Fiber Content
Cotton
Fabrics made of cotton are highly absorbent, allow air to pass through, and therefore are comfortable to wear. Cotton is a strong and durable fiber. Fabrics can be washed, but may shrink if not Sanforized™ to resist shrinkage. Most cottons need to be ironed. Some very fine, soft, almost silk-like cottons need little more than a touch-up ironing. Cotton can be blended with polyester or other man-made fibers to make it more resistant to wrinkling.

Silk
This luxurious natural fiber has natural luster and strength. It dyes well, but may bleed into wash water. Dry cleaning is recommended for most fabrics made from silk. Washable silks may be washed by hand using a mild soap. For best results, press hand washed silks while still slightly damp. Care must be taken not to water mark the fabric with a steam iron that may weep water or "spit" during pressing.

Rayon
Rayon is a popular fashion fabric which is soft, absorbent, and comfortable to wear. It takes dyes well. Regular or viscose rayon has low wet strength. As a result it may stretch or shrink when washed. Dry cleaning is usually recommended. Some rayons are now blended with polyester. If 30% polyester is present the garment can be safely machine washed and tumble dried. High wet modulus rayon, often referred to as polynosic rayon, is a modified rayon that has high wet strength and can therefore be machine washed and tumbled dried.

Polyester
This man-made fiber resists wrinkles, stretching and shrinking. It is often blended with other fibers, particularly cotton and rayon to add wrinkle resistance and easy care qualities. It is not absorbent nor does it breathe, making 100% polyester garments uncomfortable in warm temperatures.

Acetate
This is a man-made fiber which is lustrous, drapes well and does not shrink. It must be dry cleaned unless carefully handled when wet. Acetate is typically found in dressy garments