How to Wash Acrylic Fabric: A Gentle Care Guide

Acrylic fabric has earned its place in closets worldwide, mimicking wool’s warmth without the hefty price tag or itchy texture.

This synthetic wonder keeps you cozy through winter months, drapes beautifully in sweaters and blankets, and bounces back from washing like a champion. Yet many people toss their acrylic garments into the wash with reckless abandon, only to pull out pilled, stretched, or faded shadows of their former selves.

The secret to maintaining acrylic’s luxurious feel lies in understanding its unique molecular structure.

Unlike natural fibers that breathe and stretch organically, acrylic fibers are thermoplastic, meaning heat reshapes them permanently.

Treat them right, and they’ll serve you faithfully for years. Treat them carelessly, and you’ll watch them transform into unwearable disasters faster than you can say “wardrobe malfunction.”

Understanding Acrylic Fabric Before You Wash

Acrylic is a petroleum-based synthetic fiber made from acrylonitrile, a compound that’s spun into soft, wool-like strands.

Manufacturers love it because it holds dye brilliantly, resists moths and mildew, and costs a fraction of natural wool. You’ll find it in sweaters, blankets, socks, activewear, and upholstery—basically anywhere warmth meets affordability.

The fiber’s chemical structure makes it resistant to most chemicals but vulnerable to high temperatures.

Think of acrylic like a memory foam mattress: it remembers what you do to it. Stretch it while wet and hot, and it stays stretched. Expose it to excessive heat, and those fibers relax into a misshapen mess that no amount of wishful thinking will fix.

Why Acrylic Needs Special Attention

Three characteristics demand your respect when washing acrylic:

• Heat sensitivity: Temperatures above 140°F (60°C) can permanently deform fibers
• Static attraction: Synthetic fibers cling to lint, pet hair, and other fabrics like magnets
• Pilling tendency: Friction causes surface fibers to ball up into those annoying little fuzz balls

Hand Washing Acrylic: The Gentlest Approach

Hand washing remains the gold standard for preserving acrylic’s original texture and shape. This method gives you complete control over temperature, agitation, and handling—three factors that determine whether your favorite cardigan survives another season.

Step-by-Step Hand Washing Process

Fill your basin with cool to lukewarm water—never hot. The ideal temperature hovers around 80-90°F (27-32°C), roughly the temperature of a comfortable bath that’s started cooling down. Hot water acts like a sculptor’s heat gun on acrylic, permanently molding it into whatever shape it assumes during washing.

Add mild detergent sparingly. A teaspoon for a sink full of water does the job. Harsh detergents strip acrylic of its softness and can fade colors faster than summer sunlight on cheap curtains. Liquid detergents designed for delicates work best because they dissolve completely without leaving residue.

Submerge your garment and let it soak for 15-20 minutes. This passive soaking loosens dirt without the aggressive agitation that causes pilling. Gently press the fabric underwater occasionally, squeezing water through the fibers like you’re giving it a spa treatment rather than a wrestling match.

Drain the soapy water and refill with clean, cool water for rinsing. Press the garment gently to remove soap—never wring or twist. Wringing acrylic is like wringing out a wet sponge while it’s still soft: it deforms under pressure and holds that new, unflattering shape.

Repeat the rinse until water runs clear and no soap bubbles appear. Soap residue attracts dirt and makes fabric stiff, defeating the entire purpose of washing.

Removing Excess Water Without Damage

Press the garment against the basin sides to squeeze out water, then lay it flat on a clean, dry towel. Roll the towel up like a burrito with your garment inside, pressing firmly to absorb moisture. This towel-rolling technique removes 60-70% of water without stressing the fibers.

Machine Washing Acrylic: When Convenience Matters

Machine washing acrylic garments works perfectly fine when you follow specific precautions. Modern washing machines offer gentle cycles and temperature controls that make them safer than ever for synthetic fabrics.

Preparing Acrylic Items for the Machine

Turn garments inside out before loading them. This simple step protects the outer surface from friction against other clothes and the drum walls. Inside-out washing reduces pilling by up to 40% compared to right-side-out washing.

Use a mesh laundry bag for smaller items like scarves, hats, and delicate sweaters. These bags act like protective cocoons, preventing items from stretching or tangling with other clothes. They’re especially crucial for acrylic blend fabrics that contain some natural fibers.

Separate colors rigorously. Acrylic holds dye well but releases it just as readily when subjected to heat and friction. Wash darks with darks, lights with lights, and whites alone until you’re certain they won’t bleed.

Optimal Machine Settings for Acrylic

Select the delicate or gentle cycle without exception. Regular cycles agitate too aggressively, creating the friction that turns smooth acrylic into fuzzy disasters. The delicate cycle uses slower drum rotations and shorter wash times—typically 6-8 minutes compared to 15-20 minutes for regular cycles.

