Getting Started
Understanding Fabric Care Labels
Garment labels contain washing/drying instructions expressed in small symbols. Learn the symbols on this table; they'll help you to obtain better wash results, treat your clothes properly, and get a better performance from your machine.
Machine Wash
Cycle
Normal/ | Permanent Press/ | Delicate/ | Hand wash | Do not wash | Do not wring |
Cotton Heavy Duty | wrinkle resistant | Gentle |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Water Temp.
Hot | Warm | Cold/Cool |
(50oC/120oF) | (40oC/105oF) | (30oC/85oF) |
Tumble
Dry
Dry | Normal/ | Permt Press/ | Delicate/ | Do not | Do not dry |
| Cotton Heavy Duty | wrinkle resistant | Gentle | tumble dry |
|
Special
Instructions
Line dry/ | Drip dry | Dry flat | In the shade |
hang to dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bleach
Symbols
Any bleach | Only | Do not bleach |
(when needed) | (when needed) |
|
"Look! Always check the labels on your clothing. They will help you select the right wash program, temperature, laundry aids and more."
Stain Removal Chart
Always check the care labels before treating a stain, and check the fabric for colorfastness by testing stain remover on an inside seam.
Stain | Treatment |
|
|
Adhesive tape, chewing gum, rubber | Apply ice. Scrape off excess. Place stain face down on paper towels. Saturate with prewash stain remover or nonflammable dry |
cement | cleaning fluid. |
Baby formula, dairy products, | Use product containing enzymes to pretreat or soak stains. Soak for 30 minutes or more. Wash. |
Beverages (coffee, tea, soda) | Pretreat stain. Wash using cold water and bleach safe or fabric. |
Blood | Rinse w/cold water. Rub w/bar soap or pretreat or soak with product containing enzymes. Wash using fabric safe bleach. |
Candle wax, crayon | Scrape off surface wax. Place stain face down between paper towels. Press with warm iron until wax is absorbed. Replace |
| paper towels frequently. Treat remaining stain with prewash stain remover or nonflammable dry cleaning fluid. Hand wash to |
| remove solvent. Wash using bleach safe for fabric. |
Chocolate, grass, mustard, tomato | Pretreat or soak in warm water using product containing enzymes. Wash using bleach safe for fabric. |
Collar or cuff soil, cosmetics | Pretreat with prewash stain remover or rub with bar of soap. |
Dye transfer on white fabric | Use packaged color remover. Wash using bleach safe for fabric. |
Grease, oil, tar (butter, fats, salad | Scrape residue from fabric. Pretreat. Wash using hottest water safe for fabric. For heavy stains and tar, apply nonflammable |
dressing, cooking oils, car grease, | dry cleaning fluid to back of stain. Replace towels under stain frequently. Rinse THOROUGHLY. Wash using hottest water safe |
motor oils) | for fabric. |
Ink | Some inks may be impossible to remove. Washing may set some inks. Use prewash stain remover, denatured alcohol or |
| nonflammable dry cleaning fluid. |
Mildew, scorch | May be impossible. Wash with chlorine bleach if safe for fabric, or soak in oxygen bleach and hot water before washing. |
Mud | Brush off dry mud. Pretreat or soak with product containing enzymes. |
Nail polish | May be impossible. Place stain face down on paper towels. Apply nail polish remover to back of stain. Repeat, replacing paper |
| towels frequently. Do not use on acetate fabrics. |
Paint, varnish | WATER BASED: Rinse fabric in cool water while stain is wet. Wash. Once paint is dry, it cannot be removed. OIL BASED AND |
| VARNISH: Use solvent recommended on can label. Rinse THOROUGHLY before washing. |
Perspiration | Use |
Rust, brown or yellow discoloration | SPOTS: use rust remover safe for fabric. DISCOLORATION OF ENTIRE LOAD: use phosphate detergent and |
| bleach. |
11