Washing special-care items
Most garments and household 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.
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Blankets
(electric or woollen)
Curtains, drapes, slipcovers
Diapers
Elastic, spandex
Flame-retardant clothing
Knits
Pillows, stuffed toys
Plastic, rubber items
Quilts, bedspreads
Scatter rugs
Snowsuits, jackets
CARE INSTRUCTIONS | I | |
Pretreat spots and stains. Select water temperature, cycle, and |
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time according to the type of blanket being washed. Two rinses |
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may be necessary. Check care label to see if manufacturer |
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recommends | machine washing. |
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Wash small loads. Crowding may cause wrinkling. Replace |
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slipcovers while still slightly damp. They will dry to fit tightly. |
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NOTE: |
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hand or machine washed. |
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When using chlorine bleach for soaking, add extra detergent to |
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the load. Avoid overuse of fabric softeners - absorbency will be |
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reduced. |
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Elastic picks up oil from the body. Oil can damage elastic. Wash |
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often to reduce the damage. Use warm water and sufficient |
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detergent to remove oils. Do not use chlorine bleach. |
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Items will be clearly labeled as |
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manufacturer’s | instructions to retain | I |
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 cotton
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
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 mav be necessarv.
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