Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Yes, most metal buttons can go in the washing machine and in the dryer. Button the garment up and turn it inside out, and put garments with delicate buttons in a laundry bag. Brass and zinc alloy buttons do not rust in the true sense, because they contain no iron, but they can tarnish. Rust appears on steel parts when their finish is damaged. Buttons with enamel, glued stones, lacquer or a fabric covering need extra care.
Can metal buttons go in the dryer?
The metal itself copes with the heat of a home tumble dryer without trouble. The risks are mechanical and related to decorative elements:
- knocks against the drum: buttons rub and bang, which scratches the finish and makes noise;
- heat: metal heats up more than fabric and at high temperatures can mark thin synthetics;
- glued elements: stones, pearls and inserts fixed with adhesive can come loose in heat;
- enamel and lacquer: with frequent high heat and impact they can crack at the edge.
The practical rule: tumble dry on low or medium heat, fasten all buttons and turn the garment inside out. A blazer, jacket or coat with decorative metal buttons should not go in the dryer at all; the garment's shape will suffer long before the buttons do.
Can metal buttons go in the washing machine?
Yes. Jeans, for example, are washed hundreds of times with a metal button and rivets. To protect both the buttons and the machine, follow a few steps:
- Fasten the buttons and the zip so the metal does not snag other clothes.
- Turn the garment inside out so the caps stay inside and do not hit the drum.
- Use a laundry bag for blouses and dresses with decorative metal buttons.
- Choose the temperature on the care label: for most garments with metal buttons, 30–40 °C is enough.
- Avoid chlorine bleach: it attacks finishes and speeds up tarnishing.
- Take the garment out as soon as the cycle ends: wet fabric around the button is the main cause of stains.
Do metal buttons rust?
Rust is iron oxide, so it depends on whether the button contains iron or steel. Here is what happens to different materials with washing and moisture:
| Material | Does it rust? | What can happen |
|---|---|---|
| Brass | No | Tarnish, greenish patina with prolonged moisture |
| Plated zinc alloy | No | White-grey oxide if the finish is worn through |
| Aluminium | No | Dulling and white spots with harsh detergents |
| Plated steel | Yes, if the layer is damaged | Rust stains around the button and on the fabric |
| Stainless steel | Very rarely | High resistance, suited to workwear and outdoor clothing |
A brown stain around a button usually comes from a steel tack or a steel button base whose finish has been scratched. That is why brands choose brass or stainless steel for garments that get wet often. More about materials in our article on brass vs zinc alloy buttons.
Can you wash metal buttons that have been removed?
Yes, but not in the machine. Clean loose buttons in a bowl of warm water with mild soap and a soft brush, then dry them straight away. Removable buttons on uniforms and blazers, held with a split ring, are taken off precisely so they do not go through washing and dry cleaning. If the buttons have tarnished, see how to clean brass buttons.
Which buttons need more care
- enamel or coloured lacquer: no high heat and no dryer;
- glued stones and pearls: only a delicate wash in a bag, or by hand;
- fabric-covered buttons with a metal base: moisture can bring rust through the fabric if the base is steel;
- antique and patinated finishes: no abrasives or bleach, so the effect does not wear off;
- snap buttons: washable, but the spring lasts longer when they are fastened (snap buttons).
Care labels and metal buttons
Washing and drying symbols under ISO 3758 apply to the whole garment, so they are set by its most sensitive component. If a linen shirt has enamelled buttons, the label must reflect the buttons' limits, not just the fabric's. The tumble-dry symbol (a circle in a square) with one dot means low heat, and the crossed-out symbol means do not tumble dry.
For manufacturers: wash-testing buttons
Before production, wash a sample of the finished garment with the real programme and detergent, ideally following a standard procedure such as ISO 6330 for domestic washing and drying in textile testing. Check the finish, colour, fabric around the button and how firmly it is attached. For industrial denim washes (stone wash, enzyme, bleaching) the test is essential, because some processes are far harsher than home washing. More on preventing tarnish in metal buttons and washing.
Air drying and ironing around metal buttons
If you are not sure how the buttons will cope with a tumble dryer, air dry the garment on a hanger or flat. Metal buttons dry quickly, but the fabric underneath stays damp longer, so let the garment dry completely before putting it away.
When ironing, do not place the iron directly on a metal button. It gets very hot, can leave an imprint on the fabric, and the finish and enamel can suffer. Iron around the button, or from the reverse side on a soft pad so the buttons sink into it.
Dry cleaning garments with metal buttons
Most metal buttons tolerate dry cleaning. The exceptions are buttons with lacquer, enamel, glued elements or plastic inserts, which can react with solvents. For expensive jackets and uniforms, dry cleaners often wrap the buttons in foil or remove them. Removable buttons with a split ring are the answer for exactly these garments.
Metal buttons that stand up to washing
Polkom is a manufacturer of metal buttons and jeans buttons in brass, zinc alloy and stainless steel, with finishes from a colour card. All our metal accessories are nickel free, including finishes in a nickel colour. We send samples so you can test the buttons with your fabric and wash programme before production. For a quote, contact us.
