When you wear clothes, evaporated sweat and sebum are absorbed into the fibers and cause stains, even though they are not visible to the naked eye.

Furthermore, it will absorb dust and exhaust gases from the living environment and become dirty. Over time, the dirt will oxidize and become difficult to remove.

Stains can be divided into three types: water-soluble, oil-soluble, and insoluble.

• Water-soluble: sweat, urine, blood, soy sauce, sauce, juice
• Oil-soluble: sebum, cooking oil, machine oil, lipstick
• Insoluble: sand, mud, soot, clay, dust

Water-soluble stains dissolve in water, and oil-soluble stains dissolve in oil. Even if the main component of the stain is water-soluble or oil-soluble, it is rare for it to come off with just water or oil, because various types of stains adhere to the clothes at the same time.
That's why you need detergent.

I think that most people choose alkaline or neutral detergents as their regular laundry detergent. Alkaline detergents are easier to remove dirt, but the stronger the alkali, the easier it is to remove dirt, but it is not only bad for your skin, but it can also damage the dyes in your clothes and cause unnatural fading of your clothes. For this reason, neutral or weak alkaline detergents are safe and easy to use, and neutral detergents are suitable for washing delicate materials (silk, wool) and colored and patterned items.

Here are some tips to clean your laundry properly:

1. Washing machine capacity and amount of laundry

As a guideline, fill the washing machine to 70% capacity. Overfilling the washing machine with too much laundry will not only make it harder to remove dirt, but it can also cause many problems, such as recontamination (dirt sticking to clothes again), color bleeding, and ripping due to tangling.

② Amount of detergent used

It is important to use the amount of detergent specified by the detergent manufacturer. Too little detergent will not remove dirt well, and too much will cause insufficient rinsing and damage to the fabric.

③ Water volume and temperature

The amount of water should be enough to completely submerge "fully absorbed laundry" when stationary. The ideal water temperature for everyday washing is about 20°C. If the water temperature is low, dirt will not come off as well, and the higher the water temperature, the better the dirt will come off. However, if the temperature is too high, it can put more strain on the clothes, so care must be taken. Also, with clothes that have poor dye fastness, there is a risk of color fading. If you are worried about color fading, wash the clothes by hand or soak them.

④ Washing time

The standard is about 10 minutes. Washing for a short time will not be very effective. Also, washing for a long time can damage the fabric and lead to re-contamination. If the item is very dirty, wash it in spots before washing. When washing, be aware not only of removing dirt but also of reducing the burden on the fibers. Daily washing is important to keep your clothes comfortable and long-lasting.

Transfer

Dye transfer occurs when clothes rub against each other due to friction, and the dye that has been absorbed is transferred to other items. It also refers to the absorption of evaporating chemicals on clothes. The transfer of the odor of insect repellent is also a type of dye transfer. Dye transfer is more likely to occur the higher the temperature and the higher the alkalinity. Dark-colored items use more dye than light-colored items, so the color is less absorbed, the fastness is lower, and the color transfer is more likely. Therefore, when washing, wash dark and light colors separately. Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and wool are more likely to transfer dye than chemical fibers because they are more easily dyed, so special care is required. Leaving washed laundry wet can not only cause dye transfer, but also mold growth, wrinkles, and deformation, so please dry it promptly. Once mold has adhered to clothes, it is difficult to remove and it puts a lot of strain on the clothes, so it is important to create an environment where mold does not grow and take proper measures.

Contamination (from a hygienic point of view)

This is a phenomenon where dirt that has come off from the fibers during washing adheres back to the fibers due to the thermal movement and mechanical action of the washing machine. This can be done by maintaining the appropriate capacity of the washing machine and the amount of detergent, but recently detergents that are less likely to cause mold to grow in the washing machine drum have also been released. Contamination can also be prevented by keeping the washing machine itself clean.

Dry cleaning is a washing method that does not use water, but uses non-flammable organic solvents. It effectively removes oil-soluble dirt and does not use water, so the fibers do not become swollen, preventing deformation, shrinkage, and fading. This cleaning method is suitable for clothes made of delicate materials such as wool and silk, whose quality is easily deteriorated by washing.

However, water-soluble stains are difficult to remove, and if you only dry clean the item, water-soluble stains may accumulate and cause discoloration.
In addition, organic solvents dissolve synthetic dyes, so depending on the clothing, the color may fade or buttons may melt. All clothing items have pictograms indicating whether they can be dry cleaned or not.

