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.