipment, processes, etc., vary dramatically – especially water mineral content. What we mean by this is, wash at your own risk. We have done many wash tests and these are the true results we have had. But your experience may not be good. Please do a wash test of a small cutting of the fabric first. Never use bleach, even oxygen-based bleaches. If you do get a spot, please follow our spot cleaning suggestions. (They are on the website or ask us for them).
We always suggest using cool temperatures to prolong the life of your fabric, the vibrancy of colors, and to save energy. We also strongly recommend removing the fabrics from the drier promptly and ironing while still damp, especially for heavier weight fabrics; and especially for any fabric containing linen, hemp, or ramie. If you use a spot cleaner – or really any cleaning product - on any part of the fabric, test the product on a piece of the fabric hidden from view first.
Please note, if you are considering washing at home: About 5 yards of the heavier upholstery fabrics is the maximum you may want to put into home washers. “Heavier” means over 12 oz/yd2. Weights are on the price list and website. Take larger amounts to a commercial washer so as not to harm your home machines. PLEASE serge all raw edges before washing or drying if you do anything more than soaking or line drying.
Some comments and complaints we have received: The heavier fabrics take a LONG time to dry. Once, a decade ago, a client washed Sequoia in color Metal, and got color barring. We have tried and tried to recreate the problem, but could not.
There is no reason to wash any of the fabrics except to remove residual shrinkage before fabrication. There is absolutely nothing to wash out in the fabrics. To remove residual shrinkage, you only need to wash ONCE. And really all you need to do is to soak the fabric in hot water for 15 minutes. You do not need to agitate unless you want to soften the fabric. That can also be done by tumbling with in a dryer - with heat or no heat. If ironing or steaming, you can use your hottest settings with all of the fabrics except our blackout liner. The fabrics with residual shrinkage will shrink the 5%, 8%, etc., only the first time exposed to the cool or hot temperatures. When you remove the residual shrinkage, they, too, become “pre-shrunk.” But what does “pre-shrunk” mean? It means that the fabric can contract up to 4% when washed. This is the amount that you can stretch the fabric back. Think of putting on your newly washed jeans. They are hard to get on, but stretch and become more comfortable. Your cushion covers or slipcover may be tight after washing. They will stretch to fit; but replacing cushion covers is not as easy as pulling on newly washed jeans.
| Fabric Name | Appearance change if washed? See column far right. | Shrinkage in COOL water and line or air or cool dry? | Shrinkage in HOT water and high dryer heat? | Description of appearance change and/or miscellaneous recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asotin | No | Pre-Shrunk: Less than 2% Width and Length | Washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 2%). | Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Aspen | No | Pre-Shrunk: Less than 2% Width and Length | Washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 2%). | Does not require ironing if you do not over dry and if you remove from the dry and hang before wrinkles can set in. |
| Astoria & Astoria Wide Width | No | YES: shrinkage 5% in both width and length | YES: shrinkage 10% in both width and length | Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Bainbridge | YES - if washed in hot temp; NO if cool | Slight – shrinkage 4% in width only | YES: shrinkage 12% in length and 6% in width. | In hot the weave tightens and becomes less open. Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Basket | No | No shrinkage | No shrinkage | Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Bingen, wool | YES – probably best to professionally green clean this one | Yes - 10% | Yes – 18% ! | Shrinks a lot and the shrinkage changes the appearance materially; that is, A LOT |
| Buffalo Check | No | 3% Technically pre-shrunk | 4% Technically pre-shrunk | No change |
| Cascade | No, but some local water’s mineral content can strip Cascade of its softness, so please test with your water first. | No shrinkage | No shrinkage | Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Cedar | No | Slight; washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 4%). | Washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 4%). | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Chelan | No | Slight; washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 2%). | Slight; washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 2%). | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Columbia | YES | YES: shrinkage 8% length only | YES: shrinkage 10% in width and 12% in length | This fabric tightens up slightly when washed, softens, and loses a bit of luster and becomes more matte. The appearance is only slightly altered. Do not over dry; iron while still damp |
| Dungeness | No | YES: shrinkage 2% width and 13% length. | YES: shrinkage 4% length and 13% length. | If you do iron, iron on hottest setting |
| Duwamish, wool | Yes, but very slight | Slight: shrinkage 2% in length only | Slight: shrinkage 0% width and 5% length | Slight nap raised: minimized if hand washed or washed on gentle cycle |
| Elliot Bay | No | 3% Technically pre-shrunk | 4% Technically pre-shrunk | None; serge unfinished pieces before washing the first time |
| Entiat | No, but some local water’s mineral content can strip Entiat of its softness, so please test with your water first | No shrinkage | Slight: shrinkage 2% in length only | Should not need ironing. |
| Eugene | testing | Slight-almost pre-shrunk: shrinkage 2% in length and 5% in width | Slight-almost pre-shrunk: shrinkage 5% in length and 5% in width | Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Hood Canal | No | YES: shrinkage 6% width and 3% length | YES: shrinkage 8% width and 6% length. | Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Illahe | No | Slight: shrinkage less than 2% length and width | Slight: shrinkage less than 2% length and width | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Kalama | No | No shrinkage | No shrinkage | Retains its structure, but softens with each washing, so its drapability will change with lots of washing – only an issue if used in extremely wide windows most likely. Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Kapowsin | No | YES: shrinkage 10% width and 10% length | YES: shrinkage 12% width and 12% length | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Klamath | No | Pre-shrunk; 2% cool temps | Slight: shrinkage 5% length and width | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Klickitat | No | Pre-shrunk; does not shrink in cool temps | Pre-Shrunk: Less than 2% Width and Length | No change; Should not need ironing |
