How To Wash 100 Acrylic Clothing the Right Way

Acrylic fabric dances the delicate line between durability and vulnerability—it mimics wool’s cozy warmth yet demands a gentler touch than cotton.

Understanding how to properly wash 100% acrylic materials preserves their soft texture, prevents shrinking or stretching, and extends their lifespan by years.

Understanding Acrylic Fabric

Acrylic is a synthetic fiber engineered to replicate wool’s insulating properties without the high cost or maintenance challenges.

This man-made material offers vibrant color retention, lightweight comfort, and wrinkle resistance—making it a popular choice for sweaters, blankets, scarves, and activewear.

Why Acrylic Requires Special Care

Unlike resilient cotton or polyester, acrylic fibers respond dramatically to heat and mechanical stress.

Hot water acts like a sculptor’s tool on clay, reshaping the fibers and causing permanent stretching or shrinking.

The fabric’s thermoplastic nature means it remembers the shape it holds while warm—a characteristic that makes proper washing technique non-negotiable.

How to Hand Wash 100% Acrylic

Hand washing gives you maximum control over the water temperature, agitation level, and handling of your acrylic garments.

Step-by-Step Hand Washing Process

Step 1: Prepare the Washing Basin
Fill a clean sink or basin with cold water (ideally below 30°C/86°F). Add a small amount of mild detergent specifically formulated for delicate fabrics—think gentle like a whisper, not aggressive like a shout.

Step 2: Create Suds
Gently agitate the water with your hands to distribute the detergent evenly and create light suds. Avoid excessive bubbles, which indicate too much soap.

Step 3: Soak and Gently Agitate
Submerge your acrylic garment completely and let it soak for 3-5 minutes. Use soft, massaging motions to work the soapy water through the fibers, paying extra attention to collars, cuffs, and underarms where oils and dirt accumulate.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
Drain the soapy water and refill with fresh cold water. Rinse multiple times until the water runs completely clear and no detergent residue remains, leftover soap can stiffen fibers and attract dirt.

Step 5: Remove Excess Water
Never wring or twist acrylic like you’re wringing out a towel—this causes irreversible stretching. Instead, gently press the garment against the basin sides to squeeze out water, or sandwich it between two clean towels and press down firmly.

How to Machine Wash 100% Acrylic

Machine washing acrylic is perfectly safe when you follow the right protocol.

Machine Washing Best Practices

Critical Machine Washing Steps

1. Turn garments inside out before washing to minimize pilling (those annoying little fabric balls) and protect the outer surface
2. Place items in a mesh laundry bag to prevent snagging, stretching, or tangling with other clothes during the wash cycle
3. Skip fabric softener and chlorine bleach—these chemicals can break down acrylic fibers and cause discoloration
4. Pre-treat stains with a gentle stain remover before washing, letting it sit for 5-10 minutes

Drying 100% Acrylic: The Make-or-Break Moment

Drying determines whether your acrylic sweater emerges perfectly shaped or resembles a stretched-out sack.

Air Drying Method (Recommended)

Air drying flat is the gold standard for acrylic care.

• Lay the garment on a clean, dry towel on a flat surface
• Gently reshape the item to its original dimensions while still damp
• Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, which can make fibers brittle
• Never hang acrylic on a clothesline—gravity pulls wet fibers downward, creating permanent stretching
• Allow 6-12 hours for complete drying, depending on thickness

Tumble Drying (Use with Caution)

While some sources permit low-heat tumble drying, this method carries risk. If you choose this route:

• Select the lowest heat setting available
• Remove garments while slightly damp to prevent over-drying
• Never use high heat, which acts like a shrink-wrap machine on acrylic

Some crafters note that tumble drying on low heat can actually soften cheaper acrylic materials, but this varies by fabric quality.

Ironing and De-Wrinkling Acrylic

Acrylic’s wrinkle-resistant nature means you’ll rarely need an iron, but when wrinkles appear:

• Use the coolest iron setting (synthetics or low)
• Always iron inside out to protect the fabric face
• Place a pressing cloth between iron and fabric as a heat barrier
• Steam treatment works better than direct heat—use a handheld steamer or your iron’s steam function from a distance

Critical warning: Never iron or steam acrylic while it’s still warm from washing or drying—the combination of heat and tension causes dramatic, permanent stretching.

