Cotton, a natural, breathable fabric, combines well with polyester, a material known for its durability and wrinkle resistance. Unlike many delicate fabrics, such as wool and silk, cotton-polyester blends don't require much special care. The fabrics resist heat, and you can wash and dry garments at almost any temperature without worrying about damage or shrinkage. If your or your kids have cotton-polyester blend garments that are stained, you'll need to treat the stains before laundering.

Blot up liquid stains with a damp towel as soon as possible after they happen. By acting quickly, you can remove most of a stain before it has a chance to set.

Apply a stain-removal product directly to stains, if desired. The ideal product to use depends on the type of stain on the garment. Don't use bleach to get rid of stains. Bleach may weaken cotton fibers and cause polyester to turn yellow or deteriorate.

Place the cotton-polyester blend garment in the washing machine with other clothes of similar colors. Avoid washing brightly colored clothes together with white ones. Colored clothes may bleed and transfer dye to white garments.

Launder the garment in warm water on the normal cycle of the washing machine. When the cycle is complete, check for stains. If the stain hasn't faded, wash the garment again, or try a different stain removal method. Do not dry the garment before removing the stain; dryer heat may permanently set stains, making them impossible to remove.

Dry the garment on any heat setting once stains have been removed, or allow it to air dry.