In terms of comfort and reliability, few loungewear staples can beat 100% cotton sweatpants. They go with practically everything, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. It’s versatile, too–cotton can be a great thermal insulator when it’s cold, but it’s also a supremely breathable fabric that allows air to pass through on warm days.
Like all items made out of natural fibers, 100% cotton sweatpants require special care and maintenance to keep them looking their best. Taking proper care of them also ensures that they’ll last for years to come. Here’s a quick and easy guide on how you can do so:
Washing
The best way to wash any article of clothing that’s made out of 100% cotton is to use warm water that should not exceed 105°F. It’s also best to only run them through the gentle cycle.
If you’re not sure, though, you can always refer to the care instructions on the tags. Any pair of 100% cotton sweatpants purchased from Just Sweatshirts is machine washable, and can be safely put into your washing machine with the rest of your laundry.
Whether you choose to wash your sweatpants in the machine or hand wash them, though, it’s important to remove any items that may be left inside the pockets. Additionally, you’ll want to wash any light-colored sweatpants separately from dark-colored pieces of clothing to prevent dye bleeding.
If you work out in your sweatpants, you’ll also want to turn the garment inside out before laundering it. In addition to preventing color fading, doing so will help eliminate odors and clean the sweatpants more thoroughly.
100% cotton should also never be bleached. Natural fibers usually aren’t structurally strong enough to withstand harsh chemicals, and you may damage your sweatpants should you do so. Use detergent sparingly, and don’t use fabric softener if you can help it. Again, natural fibers are sensitive to chemicals; using fabric softener also coats your clothes with a thin and waxy layer that makes them resistant to absorbing water and detergent. Furthermore, fabric softener often creates damaging buildup inside your washing machine that may cause it to stop functioning properly.
Drying & Ironing
Just Sweatshirts usually recommends allowing their 100% cotton sweatpants to be laid out horizontally to dry, instead of hanging them up or putting them through a dryer cycle. Shrinking shouldn’t be a problem with their products, as their offerings are already pre-shrunk. However, other garments made out of 100% cotton from other manufacturers do not carry the same guarantee. Furthermore, hanging the sweatpants out to dry may cause them to sag.
Drying your sweatpants flat also helps prevent creases. However, should you wish to iron them, you can absolutely do so. You can use a steam or dry iron to get rid of any creases, as long as the iron is set to low–about 230°F.
Further considerations
Pilling is a common issue that plagues almost all types of fabric, not just 100% cotton. They can make your items look old and worn. Just Sweatshirts’ selections are guaranteed not to pill after washing, but you may find it happening in other sweatpants that you own.
To remedy pilling on clothes, you can use a sandpaper sponge to scrub them off. Alternatively, you can trim the pills with a small pair of scissors. You can also use a shaving razor to gently lift them off and make your clothes look like new again.
For 100% cotton sweatpants that are guaranteed 100% comfortable, check out Just Sweatshirts today. In addition to sweatpants, they offer sweatshirts, hoodies, and other staples in a wide variety of styles and colors you’ll love.