Most clothes that are returned after cleaning are wrapped in plastic. This is to protect them from wrinkles and dust when you take them home. However, if you store them in plastic packaging, moisture will accumulate inside the bag, causing mold and discoloration. Also, organic solvents that are not dried properly can be bad for your skin, and if you wear them, they may cause sores. Be sure to remove the packaging before storing and dry them in the shade in a well-ventilated place before storing.

How to wash denim (UES recommended)

First wash (1st time)

Shrink the denim and thoroughly remove any starch from the fabric.

Imagine the moment you put your feet into your jeans and wash them with care.

1. Fasten all front buttons and turn the jeans inside out to prevent the surface of the fabric from rubbing against the washing machine and causing unnatural fading.
   
   
2. Soak in a bathtub or other water bath at about 50 degrees for about an hour. If the temperature is too high, the leather patch will shrink. Due to the function of the bathtub, it is not necessary to maintain the water temperature. Note that the color may come out in the hot water.
   
   
3. Add detergent and place the denim inside out in the washing machine.
   Please use a neutral detergent that does not contain fluorescent agents or bleach.
   Please use a neutral detergent that does not contain fluorescent agents or bleach.
   
   ☆ Fully automatic washing machine (high water level, standard cycle) is recommended! ☆
   Using a high amount of water will help remove the glue thoroughly.
   
   Drum type washing machine
   The amount of water is too small and can cause unnatural streaks or marks on the fabric. Please refrain from using this method as much as possible.
   
   
4. Dry inside out in the sun.
   Press the outseam (red selvedge) and straighten the split seam before hanging to dry. This is to ensure that the selvedge edges stand out nicely as the color fades.
   
   Please refrain from using a dryer as it may cause the leather patch to shrink or crack.

For subsequent washes, follow the steps ①→③→④.

How to wash cut and sewn items (T-shirts and sweatshirts)

If the garment has dark colours or prints, wash it inside out.

Washing clothes with the outside facing out can cause streaking (unnatural streaky color fading) and damage to the fabric due to friction between clothes and the washing machine. Putting clothes in a laundry net can prevent pilling and reduce damage to the print. When drying, use a thick hanger to prevent the clothes from losing their shape. It also allows air to pass through easily, so they dry quickly.

*1 If the item has a zipper, wash it with it closed.
Zipper pulls can damage clothing, lose their shape, and cause the zipper to break.
*2 UES mainly uses reactive dyeing for dyeing T-shirts. This dye reacts with alkaline detergent and may cause discoloration, so we recommend using a neutral detergent.

UES cut and sew products are delivered in a water-treated state after dyeing and washing. The final process of product processing involves high-temperature drying, so the products are in their most shrunken state. They may feel tight at first, but they will fit your body better with repeated wearing and washing. We use durable, highly elastic fabrics, with the expectation that they will be worn for a long time. As they change over time, you can feel their durability, which can withstand years of wear.

How to wash a shirt

Remove the buttons and wash inside out. Washing with the buttons closed puts stress on the buttons due to the water flow, which makes the button holes more likely to open and the button threads more likely to become twisted and come off. Putting the garment in a laundry net will prevent the threads from getting tangled and the color from fading due to friction.

*UES shirts use many natural buttons carved from coconuts. Please refrain from using a dryer as they may be damaged by heat. When hanging out to dry, pull the sleeves and body to remove wrinkles and straighten the shape. This will make ironing dress shirts easier.

How to wash the cap

We recommend hand washing to reduce damage caused by the brim of the cap hitting the washing machine drum and to prevent punctures in the stitching.
If you use a washing machine to spin dry, wrap it in a towel with the outside facing inward and place it in a net to prevent damage. Hang it in a well-ventilated place and stuff the cap to maintain its shape.

*Hats made from natural grass, felt, and other materials that are molded into a shape are weak to water and will lose their shape, so they generally cannot be washed.
Wet a clean cloth, wring it out tightly, and use it to wipe the sweat strip inside the hat to remove any dirt.

How to wash socks

To remove dirt such as sebum, wash inside out.
Squeezing the clothes too hard can damage the elastic and threads, so it is strictly forbidden to do so.

