According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the national average temperature in March was 7.4 degrees, 1.3 degrees higher than the normal. Unlike winter clothes that you wear for a long time and then dry-clean all at once, spring clothes need frequent washing. With many lightweight fabrics, they are more prone to issues like dye transfer and shrinkage during laundering, making this a time when people think more about how to care for them.
Kim Han-sol, a senior manager in the Living Solution Business Division's SE and R&D Planning Team in charge of washer-dryer products at LG Electronics, said in a phone interview with ChosunBiz on the 29th, "The key to garment care is to vary your washing method by fabric."
Kim said, "Blouses, shirts, and thin knits that you often wear in spring are lightweight and delicate, so it's important to check the care label before washing," adding, "Cotton shirts and basic blouses are relatively easy to manage, but very thin fabrics like silk and chiffon can have their texture damaged by even slight friction, so wash them with minimal agitation without kneading or rubbing." Kim added, "Be sure to use a laundry net for thin knits, and after washing on a wool or delicate cycle, it's best to spin for as short a time as possible."
Clothing damage from poor washing habits occurs frequently among both consumers and professional laundries. An analysis by the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) of cases received by the Textile Product Deliberation Committee found that about 82% of clothing damage cases ruled to be the consumer's responsibility from 2014 to 2016 stemmed from "carelessness in handling." The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) advises checking the care label attached to the product and choosing detergents and washing methods appropriate for the fabric to reduce clothing damage during washing.
In spring, there are many external factors like fine dust, pollen, and yellow dust that can irritate the skin. Kim said, "After going out, it is advisable to first lightly shake off any dust left on outerwear in an entryway or balcony close to the outside, and then wash undergarments that touch the skin directly separately from outerwear."
Recently, early-summer weather has appeared, with daytime highs reaching 28 degrees. Kim said, "For linen garments that you often wear in summer, it's best to wash them in lukewarm water at 30 degrees or below with a neutral detergent," adding, "For light-colored clothes, when a stain occurs, immediately clean only the soiled area, and wash them separately from dark-colored clothes to prevent dye transfer." Kim added, "For functional apparel such as technical outerwear made of special fabrics like Gore-Tex and Windstopper and sportswear, do not leave them damp with sweat for long; wash them as soon as possible."
AI washers and dryers released recently come with features designed to reduce concerns about fabric damage that can occur at each stage of washing. By identifying the characteristics of each material and offering customized washing, they improve consumer convenience. LG Electronics' all-in-one washer dryer Tromm Objet Collection WashCombo is a representative example.
Based on a DD motor and Deep Learning AI technology, this product customizes washing and drying according to the fabric type, weight, and degree of soiling. During the drying stage, where the risk of fabric shrinkage is high, an inverter heat pump dries at low temperatures to minimize fabric damage and distortion. The separate-wash-capable "Mini Wash" is also useful in seasons when frequent washing is needed.
WashCombo offers 24 all-in-one courses, 30 wash-only courses, and 18 dry-only courses. It also provides an "Allergy Care course," which uses TrueSteam to sterilize 99.99% of germs and allergens, and a "functional apparel course," suitable for managing outdoor clothing such as windbreakers, yoga wear, and sportswear.
For dresses or blouses made of lightweight, soft chiffon, using the "fabric protection" course allows for quick drying at low temperatures without shrinkage. The "bedding dust removal course," which shakes off dust from comforters and pillows, is also cited as a highly convenient feature.