Why Wash Fabric?

In my last post, I mentioned that I was pre-washing my fabric before it was going to be used.

So why go to that trouble?  It looks nice and clean, right?

Well, there are a few reasons why I like to wash my fabric before it gets used…

• Lots of fabrics will shrink in the washer and dryer.  I’d much rather shrink my fabric first, than end up with a garment that shrinks itself into too small of a size afterwards.
• Fabric is generally treated with a “sizing”, a chemical bath to make it feel nice and crisp on the bolt.  Depending where the fabric is manufactured, there can be some nasty chemicals on it that you don’t want to wear.  I’m actually allergic to sizing, so pre-washing is a must.
• You don’t know how many people have handled the fabric, sneezed on it or dropped it on the floor.  Gross, right?  I like my fabric to be nice and clean, not dusty from the floor.
• Some fabric may have even been dusted with rat or mouse poison or been sprayed with an insecticide.  Again, it depends on where it was manufactured – but why take the risk?

image: Stock.xchg