*The rubber at the opening of the shoe will deteriorate when it dries and moisture escapes. The quality of the natural rubber will decrease if it is exposed to direct sunlight or exposed to sudden heat from a dryer. The same can be said for drying in front of a kerosene stove.

Also, since they are sensitive to chlorine, please avoid using chlorine-based detergents as much as possible. When drying, place the opening rubber part facing up to prevent moisture from accumulating on the rubber (moisture accumulates at the bottom due to gravity) and in a well-ventilated place so that the opening rubber can dry easily.

Even though they are socks, they are knitted in the same way as sweaters. Please take good care of them to ensure they last longer.

We would like to introduce the dyes used in UES products.

Reactive dyes

This dyeing method uses an alkaline reactive liquid to fix the color on the fabric through a chemical reaction. It is highly durable because it is chemically bonded to the fibers. Another major feature is that it uses dyes with excellent color development, allowing for vivid dyeing.

Fine dye particles penetrate deep into the fabric, improving fastness (materials that are highly reactive and prone to chemical changes due to fading are dyed at low temperatures. Materials that are less reactive and do not absorb color easily are dyed at high temperatures, ensuring high fastness. In addition, the use of dyeing aids can improve color absorption and fastness.

This reactive dye is one of the most commonly used dyes in dye factories. It is characterized by its durability, high fastness, and ease of use, but UES uses a unique reactive dye that is durable and allows you to enjoy the natural aging process. Please feel the charm of the color fading.

Sulfur dyes

Since it is a water-insoluble dye, it is heated and dissolved with sodium sulfide to make it water-soluble, and then dyed. The dye is allowed to penetrate the fibers, and after dyeing, it is oxidized by exposing it to air, returning it to its original insoluble form and developing color. To further develop the color, it is immersed in an oxidizing agent. Generally, the hues are unclear, but the colors are complex and tasteful. Like indigo, this is a dyeing method that develops a unique texture the more it is used.

Pigments

Pigments, like paints, do not dye the fabric directly, but rather bind the color to the gaps in the fabric to produce the color. Therefore, when the pigment peels off during washing, it creates a unique color. In addition, because it has good light fastness (does not fade easily in the sun), it is often used for flags, banners, curtains, etc. to be used outdoors. Generally, pigment dyeing is often called printing, but printing is a technique and does not refer to pigment dyeing.

(*If we were to compare dyes and pigments in terms of the size of their color particles, they would be like ping-pong balls and volleyballs. Pigments with large particles cannot penetrate deep into the fibers, so they just stick to the top of the fibers.)

Direct dyes

This dye can be used directly on fibers without mordant (the process of fixing the dye to the fiber) using aluminum or other materials. As the name suggests, the dye is dissolved in water and used to dye fabric or thread directly. It is characterized by the natural aging process due to washing and tanning. Although it is not possible to create as many colors as reactive dyes, it produces a color with a sense of texture.

Indigo dye

This is a dye commonly used for blue jeans, but nowadays synthetic indigo, which is made by artificially producing the main component of "indigo", is commonly used.

Indigo is also insoluble as it is, so it is sometimes used as a pigment. When dyeing, indigo is first dissolved using an alkaline agent and a reducing agent, and then dyed. When indigo comes into contact with air, it oxidizes and turns blue. It has a weak dyeing power, so the color will become darker with repeated dyeing.

UES denim uses indigo rope dyeing for the yarn.

This technique involves repeatedly dipping the yarn in a dye bath, exposing it to air and allowing it to oxidize. Because the yarn is tied in a rope shape, only the surface of the yarn is dyed, and the center remains white. (White core) By using this yarn as the warp thread of denim, it creates a natural color fade and a blue and white contrast when worn.

Mechanism of color fading

Indigo will fade due to friction and washing.

The wrinkles will fit your body and will gradually develop a worn look due to friction when you move. To enjoy the fading of denim with its various shades, it is important to wear it in as much as possible and allow the wrinkles to set in. If you wash it too much, the fading will not be stable and the color will fade flatly overall.

Indigo Caution

Indigo has a weak dyeing ability, so friction can cause color fading and color transfer. Indigo's color changes at 50°C, so caution is required during the rainy season and summer when conditions such as sweat, rain, and humidity are in full swing and the dye can easily transfer to other clothing. Also, drying it outside for long periods of time when UV rays are strong can result in sunburn and discoloration. If you are not going to use it right away, you can maintain its quality by storing it in a breathable place out of direct sunlight.