Laundry 101
Back To Basics
Prepare the Laundry
- Turn down pant and shirt cuffs and brush away lint and dirt.
- Remove pins, belts and buckles, and open all snaps.
- Tie strings together.
- Check pockets for non-washables such as pens and candy.
Sort the Laundry
- Sort items by fabric, weight and color.
- Keep heavy dirt away from light dirt.
- Separate lint-givers from lint-takers.
Pre-Spot
Remember to lest a small inconspicuous area on the fabric for colorfastness before you use any spotters Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Many good pre-spotter products are available today. Launder soon after spotting to prevent the spot from becoming a stain.
- Use a quality spotter for the type of stain you are trying to remove.
Laundry additives
- Using a safe additive to your laundry detergent will help it work better without using bleach.
- OxiClean and Clorox 2 are our favorite choices.
Liquid Bleach
Do's
- Read the directions on the container of bleach.
- Check the labels of the items you are washing.
- Test the bleach if you are not sure.
- Clorox liquid bleach is our favorite brand.
Don’ts
- Never allow the bleach to directly contact the fabric.
- Never use more bleach than directed. It will damage your fabric.
- Never use chlorine bleach with ammonia.
All Fabric Oxygen Bleach
- This is a mild form of bleach that works well on delicate fabrics and those requiring gentle care. This bleach can be used on all fabrics, as long as the manufacturer's care tag does not say "No Bleach."
- Remember – Less Is more.
- Oxi-Clean is our favorite choice.
Review Detergent Basics
- Detergent requirements will vary load to load, so be sure to read the clothing labels, and read the detergent box for recommendations.
- Measure detergent carefully. Remember – Less is more.
Load the Washer
- Place a sorted pile in the washer – No Stuffing Or Cramming.
- Load loosely-and-evenly.
Select Cycle and Water Temperature
- Follow the recommendations for your washer and you fabric.
- In general, hot is best with whites and very dirty items.
- Cold is best for darks and bright colors that might run.
- Warm will work for everything else.
Start the Washer and Keep Track of Time
- To prevent wrinkles, remove clothes as soon as possible after the wash has been completed.
Drying
- Again, check for drying requirements.
- Set appropriate cycle.
At the End
- Be careful – metal zippers, buttons, and other decorations can be hot after a session in the dryer.
- Remove clothes as soon as the dry-cycle ends, fold, hang or press.
- Hand, fold,and put away items.