Puuvillapesu

Puuvillapesu refers to the washing of cotton textiles. In Finnish laundry terminology, puuvilla means cotton and pesu means washing, and the term is used to describe both the care of cotton fabrics and the dedicated cotton wash program on many domestic washing machines.

Cotton care characteristics include that cotton fibers are strong but can shrink and wrinkle, especially after repeated washes. Cotton absorbs dyes readily, so colorfastness and bleeding are considerations when washing mixed or new garments. Proper care helps maintain softness, fit, and appearance over time.

Washing programs and temperatures commonly used for cotton vary by machine. A dedicated puuvillapesu or cotton cycle typically operates at higher temperatures (such as 40°C to 60°C) for everyday cottons and white textiles, with some machines offering a higher-temperature option (around 90°C) for heavily soiled whites or for sterilization. For energy efficiency and to reduce wear, many households also use cooler settings (around 30°C–40°C) for lightly soiled cotton items. Load size, soil level, and garment labels should guide temperature and cycle choice.

Detergents and additives: Use a detergent formulated for cotton and follow label instructions. Chlorine bleach is effective for white cottons, whereas oxygen-based bleaches are safer for many colorfast fabrics. Fabric softeners can be used, but they may reduce absorbency in towels and some cotton textiles.

Practical tips include sorting by color and soil, turning garments inside out, pre-treating stains, not overloading the washer, and following garment labels. After washing, air drying or tumble drying on an appropriate setting helps minimize shrinkage and wrinkling.