Washing special-care items

Most garments and househokt textiles have care labels with laundering instructions. Always follow care label directions when they are available. Below are general washing instruc- tions for some special washables.

ITEM

Blankets

(electric or woolen)

Curtains, drapes, slipcovers

Diapers

Elastic, spandex

Flame-retardant clothing

Knits

Piiiows, stuffed toys

Plastic, rubber items

Quiits, bedspreads

Scatter rugs

Snowsuits, jackets

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Pretreat spots and stains. Select water temperature, cycle, and time according to the type of bhnket being washed. An extra rinse may be necessary (see page 7 for rinse and spin information). Check care label to see if manufacturer recommends machine washing.

Wash small loads. Crowding may cause wrinkling. Replace slipcovers while still slightly damp. They will dry to M tightly.

NOTE: Sun-damaged curtains and draperies will tear whether hand or machine washed.

When using chlorine bleach for soaking, add extra detergent to the load. Avoid overuse of fabric softeners - absorbency will be reduced.

Elastic picks up oil from the body. Oil can damage elastic. Wash often to reduce the damage. Use warm water and sufficient detergent to remove oils. Do not use chlorine bleach.

Items will be clearly labeled as flame-retardant. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to retain flame-retardant qualities.

Knits are comfortable to wear because they stretch. However, this means that knits are more likely to be stretched and dam- aged when washed (especially bulky knits). Knits made of synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic tend to keep their original shape more than a knit made of wtton

or ramie.

Washing feather pillows is not recommended unless they will be dried in a dryer.

Treat as delicate items. Wash in warm water. Wash small items in a mesh bag.

Do not wash cotton-filled comforters unless they are quilted or stitched. Tucked cotton batting tends to slip and become lumpy. An extra rinse may be necessary.

Shake or vacuum rugs to remove loose dirt. Wash more than one rug at a time. If washing only one rug, add bath towels to balance the load.

Wash only one or two items at a time. You may need to stop the washer occasionally to press air from the items being washed. An extra rinse may be necessary.