The ability for allelastic strips to be stretched out and bounce back is provided by either thelatex or spandex that is built into it. These expanding materials are held inplace by nylon or other cloth material.
The Inner Workings of Elastic Strips
The latex or spandexis the stretchable component inside the elastic strips. This component needs tobe woven into the other non-stretchable materials inside the strips. It is theweave that makes it possible for the latex to expand and contract while it interactswith the non-stretchable material that is present. Without this special weavingbeing utilized by the manufacturers of the elastic strips, their ability tostretch out and return would be severely inhibited.
Increasing the Longevity of the Elastic Strips Present in yourGarments
Both the latex andspandex in the elastic strips that are used today can last for years, but ifthey are not properlycared for, they can lose their ability to remainflexible. It all depends on how the person treats the garments when they areworn and washed.
The most damagingthing a person can do to a garment that has elastic strips is to add bleachwhen washing the item. Bleach is a basic component, which means it has a pHgreater than 7. The bleach dries out the latex or spandex inhibiting itsability to bounce back once it has been stretched out. Many people use bleachwhen washing their clothes, especially white undergarments, but this willdamage the latex or spandex that is inside the elastic waistband. Sometimesbleach is necessary for stains, but it should be used sparingly to help extendthe life of your elastics.
Another factor thatcan diminish the lifespan of your elastics is exposing them to heat. It is bestto keep your elastics out of they dryer, but even hanging them out in the suncan cause damage. It is best to hang the clothing with the elastic partstowards the ground and away from the direct sunlight. If you must use a dryer,keep it on the low heat setting. The clothing will take longer to dry, but itwill help keep the bounce in your elastics.
When it’s Time to Replace the Elastic Strips in your Garments
After so many washes,people start to notice the elastic in their clothing does not bounce back as itonce did. The elastic material might even break. This happens when it becomestoo dried out, and as of now, there is no known way to revitalize the elasticonce it gets to this point. Unless you want to wear the now saggy clothes, itis time to replace the elastic strips. If you do not want to replace the strips,you can throw the item out and buy a new one, but the easiest thing to do istake proper care of your clothing and the elastics inside of them. This wayyour elastics last longer, and you can keep enjoying your clothes.
FAQs
Turn the heat down
Use a gentle detergent and keep elastic away from chemicals like chlorine and bleach, as they will also reduce its lifespan. Don't put stretchy garments in the tumble drier for the same reason – the heat will damage the fibres.
How does elastic work? ›
Elasticity, the Chemistry Angle. We've learned that elastic stretches and returns to its original shape because it contains fibers of rubber or rubber-like material.
What causes elastic to go bad? ›
Most elastomers undergo rubber degradation over time and the most common rubber deterioration causes are exposure to light, oxygen (ozone) and heat.
How do you keep elastic from unraveling? ›
One easy way to stop elastic from fraying during sewing is to sew it to the fabric with a zigzag stitch. This will secure the elastic and prevent it from fraying with multiple stretches. You don't necessarily need a machine to do this, either! You can also create the same outcome by hand.
How long will elastic last? ›
Both the latex and spandex in the elastic strips that are used today can last for years, but if they are not properly cared for, they can lose their ability to remain flexible. It all depends on how the person treats the garments when they are worn and washed.
How do you stretch elastic permanently? ›
Iron the elastic while pulling and stretching it. The heat from the iron will break down the elasticity of the material and create a permanent stretch of the elastic.
What makes elastic stretchy? ›
Rubber bands are stretchy because of entropy, which is a state of disorder. When a rubber band is at rest, rubber molecules are tangled in a random mess, meaning they have high entropy. When you stretch it, the disordered molecules straighten, meaning they have less entropy.
How do you keep elastic from dry rotting? ›
To prevent this, it is important to follow the care instructions on the clothing label, including washing in cold water, using mild detergents, and avoiding exposure to excessive heat and sunlight.
What breaks elastic bands? ›
That said, if you have orange, lemon, or grapefruit essential oils on hand, a few drops on the wound rubber band can help it break apart in a snap. We should note: Make sure to drop the oil on the rubber band itself, not on your skin or hair.
Does heat ruin elastic? ›
Elastics – Keep bathing suits, shapeware and other spandex/elastic items out of the dryer to preserve their elasticity. The tumbling and heat can tangle, stretch and destroy the materials.
To shrink elastic waistband, there are two primary methods that include subjecting the elastic band to heat or sewing it to tighten the stretch. When it comes to shrinking elastic waistbands without sewing, apply heat either using regular iron, steam iron or a heating torch is an alternate option.
How do I know if elastic is working? ›
Verify elasticsearch is running by typing $ smarts/bin/sm_service show. 2. Verify elasticsearch is serving requests from a browser on the same machine in Windows or using a tool like curl on Linux. A page specific to the browser will appear.
Does dryer ruin elastic? ›
You should never put bras, gym clothes, and swimwear in the clothes dryer. Spandex and other elastic materials are great for wearing comfort, but they often don't do that well in a dryer. The high temperatures can damage the material, breaking it down and ruining the shape of your clothes.
Why does elastic dry rot? ›
The main cause of elastic in clothing going brittle is exposure to heat, light, and moisture over time. These factors can cause the rubber or synthetic fibers in the elastic to break down and lose their elasticity, leading to cracking, stiffening, and eventual disintegration.
Does elastic have a shelf life? ›
All elastic has an expiration date, so just make sure that it's not brittle before you start sewing it.
Both the latex andspandex in the elastic strips that are used today can last for years, but ifthey are not properlycared for, they can lose their ability to remainflexible. It all depends on how the person treats the garments when they areworn and washed.