How to Wash Time and Tru Clothes: Fabric & Care Guide

Time and Tru apparel is built for everyday wear, and most of it survives everyday laundry without fuss. Still, how long a piece keeps its fit and color depends on how you wash it. Many Time and Tru items are labeled easy-care, but a little attention to fabric type and washing method extends their life noticeably.

Understanding Your Time and Tru Garments

Start with the care label inside the garment. It is the most accurate guide for that particular piece, since fabric blends and finishes vary. Many Time and Tru products are designed for convenience and carry descriptions like “Machine washable” or “Easy Care,” so day-to-day maintenance stays simple.

For example, items such as the Time and Tru Women’s Pull on Jeggings are highlighted for their “Easy Care” nature, while the Time and Tru Coral Fire High Rise Stretch Fitted Capri Jegging is directly labeled “Machine washable.” With a few general rules and some fabric-specific knowledge, you can care for almost any Time and Tru piece.

Washing Guidelines for Time and Tru Apparel

Proper washing begins before the cycle starts. These steps protect your clothes from damage and premature wear.

• Sort Your Laundry: Separate clothes by color (lights, darks, and colors) to prevent dye transfer. Also, consider separating by fabric type and weight. Delicate items should be washed separately from heavier, more abrasive fabrics like denim or items with zippers and buttons.
• Check Pockets and Zippers: Always empty pockets to avoid damaging the garment or the washing machine. Zip up zippers and fasten hooks to prevent them from snagging other items during the wash cycle.
• Turn Garments Inside Out: For items with prints, delicate embellishments, or dark colors, turning them inside out before washing can help protect the surface, prevent fading, and reduce pilling.
• Choose the Right Water Temperature: Cold water is often the safest choice for most Time and Tru clothing, especially for colored items, as it helps prevent shrinking and fading. Warm water can be used for whites or heavily soiled items, but always verify with the care label. Hot water should generally be avoided unless specifically recommended, as it can set stains, cause shrinkage, and damage delicate fibers.
• Select a Gentle Detergent: Use a mild detergent suitable for the fabric type. Avoid harsh chemicals or excessive amounts of detergent, which can leave residue or damage fibers over time.
• Pre-treat Stains: Address stains as soon as possible. Apply a small amount of stain remover directly to the stained area, following product instructions, before washing the entire garment. Always test stain removers on an inconspicuous area first.

Fabric-Specific Care for Time and Tru Clothes

Time and Tru uses a range of fabrics, each with its own care requirements. Knowing which one you’re washing lets you adjust the routine accordingly.

Cotton and Cotton Blends

Cotton is a natural fiber known for its breathability and comfort. Many Time and Tru items, like the Time and Tru Women’s Short Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt (100% Cotton) and the Time and Tru Women’s Knit T-Shirt Dress (100% Cotton), are machine washable. Blends, such as the 60% Cotton/40% Polyester blend found in the Time and Tru Women’s Long Sleeve Thermal Top, also benefit from similar care.

• Washing: Machine wash in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle. To prevent excessive wrinkling, avoid overloading the washing machine.
• Detergent: Use a standard mild detergent. For whites, non-chlorine bleach can be used if the care label permits.
• Drying: Tumble dry on low heat or air dry to prevent shrinkage and maintain shape. Remove promptly to minimize wrinkles.

Polyester and Synthetic Blends

Polyester is a durable synthetic fiber often blended with other materials for added stretch, wrinkle resistance, and quick-drying properties. You’ll find polyester in items like the Time and Tru Women’s Pull on Capri Leggings (Polyester Blend), Time and Tru Crochet Lace Insert Swim Cover Up (100% polyester), and many sweatshirts and hoodies.

• Washing: Machine wash in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle. High temperatures can damage polyester fibers and contribute to pilling.
• Detergent: A mild detergent is sufficient. Avoid fabric softeners, as they can reduce the fabric’s moisture-wicking properties and leave residue.
• Drying: Tumble dry on low heat or air dry. Polyester dries quickly, so air drying saves energy and avoids heat damage.

Viscose, Rayon, and Lyocell

These are semi-synthetic fibers with a soft, silky feel and a fluid drape. Time And Tru Women’s Eyelet Kimono is made from 100% Viscose, and the Time and Tru Women’s Belted Tencel Shorts are 100% Lyocell. These fabrics can be delicate when wet.

• Washing: Machine wash cold on a delicate cycle, or hand wash to best preserve the fabric. Avoid twisting or wringing, which can stretch or damage the fibers.
• Detergent: Use a gentle detergent formulated for delicate items.
• Drying: Lay flat to air dry on a clean, dry towel. Avoid hanging, as wet viscose and rayon can stretch out of shape. Do not tumble dry, as high heat can cause shrinkage.