| Methow | Yes, but not after you iron it on the obverse – Or you can steam it | Slight: shrinkage less than 2% length and width | Slight: shrinkage less than 5% length and width | Methow takes extra work because it is a natural fiber velvet with no toxic anti-crease finish on it. It will be crushed and creased in shipping. It is not delicate, however, and with ironing on the obverse, or STEAMING either side it recovers completely. Use the Hottest settings of steam or iron. |
| Methow 2 | No | Pre-Shrunk: Less than 2% Width and Length | Washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 2%). | Should not need ironing; but, if it does, use highest steam. Be sure to read our paper on working with our velvets |
| Methow 3 | No | Pre-Shrunk: Less than 2% Width and Length | Washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 2%). | Should not need ironing; but, if it does, use highest steam. Be sure to read our paper on working with our velvets |
| Monroe | No | Pre-Shrunk: Less than 2% Width and Length | Washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 2%). | No change / serging recommended before first wash |
| Mottled Linen | Not washable | Not washable | Not washable | Solvent clean only but not with tetrachlorehelyne |
| Mount Baker, wool | No | Pre-Shrunk: Less than 2% Width and Length | Washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 2%). | Mt Baker washes beautifully. No ironing necessary |
| Mount Hood, wool | No | Pre-Shrunk: Less than 2% Width and Length | Washable in any temperature; no shrinkage (i.e., less than 2%). | Mt Hood looks light but it is super strong; Washes beautifully. No ironing necessary. |
| Mukilteo | No | YES: shrinkage 4% width and less than 2% length | YES: shrinkage 13% width and 7% length. | Always use gentle cycles. Do not over dry; if you iron, iron while still damp. |
| Orcas | YES | YES: shrinkage 3% in both length and width | YES: shrinkage about 5% width and 10% length | Washing removes a bit of the fabric’s luster. When Orcas first comes out of the water, it looks like a wet dog; but do not panic. You might need to iron and / or brush the nap lightly with a light brush. |
| Palouse, wool | YES | YES: shrinkage 3% width and 7% length | YES: shrinkage 5% width and 10% length. | Washing eliminates the hard sateen finish and creates a raised nap. Best to green clean professionally. |
| Puget | No | Slight: shrinkage less than 2% length and width | YES: shrinkage 8% width and 10% length | If you iron, Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Puget 2 | No | YES: shrinkage 6% width only | YES: shrinkage 12% both width and length | If you iron, Do not over dry; iron while still damp. Best to green clean professionally. |
| Ross Lake | YES | YES: shrinkage 12% length and width. | YES: shrinkage 15% length and width | Ross Lake contracts considerably when washed - it loses its geometric quality but becomes much softer |
| Salem | No | YES: shrinkage 11% in length only | YES: shrinkage 12.5% in length only | If you iron, Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Salish | No | YES: shrinkage 6% width only | YES: shrinkage 12% both width and length. | Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Sawtooth Stripe | No | 3% Technically pre-shrunk | 4% Technically pre-shrunk | If you iron, you can iron on hottest settings and use distilled water spray |
| Sequoia | YES, slight | Slight: shrinkage less than 2% length and width | YES: shrinkage 8% length and 4% width | Becomes a bit softer and more matte (loses a bit of luster). One client had streaking with color Metal so we say don’t wash the darker colors. But we have never been able to replicate the problem. |
| Skookum | No | Pre-shrunk; does not shrink in cool temps | Slight: shrinkage 5% length and width | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Solar Grid | YES | YES: shrinkage 12% length and width. | YES: shrinkage 15% length and width. | Solar Grid contracts considerably when washed - it loses its geometric quality and openness, and it gains a soft hand. Perfect for blankets! |
| Tatoosh | No | Slight: shrinkage less than 2% length and width | YES: shrinkage 8% width and 10% length | Iron on the non-pile side ! |
| Vancouver, wool | YES | YES: shrinkage 4% width and 6% length | YES: shrinkage 8% width and 10% length | Washing removes the smooth, sateen finish - and a nap is raised. Iron while still damp. Best to green clean professionally. |
| Victoria | No | YES: shrinkage 4% length and width. | YES: shrinkage 8% length and width. | Washing makes this fabric fluffier and it becomes more matte (not as shiny). |
| Wapato | No | Slight: shrinkage 3% in width only | YES: shrinkage 7% in width and 10% in length. | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Washougal | No | Slight: shrinkage 2% in length only | Slight: shrinkage 5% in length only | Do not over dry; iron while still damp. Washougal is REALLY heavy. Do not try to wash more than 2, maybe 3 yards in your home machines. Take to a commercial laundromat. |
| Wenatchee | No for colors natural & cloaed cream. Other colors are not washable – green solvent clean those | YES: shrinkage 3% in width only | YES: shrinkage 7% in width and 10% in length. | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. DO NOT wash colors. Only colors natural and clotted cream are washable |
| Willapa Bay | No | 3% Technically pre-shrunk | 4% Technically pre-shrunk | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Winthrop | No | Slight: shrinkage 2% in length only | Pre-shrunk: shrinkage 4% in length only | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Winthrop Too | No | Slight: shrinkage 0% width and 5% length | YES: shrinkage 4% width and 12.5 % length | If you iron, do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
Commodity Fabrics
All GOTS certified, except Blackout Liner, which is GRS certified.
