Washing tips

Stain removal

The most common stains will disappear during the wash. If they are particularly stubborn, soak the garment in water and rub a little detergent onto the stain before putting it in the washer-dryer.

Greasy marks (especially old ones) need treating with a stain- remover. Be careful not to mark the fabric with remover.

Pre-treatment for awkward stains

-Ink: ball point/felt tip; Put a few drops of nail varnish remover or surgical spirit onto a piece of cotton wool and dab the stain. Wash at 90°C (NB.This is only suitable for colourfast cottons)

-Tar and oil; Scrape off any thick tar or oil on the surface. Soften the remainder with margarine or butter and wipe away with a clean cloth. Treat any residual stain with turpentine, then wash according to the fabric

-Wax; Scrape off, then put the stained garment between two pieces of blotting paper and press with a hot iron. Dab the stain immediately with cotton wool dipped in turpentine

-Chewing gum; Apply nail varnish remover to the gum, then remove it carefully

-Lipstick; Pretreat with a liquid detergent using the dosing ball, rub vigorously and rinse before washing

-Grass; Soak in a warm washing solution using a biological washing product, then wash according to the fabric. Alternatively, saturate the stain with white methylated spirit. Rinse and wash normally

-Paint:Water based latex, acrylic and school paints, emulsion paints; Treat stains while still wet. Rinse thoroughly under running water to flush out the paint, then wash according to the fabric.

Oil based paint/varnish; Sponge with white spirit or paint brush cleaner before washing in the normal way.

Do not exceed the recommended weights shown in the table

For best washing results, do not exceed the recommended weights shown in the table; the weights shown refer to dry laundry.

What not to wash in your appliance?

-Torn, frayed or unhemmed items; in order to wash items of this kind, wrap them in a linen bag to prevent them from tearing during the wash.

-Dark coloured items with white items. Dark items should be washed separately.

Curtains

Curtains tend to crease badly.Try this washing hint to prevent creases: fold the curtains carefully and place in a pillow case or loose mesh bag; wash separately ensuring that the weight is no more than a half wash load.

Quilts, tennis shoes and wind-cheaters

Contrary to common belief, goose or duck down quilts and wind-cheaters, can in fact be machine washed, provided the instructions shown on the label are followed carefully. Remember however to load no more than 2-3 kg of laundry and to repeat the rinse cycle once or twice following with a gentle spin. In the case of tennis shoes, wipe off mud and then machine wash with denims or heavy fabrics (but not white fabrics).

Maximum dry laundry load

heavy fabrics maximum 5 kg delicate fabrics maximum 2 kg pure new wool maximum 1 kg mixed loads maximum 2,5 kg

How heavy is your laundry?

1 sheet 400-500 g

1 pillow case 150-200 g

1 table cloth 400-500 g

1 bathrobe 900-1200 g

1 bathroom towel150-250 g