Spandex and Elastane Blends

Spandex (also known as elastane) provides stretch and shape retention, making it popular in items like Time and Tru Women’s Pull on Jeggings, swimwear, and ribbed tops. It’s often blended with cotton, polyester, or rayon.

• Washing: Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle. Hot water can break down the elastic fibers over time, reducing stretch.
• Detergent: Use a mild detergent. Avoid fabric softeners, as they can cling to spandex fibers and reduce their elasticity.
• Drying: Air dry whenever possible. If using a dryer, tumble dry on the lowest heat setting for a short period, then remove while still slightly damp to finish air drying. High heat is the enemy of spandex.

Linen and Linen Blends

Linen is a natural fiber prized for its strength, absorbency, and coolness. Time and Tru offers items like the Time and Tru Womens Plus Size Relaxed Fit Linen Shorts, and Women’s Linen Shorts (55% Linen/45% Rayon).

• Washing: Machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle. Linen can be prone to wrinkling, so washing in smaller loads can help.
• Detergent: Use a mild detergent. Avoid harsh bleaches.
• Drying: Tumble dry on low heat, or better, hang to dry or lay flat. Linen wrinkles easily, so remove it from the dryer while slightly damp and smooth it out.

Acrylic and Knitwear

Acrylic is a synthetic fiber often used in knitwear for its soft, wool-like feel and warmth. The Time and Tru Plus Size Womens Black V-Neck Knit Red Yellow Blue Winter Sweater (68% acrylic/32% polyester) is an example. Other knit items like cardigans and sweaters may also contain acrylic.

• Washing: Machine wash cold on a delicate or hand-wash cycle. Hot water can cause acrylic to stretch or pill.
• Detergent: Use a mild detergent. Avoid fabric softeners if you want to maintain the fabric’s structure.
• Drying: Lay flat to dry on a clean, dry surface, reshaping the garment as needed. Hanging wet knitwear can cause it to stretch out of shape. If tumble drying, use the lowest heat setting and remove promptly.

Nylon (Swimwear)

Nylon is a strong, quick-drying synthetic fiber commonly used in swimwear, such as the Women’s Black Chevron Halter One Piece Swimsuit (85% Nylon/15% Spandex).

• Washing: After each use, rinse your swimwear thoroughly in cold water to remove chlorine, salt, and sunscreen. Hand wash with a mild soap or machine wash cold on a delicate cycle in a mesh laundry bag.
• Detergent: Use a gentle, non-chlorine detergent.
• Drying: Always air dry swimwear flat or hanging in the shade. Direct sunlight and high heat can cause fading and damage the elastic fibers.

Drying Your Time and Tru Clothes

Drying matters as much as washing. The wrong setting can shrink, stretch, or damage a garment.

• Air Drying: For most Time and Tru garments, especially those made of delicate fabrics like viscose, rayon, spandex blends, or linen, air drying is the safest option. Lay items flat on a clean, dry surface or hang them on a padded hanger to maintain their shape. Ensure good air circulation to speed up drying and prevent mildew.
• Tumble Drying: If using a dryer, always opt for the lowest heat setting. High heat can cause shrinkage, especially in cotton, and can damage elastic fibers in blends. For items like the Time and Tru Women’s Long-Sleeve, Hooded Heavyweight Parka Jacket (100% polyester), low heat is generally safe. Remove items as soon as they are dry, or even slightly damp, to prevent wrinkles and over-drying.
• Avoid Overloading: Do not overcrowd the dryer, as this can lead to uneven drying and increased wrinkling.

Smart Storage for Lasting Wear

Storage affects how long your Time and Tru clothing keeps its shape and color.

• Folding vs. Hanging: Knitwear, such as sweaters and cardigans, and delicate items like the Time And Tru Women’s Eyelet Kimono, should be folded to prevent stretching or distorting their shape. Most other items, including shirts, dresses, and outerwear, can be hung on appropriate hangers.
• Use Proper Hangers: For items that are hung, use sturdy hangers that support the garment’s shape. Padded hangers prevent shoulder bumps on delicate blouses and dresses.
• Clean and Dry Storage: Ensure clothes are completely clean and dry before storing them to prevent mildew, odors, or attracting pests. Store clothes in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight.
• Seasonal Storage: For off-season clothing, consider using breathable garment bags or containers to protect them from dust and damage.

Keep Your Favorites Fresh

Time and Tru clothing is made for everyday wear, and these care habits keep the fit, color, and texture intact through many washes. The same rules apply across your wardrobe, from leggings to dresses and shirts: check the label, wash cold on gentle, and keep high heat away from stretch fabrics.

Most of the work is in the sorting and the settings. Get those right and your Time and Tru pieces will hold up season after season.