Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Garments with a plastic (moulded) zip can be washed and tumble dried if the zip is closed, the item is turned inside out and the temperature on the label is followed. Plastic teeth do not rust, but they cannot withstand high temperatures when ironing and pressing. With zips in the tumble dryer, the riskiest factors are high temperature and knocks in the drum.
Zips in the tumble dryer: what happens
In a tumble dryer, garments rotate in hot air. There are three risks for the zip: heat, mechanical impact and friction. Polyacetal, which the teeth of a moulded zip are made of, withstands normal clothes-drying temperatures, but at an excessively high setting and with long drying the plastic can soften, especially if it is in contact with the hot drum. The metal slider heats up more than the teeth. Knocks, meanwhile, can bend the puller or crack the slider.
Tumble dryer rules
- Follow the drying symbol on the label – a circle in a square with one or two dots.
- Choose a lower temperature if the label allows a choice.
- Close the zip completely and turn the item inside out.
- Do not over-dry – take the garment out when it is dry.
- If the label prohibits tumble drying, dry in the air.
Washing in the machine
- Close the zip – an open zip catches and tears other garments, and its teeth bend.
- Turn inside out – the slider and teeth are better protected.
- Use a laundry bag for delicate items.
- Follow the temperature on the label – a moulded zip withstands normal washing temperatures for synthetics and cotton.
- Clean the chain of sand and salt before washing – abrasives damage the teeth as the drum turns.
Detergents do not damage polyacetal, but chlorine bleaches can change the colour of the tape. Follow the bleaching symbol.
Ironing
Ironing is the most common cause of damage to a plastic zip. Under a hot iron or press, the teeth can deform and the slider starts to stick.
- Do not iron directly over the teeth.
- Iron through a cloth or only around the zip.
- Use the temperature stated on the product's label.
- For industrial pressing in the factory, protect the zip area with a pad.
Dry cleaning
Most moulded zips withstand standard dry cleaning, but compatibility depends on the solvent and on the whole product. If the label allows dry cleaning, the zip will usually not be a problem. With special finishes on the slider or pullers with a rubberised element, test in advance.
Lubrication and cleaning
If the slider runs stiffly:
- clean the chain with a brush and lukewarm soapy water;
- leave it to dry;
- lubricate with a dry lubricant – paraffin, wax, graphite or a silicone zip spray;
- move the slider up and down a few times.
Avoid greasy oils – they hold dust and leave stains on the fabric.
Specific products
Down and ski jackets
Down jackets are often tumble dried with balls to break up the down. The balls knock against the zip, so the slider must be closed and, if possible, tucked into the zip garage. Use a low temperature and several shorter cycles instead of one long one.
Backpacks and holdalls
Backpacks are better washed by hand or in a laundry bag. Before that, empty the pockets, clean the sand out of the zip and open the zip halfway only if the manufacturer recommends it. Dry in the air.
Tents and awnings
These products are not machine washed. Clean the zip with a brush and water, let it dry completely and lubricate it with a dry lubricant before storage.
Workwear
Industrial laundering uses more intensive cycles. Here it is particularly important to test the sample in advance and to have the zip closed and protected by a flap.
Storage
Store jackets and zipped items closed, on a hanger or folded without sharply bending the chain. Put tents and outdoor products away dry and clean. Do not leave products with a moulded zip in direct sunlight for long, for example behind a car window – prolonged heating and UV rays make the tape more brittle over time and fade its colour.
What to put on the label
For manufacturers, zip care starts with the care label. The washing symbols under ISO 3758 must reflect the most sensitive component of the product – if the zip cannot withstand ironing at a high temperature, this must be reflected in the ironing symbol. A short text such as "Close the zip before washing" or "Do not iron over the zip" can also be added. You will find labels with instructions and washing symbols under care and composition labels.
Testing in production
Before the run, test a sample of the product with the real washing and drying regime from the label – several cycles, checking the colour of the tape, the movement of the slider and the integrity of the teeth. That way the care symbols will be realistic and there will be fewer complaints.
Metal versus moulded zip in the wash
| Situation | Moulded zip | Metal zip |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture and washing | Does not rust | Possible oxidation and stains |
| Tumble dryer | Yes, at a normal temperature | Yes, but the slider heats up |
| Ironing over the teeth | No | Yes, through a cloth |
| Bleaching | May change the colour of the tape | May damage the finish |
See the range in the moulded plastic zips category and the general overview in zips.
Polkom – zips and care labels
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags, based in Sofia, with over 30 years of experience. Besides zips, we also produce labels with washing symbols, so the zip and the label can be ordered together. Send an inquiry with a description of the product.