What NOT to Do When Washing Acrylic

These common mistakes transform soft, cozy acrylic into misshapen disasters:

• Hot water (above 30°C) causes fibers to lose their structural integrity
• High-speed spin cycles create excessive centrifugal force that distorts fabric
• Wringing or twisting stretches fibers beyond recovery
• Hanging to dry while wet allows gravity to elongate the garment
• Chlorine bleach weakens synthetic fibers and causes yellowing
• Handling while warm from dryer or steam—acrylic “remembers” the shape it holds during cooling

Fixing Stretched or Shrunken Acrylic

Even with careful washing, accidents happen. Here’s damage control:

For Minor Shrinkage

While acrylic shrinkage is uncommon, if it occurs, gently stretch the damp garment back to shape. Lay it flat on a towel and carefully pull it to the desired dimensions, then let it air dry in that position.

For Stretching

Steam treatment can help relax overstretched fibers. Hold a steamer 2-3 inches from the fabric and gently manipulate the material back toward its original shape. The heat temporarily softens fibers, allowing minor repositioning.

Benefits of Proper Acrylic Care

Washing acrylic correctly delivers measurable advantages:

• Extended garment lifespan—proper care can double or triple wearable years
• Maintained softness without the cardboard-stiff texture that develops from improper washing
• Color vibrancy that resists fading wash after wash
• Shape retention that keeps sweaters fitted and blankets rectangular
• Reduced pilling through inside-out washing and gentle agitation

Quick Reference: Acrylic Washing Checklist

• Check care label for specific instructions
• Turn garment inside out
• Place in mesh laundry bag (if machine washing)
• Use cold water (max 30°C)
• Select gentle/delicate cycle with low spin
• Add mild detergent (no bleach, no fabric softener)
• Gently squeeze (never wring) excess water
• Lay flat to dry away from direct heat/sunlight
• Reshape while damp
• Iron on low heat inside out only if necessary

Key Takeaways

• Cold water and gentle cycles are non-negotiable for washing 100% acrylic—heat causes irreversible stretching and shape distortion
• Lay flat to air dry instead of hanging or using high heat, as wet acrylic fibers are vulnerable to gravity and temperature
• Turn garments inside out and use mesh bags during machine washing to prevent pilling and snagging
• Never use chlorine bleach or fabric softener on acrylic, as these chemicals degrade synthetic fibers
• Handle acrylic only when completely cool after washing or steaming to prevent permanent reshaping

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you put 100% acrylic in the washing machine?
Yes, 100% acrylic can be machine washed safely using a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water (maximum 30°C). Place the garment in a mesh laundry bag, turn it inside out, and use the lowest spin setting to prevent stretching or damage to the fibers.

Does 100% acrylic shrink when washed?
Acrylic rarely shrinks because it’s a synthetic fiber, but exposure to hot water or high dryer heat can cause some shrinkage. The bigger risk with acrylic is stretching, which occurs when hot water relaxes the fibers or when wet garments are hung to dry.

What temperature should I wash acrylic fabric?
Wash acrylic in cold or cool water not exceeding 30°C (86°F). Hot water causes acrylic fibers to lose their shape, stretch permanently, and may lead to color fading or bleeding. Cold water washing also reduces energy consumption while protecting your garments.

Can I tumble dry 100% acrylic clothing?
You can tumble dry acrylic on the lowest heat setting, but air drying flat is always safer. If using a dryer, remove items while slightly damp and lay flat to finish drying. High heat can shrink, distort, or make acrylic fibers brittle.

How do you prevent acrylic from pilling?
Turn acrylic garments inside out before washing, use a gentle cycle with low agitation, and place items in a mesh laundry bag. Washing with similar fabrics (avoid rough materials like denim) and avoiding excessive friction helps minimize those annoying fabric pills that develop on the surface.

Should I use fabric softener on acrylic?
No, avoid fabric softener when washing acrylic fabrics. Fabric softeners can leave residue that builds up on synthetic fibers, reducing breathability and potentially causing discoloration. If static is a concern, some sources suggest minimal fabric softener, but it’s generally best avoided.

How long does it take for acrylic to air dry?
Acrylic typically air dries within 6-12 hours when laid flat on a towel in a well-ventilated area. Thicker items like chunky-knit sweaters or blankets may take up to 24 hours. Avoid direct sunlight or placing near heaters, as concentrated heat can damage the fibers even during air drying.