How to Care & Wash Custom Patches | Extend Service Life & Prevent Fading, Peeling & Deformation

Universal Pre-Wash General Rules (All Patch Types Follow First)

1. Turn all patch-attached garments inside out to wrap patches inward and reduce direct friction with washer inner drum.
2. Remove all velcro detachable patches completely and store separately before putting clothes into washing machine; exposed hook teeth scratch fabric and catch thread during agitation.
3. Avoid soaking clothes with patches in warm or hot water over 30°C for long time; prolonged hot immersion accelerates pigment fading and iron glue failure.
4. Separate dark saturated patch apparel from light-colored garments for first three washes to avoid cross dye staining.

Targeted Washing Rules By Patch Craft

1. Embroidered & Woven Patches (Sew-On Primary)

• Water: Cold or room-temperature water only; gentle cycle washing machine setting.
• Detergent: Mild neutral laundry liquid, prohibit bleach, strong alkaline stain remover which corrodes dyed thread and causes fading.
• For heavily soiled work uniform patches: Local hand spot cleaning instead of full long-time soaking.
• Prohibit high-speed strong spin as excessive centrifugal force pulls patch edge loose gradually.

2. PVC Rubber Patches (Sew/Velcro/Iron Available)

• Stubborn dirt on rubber surface can be wiped by damp soft cloth directly without full garment soaking.
• Machine wash allowed on cold gentle mode; avoid prolonged contact with concentrated bleach to prevent surface matte coating aging.

3. 3D Puff Embroidery Patches

• Strictly forbid tumble dryer high-heat drying; only natural air dry.
• Never rub hard on raised puff surface during hand washing to prevent local foam flattening.
• Do not iron front puff surface under any circumstance.

Backing Exclusive Maintenance Specification

Iron-On Hot Melt Backing Patches

1. No hot water wash, no dryer heat drying, no high-temperature ironing.
2. Once edge starts peeling after washing: cover thin cotton cloth and low-temperature re-press partially, cool naturally with heavy flat object pressing on top.
3. Severe full detachment can add small anchor stitches at four corners for permanent fixation.

Sew-On Permanent Patches

Velcro Hook&Loop Patches

1. Peel off entirely before every garment wash, store patches flat while cleaning clothes.
2. Clean accumulated lint and fluff from hook teeth with small soft brush every 2~3 weeks to retain sticking performance.
3. Prevent hook side from sticking to other clothing during spare storage to avoid fabric damage.

Correct Drying Standard & Prohibited Operation

Recommended Method: Natural Shade Air Dry

Forbidden Drying Ways

1. High-temperature tumble dryer: damages iron glue, crushes 3D puff foam, speeds color fading of all fabric-based patches.
2. Direct outdoor blazing sun long exposure: main culprit of gradual patch discoloration.

Ironing Precautions

1. Embroidered/Woven/Sew-on patches: iron garment reverse fabric side only, never press patch front directly.
2. PVC rubber patches: avoid high-temperature iron contact; high heat deforms rubber outline and melts surface coating.
3. All 3D puff patches: completely ban front ironing operation to prevent foam melting collapse.
4. Iron-on leftover loose edge repair: low heat only with cotton spacer cloth between iron and patch.

Long-Term Storage Tips for Unused Spare Patches

1. Lay all loose patches flat inside dry sealed storage box, avoid folded stacking and heavy object compression (critical for 3D puff).
2. Keep storage environment dry and cool; damp humid space leads to iron glue deterioration and thread mildew.
3. Separate velcro patches with hook side inward to prevent hooking and damaging adjacent patch surfaces.

Common Improper Care Mistakes & Remedial Solutions

1. Use bleach laundry for colored patch clothes → Remedy: Rinse residual chemical thoroughly with plenty of cold water immediately to slow further fading.
2. Dry puff patch clothes in high heat dryer → Remedy: Lay deformed puff flat with heavy book compression for 1~2 days to slightly recover shape.
3. Forget remove velcro before laundry leading hook caught fabric → Remedy: Trim pulled loose threads gently and clean hook lint fully afterwards.

Final Summary Core Care Rule

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