Before Washing . . .

Prepare Wash Load

Empty Pockets and Cuffs

Make sure all pockets are empty and turn them inside out. One bobby pin, metal or plastic toy, nail or sharp object in a load can catch laundry and cause tears.

Facial tissue left in a pocket will produce extreme “lint”. A crayon or lipstick in a wash load may cause stains that cannot be removed. Roll down cuffs and shake out grass, sand, and gravel.

Mend Rips and Tears

Little holes can become bigger in the washer. Mend holes and tears before placing garments in the washer.

Close Zipper and Fasten Hooks

These can catch on garments in a wash load and tear them. Tie belts and sashes so they won’t wind around clothes.

Remove Nonwashable Trim

Check for colorfastness by squeezing a portion of garment in warm or hot sudsy water. If the color bleeds or runs, wash the item separately in cold water.

Sort

Proper sorting is easy if you follow a few guidelines:

1. Sort by Color

WhitesDarks

LightsNon-Colorfast

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2. Sort by Fabric and Construction

Cottons and

Permanent

Linens

Press

Synthetics,

Delicates

Blends & Poly Knits

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3. Sort by Care Label

ColdWarm

Hot

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4.Sort By Type and Amount of Soil

Children’s play clothes, as well as work clothes, will need extra treatment. Lightly soiled clothes can become dingy if washed with heavily soiled items.

5.Sort Lint “Shedders” From Lint “Receivers” Some fabrics attract lint and should not be washed with lint-shedding loads. Lint shedders are cottons, terry towels, chenille bedspreads, rugs, and clothes which have been heavily bleached.

Lint receivers are synthetics, permanent or durable press, knits (including socks), corduroy, and other smooth fabrics.

Pretreat

Pretreat shirt collars and cuffs with a pre-wash product or liquid detergent when placing them in the washer. Before washing, treat special stains with bar soap, liquid detergent or a paste of water and granular detergent. Use a pretreat soil and stain remover.

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