Use cold water exclusively for machine washing. Even “warm” settings on some machines can reach 95°F (35°C) or higher, which starts approaching acrylic’s danger zone. Cold water cleans effectively for acrylic because synthetic fibers don’t absorb oils the way natural fibers do.

Detergent Selection and Dosage

Liquid detergents work better than powder for acrylic. Powder can leave white residue in the fabric’s texture, especially in cool water where it doesn’t fully dissolve. Choose detergents labeled “for colors” or “for delicates”—these formulations contain fewer optical brighteners and harsh enzymes that can damage synthetic fibers over time.

Use half the recommended amount on the bottle. Acrylic doesn’t absorb dirt deep into its fibers the way cotton does, so less detergent achieves the same cleaning result. Excess soap creates suds that cushion clothes during the wash cycle, actually increasing friction and pilling.

Drying Acrylic: Where Most Damage Occurs

The drying phase represents the highest risk period for acrylic garments. More acrylic items meet their untimely demise in dryers than anywhere else in the laundry process. Heat and tumbling action combine to create the perfect storm for shrinkage, pilling, and permanent deformation.

Air Drying: The Safest Method

Lay garments flat on a clean, dry towel spread across a flat surface. Reshape the item to its original dimensions while still damp—remember that memory foam quality of acrylic. It will dry in whatever shape you leave it.

Avoid hanging wet acrylic on clotheslines or hangers. Water weight stretches the fibers, especially in shoulder and sleeve areas. A wet acrylic sweater hanging overnight can stretch by 2-3 inches in length, transforming a flattering fit into a saggy disappointment.

Choose a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. While acrylic resists fading better than many fabrics, prolonged UV exposure still degrades fibers and bleaches colors gradually. A spare bedroom, covered porch, or laundry room works perfectly.

Flip the garment after 4-6 hours to ensure even drying on both sides. Most acrylic items dry completely within 8-12 hours depending on humidity and air circulation.

Machine Drying: Proceed with Extreme Caution

If you absolutely must use a dryer, select the lowest heat setting available—typically labeled “air fluff” or “no heat.” Even settings marked “low heat” can reach 125-135°F (52-57°C), which approaches acrylic’s softening point.

Remove items while still slightly damp and finish drying flat. This minimizes heat exposure time and prevents over-drying, which makes acrylic brittle and prone to cracking.

Never dry acrylic with heavy items like jeans or towels. The weight and friction of heavier fabrics will pill and stretch your acrylic garments mercilessly.

Add dryer balls or clean tennis balls to improve air circulation and reduce static. These create space between items, allowing heat to distribute more evenly and reducing clumping that creates hot spots.

Stain Treatment for Acrylic Fabric

Acrylic’s synthetic nature makes it surprisingly resistant to most stains, but quick action still matters. The fiber doesn’t absorb liquids deeply, so surface stains respond well to immediate treatment.

Common Stains and Solutions

Oil-based stains (grease, butter, makeup): Apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the stain before washing. The same surfactants that cut through dinner plate grease work magic on acrylic. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then wash normally.

Protein-based stains (blood, sweat, food): Soak in cold water with enzyme detergent for 30 minutes before washing. Never use hot water on protein stains—it cooks the protein into the fabric permanently.

Dye transfer: Create a mixture of 1 tablespoon oxygen bleach to 1 gallon cool water. Soak the affected area for 1-2 hours, checking every 30 minutes. Oxygen bleach is safe for colors unlike chlorine bleach, which destroys acrylic fibers and strips color instantly.

Wine and coffee: Blot immediately with a clean cloth—never rub. Mix equal parts white vinegar and cool water, dab onto the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, then wash. The acid in vinegar breaks down tannins before they set.

What Never to Use on Acrylic

• Chlorine bleach: Yellows white acrylic and dissolves colored dyes completely
• Dry cleaning solvents: Some petroleum-based solvents dissolve acrylic fibers
• Acetone or nail polish remover: Literally melts acrylic on contact
• Hot irons: Creates permanent shine marks and can melt the fabric

Preventing Pilling and Maintaining Texture

Pilling occurs when short surface fibers break loose and tangle into tiny balls held to the fabric by longer fibers underneath. While some pilling is inevitable with acrylic, strategic care minimizes the problem dramatically.

Anti-Pilling Techniques

Wash less frequently. Every wash cycle creates friction that contributes to pilling. Acrylic doesn’t absorb body oils and odors like natural fibers, so it stays fresh longer between washes. Spot clean minor issues instead of washing the entire garment.

Use fabric softener sparingly—if at all. While it makes acrylic feel temporarily softer, fabric softener coats fibers in a waxy film that attracts lint and eventually makes pilling worse. If you must use it, dilute it to one-quarter strength.

Reduce friction during wear. Backpacks, purses, and seatbelts rubbing against acrylic sweaters cause pilling faster than washing. Consider wearing a thin undershirt or rotating which garments face friction exposure.

