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.