Material file · Clothes
Polyester: what it can take
Covers polyester and nylon tops, dresses, linings and uniforms. Soaking is allowed, which gives enzymes and oxygen bleach time to work without scrubbing.
- Water
- Yes
- Max temperature
- 40 °C (104 °F)
- Rubbing
- Gently
- Stain files
- 41
01 What it is
It is machine- or hand-washable, so treatments can be rinsed out properly.
The fibre in polyester is synthetic (polyester, nylon or similar): tough against most chemicals, but sensitive to heat and solvents, and it holds oily stains tightly.
It is oleophilic, so it holds onto oils more strongly than water.
It is heat-sensitive: high temperatures set creases and oily stains, or melt the fibre.
Its dyes are the limiting factor: anything that oxidises or strips colour must be tested first.
02 House rules
- Soaking is allowed, which gives enzymes and oxygen bleach time to work without scrubbing.
03 Field notes
- Polyester is oleophilic: it attracts oil more strongly than water, so greasy stains grip it and plain water just beads off.
- Heat sets polyester permanently (that is how pleats are made), and it sets oily stains in the same way.
04 Every cleaner, rated
| Cleaner | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Acetone | Test first | Most polyester and nylon tolerate it, but check the label for acetate, triacetate or modacrylic, which it dissolves. |
| Baking soda | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Borax | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Citrus adhesive remover | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Cornstarch | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Dish soap | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Bio detergent | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Enzyme cleaner | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Hot water | Test first | Polyester tolerates warm water, but hot water locks in oily stains and sets creases. |
| Household ammonia | Test first | Alkalis can change some dyes; test a seam. |
| Hydrogen peroxide 3% | Test first | It can lighten dyes; test on an inside seam and keep contact short. |
| Oxalic acid cleanser | Test first | It can lighten dyes; test a seam. |
| Oxygen bleach | Test first | Colour-safe on most dyes; check a hidden seam with a dab of solution first. |
| Rubbing alcohol | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Steam cleaner | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White vinegar | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Lemon juice | Avoid | Lemon plus daylight bleaches dyed fabric unevenly. |
| WD-40 | Avoid | Not recommended as a home laundry stain treatment; use a fabric-labelled pretreatment instead. |
| Chlorine bleach | Never | It strips colour from dyed fabric. |
| Magic eraser | Never | It shreds and pills fabric fibres. |
05 Stains on polyester
| Stain | Difficulty | Never |
|---|---|---|
| Hair dye | Specialist | Hot water, Waiting |
| BBQ sauce | Tough | Hot water, The dryer |
| Bike chain and motor grease | Tough | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Nail polish | Tough | Rubbing, Acetone on acetate |
| Self-tanner and fake tan | Tough | Hot water, Waiting |
| Sweat and yellow underarm stains | Tough | Chlorine bleach, Hot water |
| Turmeric and curry | Tough | Hot water, The dryer |
| Ballpoint ink | Stubborn | Hairspray, Rubbing |
| Beetroot | Stubborn | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Berries | Stubborn | Bar soap, Hot water |
| Chocolate | Stubborn | Hot water, The dryer |
| Grape and cranberry juice | Stubborn | Hot water, Bar soap |
| Grass | Stubborn | Hot water, The dryer |
| Grease and cooking oil | Stubborn | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Lipstick | Stubborn | Rubbing, Hot water |
| Mascara and eyeliner | Stubborn | Rubbing, Hot water |
| Mustard | Stubborn | Hot water, The dryer |
| Red wine | Stubborn | Hot water, Salt as a stain-removal substitute |
| Salad dressing | Stubborn | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Sunscreen | Stubborn | Chlorine bleach, The dryer |
| Tomato sauce and ketchup | Stubborn | Hot water, The dryer |
| Avocado | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Blood | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Butter | Manageable | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Candle wax | Manageable | Hot water, Rubbing |
| Coffee | Manageable | Hot water, Bar soap |
| Cola and soda | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Egg | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Foundation and concealer | Manageable | Rubbing, Hot water |
| Gravy | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Hair and body oil | Manageable | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Ice cream | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Matcha | Manageable | Hot water, Bar soap |
| Peanut butter | Manageable | The dryer, Rubbing |
| Perfume | Manageable | The dryer, Ironing |
| Soy sauce | Manageable | Hot water, The dryer |
| Tea | Manageable | Hot water, Bar soap |
| Beer | Easy | Hot water, The dryer |
| Bronzer, blush and eyeshadow | Easy | Water first, Rubbing |
| Deodorant marks | Easy | The dryer, Chlorine bleach |
| Orange juice | Easy | Hot water, The dryer |
06 The most common mistakes on polyester
Counted across all 41 stain files for polyester:
- The dryer before it is gone (39 files). Dryer heat locks in whatever is left. Air-dry and check first.
- Hot water (29 files). Heat helps pigments bond to the fibres before you have lifted them.
- Rubbing or scrubbing (23 files). It spreads the stain and grinds it deeper; blot instead.
- Bar soap or soap flakes (6 files). True soap is alkaline, and alkalis set tannin stains such as wine, coffee, tea and fruit.
- Chlorine bleach (4 files). Do not assume chlorine bleach is suitable for this stain or material. Follow the care label and product restrictions; it can remove dyes and damage fibres.
- Ironing over it (3 files). Heat browns leftover sugar and melts wax deeper into the fibres.
07 What the polyester files use most
These are the products the 41 stain files for polyester rely on most. Enzyme laundry detergent leads because enzymes act on particular substances: proteases on proteins, amylases on starch and lipases on fats.
08 When to call a professional
Pleated or bonded polyester and anything with glued trims.
Specialist-rated stains on polyester: hair dye.