Remove pills properly with a fabric shaver or sweater comb—not by pulling them off with your fingers. Manual pulling creates more loose fibers that ball up into new pills. Quality fabric shavers cost $15-30 and pay for themselves within months.

Storage Tips to Maintain Shape

Fold acrylic garments rather than hanging them. Even when dry, acrylic’s tendency to stretch makes hanging problematic for long-term storage. Shoulders develop hanger bumps, and the garment gradually elongates over months.

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Heat and UV exposure continue damaging acrylic even during storage. Avoid attics, garages, and south-facing closets where temperatures fluctuate.

Use cedar blocks or lavender sachets for moth protection, though acrylic itself resists moth damage. If you store acrylic blends containing wool, moths may still target the natural fibers.

Special Considerations for Acrylic Blends

Many garments contain acrylic blended with wool, cotton, or spandex to combine the benefits of multiple fibers. These blends require care that protects the most delicate component.

Common Blend Combinations

Read care labels religiously on blend garments. Manufacturers test their specific blend ratios and provide washing instructions that balance all components. When in doubt, treat blends as if they’re made entirely of the most delicate fiber present.

Environmental Considerations

Washing acrylic releases microplastic fibers into water systems—an unavoidable consequence of cleaning synthetic fabrics. Each wash cycle can release hundreds of thousands of microfibers that pass through wastewater treatment plants and accumulate in aquatic ecosystems.

Reducing Microfiber Release

Use a microfiber-catching laundry bag specifically designed to trap synthetic particles. Products like Guppyfriend or Cora Ball capture up to 90% of released microfibers during washing, which you then dispose of in regular trash.

Wash less frequently to reduce total microfiber release over the garment’s lifetime. Spot cleaning, airing out, and strategic wearing minimize wash cycles.

Fill the machine appropriately. Both overloading and underloading increase friction that breaks fibers loose. A properly balanced load reduces microfiber shedding by approximately 35% compared to incorrect loading.

Choose front-loading machines over top-loaders when possible. Front-loaders use less water and gentler tumbling action, resulting in fewer broken fibers released per wash cycle.

Key Takeaways

• Always use cold to cool water (below 86°F/30°C) to prevent permanent deformation of acrylic fibers
• Hand washing or delicate machine cycles preserve texture and minimize pilling better than regular wash cycles
• Air drying flat eliminates the risk of shrinkage and stretching that occurs with machine drying or hanging
• Turn garments inside out and use mesh bags to reduce friction-related pilling by up to 40%
• Use minimal liquid detergent—half the recommended amount cleans effectively without leaving residue

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you put acrylic in the dryer?

You can use a dryer on acrylic fabric, but only with the air fluff or no-heat setting. Even low heat settings can cause shrinkage, pilling, and permanent deformation in acrylic fibers. Remove items while slightly damp and finish drying flat for best results. High heat will literally reshape your garment into an unwearable disaster.

What happens if you wash acrylic in hot water?

Hot water above 140°F (60°C) causes acrylic fibers to soften and lose their shape permanently. The fabric may shrink up to 10-15% in length, develop a stretched-out appearance, or become misshapen beyond repair. Colors also fade significantly faster in hot water due to increased dye molecule activity.

How do you remove pills from acrylic sweaters?

Use a fabric shaver or sweater comb designed for removing pills without damaging fibers. Lay the garment flat, pull the fabric taut, and gently glide the tool across pilled areas. Never pull pills off manually—this creates more loose fibers. Quality shavers cost $15-30 and restore acrylic garments to like-new condition in minutes.

Can acrylic fabric shrink in the wash?

Acrylic typically doesn’t shrink like natural fibers, but hot water and high heat drying can cause the fabric to contract and deform. The shrinkage isn’t traditional fiber contraction—it’s more like heat-induced reshaping that happens when thermoplastic fibers soften. Stick to cold water and air drying to maintain original dimensions.

How often should you wash acrylic clothing?

Wash acrylic garments every 3-5 wears unless visibly soiled or odorous. Acrylic resists absorbing body oils and odors better than natural fibers, so it stays fresh longer between washes. Overwashing accelerates pilling, color fading, and fiber breakdown. Spot clean minor issues and air out garments between wears.

Is acrylic better than wool for washing?

Acrylic offers several washing advantages: it resists shrinking, doesn’t felt, withstands machine washing, and dries faster than wool. However, wool naturally resists odors and regulates temperature better. For easy care and durability, acrylic wins. For performance and sustainability, wool takes the crown.

Can you iron acrylic fabric?

Never use a hot iron directly on acrylic—it will melt the fibers instantly. If you must remove wrinkles, use a steamer held 6 inches away or iron on the lowest setting through a pressing cloth. Better yet, hang the garment in a steamy bathroom for 15 minutes to let wrinkles release naturally.