LAUNDRY TIPS

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.

ITEM

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

Blankets

Pretreat spots and stains. Select water temperature, cycle, and

(electric or woolen)

time according to the type of blanket being washed. Two rinses

 

may be necessary. Check care label to see if manufacturer

 

recommends machine washing.

 

 

Curtains, drapes,

Wash small loads. Crowding may cause wrinkling. Replace

slipcovers

slipcovers while still slightly damp. They will dry to fit tightly.

 

NOTE: Sun-damaged curtains and draperies will tear whether

 

hand or machine washed.

Diapers

When using chlorine bleach for soaking, add extra detergent to the

 

load. Avoid overuse of fabric softeners – absorbency will be

 

reduced.

 

 

Elastic, spandex

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.

 

 

Flame-retardant

Items will be clearly labeled as flame-retardant. Follow

clothing

manufacturer’s instructions to retain flame-retardant qualities.

 

 

Knits, washable

Knits are comfortable to wear because they stretch. However, this

 

means that knits are more likely to be stretched and damaged

 

when washed (especially bulky knits). Knits made of synthetic

 

fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic tend to keep their

 

original shape more than knits made of cotton or ramie.

 

 

Pillows, stuffed

Washing feather pillows is not recommended unless they will be

toys

dried in a dryer.

 

 

Plastic, rubber

Treat as delicate items. Wash in warm water. Wash small items in

items

a mesh bag.

 

 

Quilts, bedspreads

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.

 

 

Scatter rugs

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.

 

 

Snowsuits, jackets

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.

 

 

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Whirlpool LXR9245EQ0 warranty Washing special-care items, Care Instructions