| Fabric Name | Appearance change if washed? See column far right. | Shrinkage in COOL water and line or air or cool dry? | Shrinkage in HOT water and high dryer heat? | Description of appearance change and/or miscellaneous recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackout Liner | No | No shrinkage | No shrinkage | No change |
| Diamonds | No | Pre-Shrunk | Pre-Shrunk | No change |
| Flannel | No | 0%W / 8% L | 0%W / 11% L | No change |
| Gauze | No | 8% W + L | 13% W + L | No change |
| Muslin | No | 8% W + L | 9% W + L | No change |
| Sateen | No | 5% shrinkage | 10% shrinkage | If you iron, you can use the hottest setting. |
Limited Stock Fabrics
These qualities are not running items, but stock is available. All first quality unless otherwise noted). These are either items we are no longer able to produce (run outs), or items we are considering as running items.
| Fabric Name | Appearance change if washed? See column far right. | Shrinkage in COOL water and line or air or cool dry? | Shrinkage in HOT water and high dryer heat? | Description of appearance change and/or miscellaneous recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breezy | No | 3% Technically pre-shrunk | 4% Technically pre-shrunk | None – becomes softer |
| Cloud | No | 3% Technically pre-shrunk | 4% Technically pre-shrunk | Becomes less stiff |
| Copper Creek | No | YES: shrinkage 4% in width and 8% in length | YES: shrinkage 12% in both width and length. | Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Linen Stripe 1 | No | Pre-shrunk; No shrinkage in cool | Pre-shrunk - 2% shrinkage in width & zero in length | No change – minimal ironing or none required |
| Oyster | No | Pre-Shrunk | Pre-Shrunk | No change – minimal ironing or none required |
| Ozette | Do not wash – Solvent cleaning only | |||
| Quilcene | No | YES: shrinkage 5% in width and 6% in length | YES: shrinkage 10% in both width and length. | No change |
| Rainier | Yes, a slight nap raised – solvent clean only | YES: shrinkage 4% width and 6% length | YES: shrinkage 8% width and 10% length | Although it can be washed (cool water, line or air dry), doing so changes the appearance and removes the smooth surface, giving it a napped appearance. |
| Rogue River | No | YES: shrinkage 4% in width and 8% in length | YES: shrinkage 12% in both width and length | Do not over dry; iron while still damp. |
| Shoto | Shoto improves with washing, becoming softer and more lustrous - no change to appearance. | Shrinkage is approximately 3% in width and 4% in length. | Shrinkage in width is 5% and length is 12% | Do not overdry; iron while still damp. |
| Tacoma | Another hemp fabric that improves with washing; no change to appearance. | Shrinkage is 2-3% in width and approximately 3% in length | Shrinkage in width is 5% and length is 12% | Do not overdry; iron while still damp. |
| Tonasket | No | Shrinkage is 2-3% in width and approximately 3% in length | Shrinkage in width is 5% and length is 10% | Do not overdry; iron while still damp. |
| Tyee | Do not wash – Solvent cleaning only | |||
| Wahkeetna | No | YES: shrinkage 5% in both width and length | YES: shrinkage 12% in both width and length | No change |
| Willapa | No | 4% in length and width | 9% in both length and width | Take out of the dryer immediately and it should not need ironing |
| Winthrop - Thunderstorm Striped | No | YES: shrinkage 5% in both width and length | YES: shrinkage 10% in both width and length | Do not overdry; iron while still damp. |
