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Better Laundry
Better Laundry
With automatic washers, dryers, modern sweats, cotton/ramie knits) from lint-takers
detergents, and the durable fabrics of today, (synthetic blends, smooth, dark or wrinkle-free
If you read the washing clothes should be easy. But, despite fabrics).
garment care these advantages, laundry problems occur. Separate the lightly soiled from the heavily
label and know Sometimes, doing the wrong thing in laundry soiled.
basic laundering and stain removal can ruin clothes. This fact Always keep pesticide-soiled clothing separate
sheet will explain the basic laundering steps that from family laundry before and during washing.
steps, you can
will help you get better laundry results after you Do not put too many clothes in one wash load.
get better laun- have read the garment care label for its directions. Free movement of the clothes during agitation
dry results. in washing is needed for best cleaning.
Pretreat stains of washable clothes;
take drycleanable items to the cleaner Choose washer settings
Soak protein stains in cold water (milk, egg, CycleAdjust according to type of load
soybean formula, ice cream, blood and meat white cotton, synthetic, permanent-press or
juice, or any food stain that contains these wrinkle-free items, knits, delicates
ingredients). Water levelAdjust according to amount of
Pretreat oily collar soil, grease, or oil stains clothing, except use highest level for all loads of
with liquid detergent or pretreatment spray. pesticide-soiled clothes.
Do not pretreat tannin stains (cola drinks, TimeWith newer washers, wash time is set
coffee, tea, and fruit juice) with soap. Soap will by the cycle chosen. A 10-12 minute wash cycle
cause these stains to set and become permanent. is needed for regular loads; 8-9 minutes for
Dye stains, such as felt tip marker, require use synthetics and knits; 3-4 minutes for delicate
of bleach, if item is washable, white, or colorfast. items and washable wools.
For combination food stains or difficult stains AgitationAgain, this is set by the cycle.
such as chewing gum, pencil, etc., consult a stain Rigorous agitation helps remove heavy soils.
removal guide. Slower speeds are used for delicate, lightly
Do not treat rust-colored stains with bleach; soiled items. Excess agitation causes wool
use rust remover. shrinkage.
. . . and justice for all Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8
The Iowa Cooperative Extension Services programs and policies and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of
are consistent with pertinent federal and state laws and regulations Agriculture. Nolan R. Hartwig, interim director, Cooperative
on nondiscrimination. Many materials can be made available in Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and
alternative formats for ADA clients. Technology, Ames, Iowa.