Home >> Do-It-Yourself >> Household Tips for Laundry

Household Tips for Laundry

Start by finding the internationaltextile-care label, which is usually sewnto an inside seam of a garment. Checkthe symbols against the chart shownopposite and Mow them closely. If thegarment does not have detailedinstructions, establish what type offabric it is made from and then followthe directions given below.

Fabric-cleaning guide

Acetate: dry clean unless the label says'hand-washable'. In this case, pre-treatstains with a pre-wash stain remover,and wash using a mild liquid detergentand warm water. Rinse and dry awayfrom direct hear.

Acrylic: acrylic garments are bestcleaned inside-out. Pre-treat stains,then either hand wash in a mild liquiddetergent and warm water or in amachine on the low-temperature'synthetics' cycle. Dry flat.

Cotton: this is strong and can bewashed at higher temperatures thansynthetics. lion when still slightlydamp, using a hot iron on a 'steam'setting or spray starch for the bestresults. White cotton can be brightenedby soaking in a mild bleach solution,but you must rinse it thoroughly.

Linen: linen can he dry cleaned,machine washed or hand-laundered.Iron on a hot setting while still damp.While linen can be bleached by soaking briefly in a mild bleach solution, then rinsing thoroughly.

Apply a neat biological detergent tomarks on garments before placing them in awashing machine.

Lycra/Spandex: use warm water and amild detergent for hand washing or setthe machine to the low-temperature'synthetics' cycle. Avoid washing whiteLycra with coloured garments andnever use bleach, as this will perish thefibres. Drip dry or place in a tumbledoer on a low setting. Iron while dampon a low setting.

Nylon: del ica tes are best washed byhand or in a protective mesh bag in awashing machine. In a machine, usethe 'synthetics' cycle and a biologicaldetergent. Ler the garments drip dry, ortumble dry on a low setting. Brightennylon net curtains by washing in aproprietary nylon-whitener. For bestresults, rinse the nets first to removeloose dirt and dust, then wash followingthe manufacturer's instructions.Polyester: hand or machine washpolyester garments in warm water or ona warns setting, and rumble dry on a lowsetting. Iron on a moderate setting witha water-spray mist.

Silk: dyes used to colour silk can run, sodry clean if in doubt. Otherwise, handwash items separately in warm, soapywater. Gently squeeze out excessmoisture but do not wring. Dry awayfrom direct heat and iron while damp.Wool: this must never he washed in hot water as it will shrink, so eitherdry clean or wash carefully by hand.

Washing awkward or delicate itemsYou can wash large, bulky items such ascurtains, drapes, blankets and quilts byhand in a bath or a large sink if thelabel says that they are washable.

Lingerie is best washed by hand, butyou can wash several pairs of tights orstockings (pantyhose) in the washingmachine by placing them its a pillowcase tied at the open end.

Trainers and soft toys made withsynthetic fabrics can be machinewashed if the label recommends it.

WASHING GUIDELINES

Follow the cleaning guidelines onthe international care-guide labelinside the garment (see symbol chart).

• Sort washing into 'Whites' and 'Coloureds', and wash each bundleseparately to avoid problems withcolours running.

• Always check that pockets ofgarments are empty before putting thegarments in a washing machine.et Treat heavy soiling with neat liquiddetergent before washing.

• Select the correct machineproimunme for the type of wash required.

• Only use the recommended dose ofdetergent for each wash.

• Rinse garments thoroughly afterhand washing.

• Regularly remove fluff and debrisfrom both washing-machine and tumble-drier filters.

• Secure zips (zippers) and fasteningsbefore washing to prevent them fromsnagging other garments.

Drying garments

There are 3 basic methods to use forremoving the moisture from washedclothes. The first is spits drying, whichis usually combined with the wash cycleon washing machines. 'Spin-only'programmes are useful for items thathave been hand washed.

Tumble drying uses a lot ofelectricity, so remove as much water aspossible from the items first. It is viralto choose the correct setting on atumble drier for the type of fabric, asexcessive heat can damage fibrescausing them to shrink, crease or melt.If in doubt, always refer to theinstruction manual.

Line drying is the most natural andeconomic way of drying clothes. Youcan stretch an indoor clothes' lineacross the laundry room or, if space islimited, across the bath.

Drying different items

Sweaters: a synthetic or wool swearercan be dried successfully from a clothes'line by threading a pair of old tights(pantyhose) through the armholes andpegging them at the wrist and neckholes to support the garment. Drydelicate sweaters or shawls flat over arack suspended over a bath or sink.T-shirts: the cotton knit of T-shirtswill tend to pull in different directions,so either peg from the bottom or placeon a hanger to dry.

Trousers: hang trousers from the turn-ups or hems on the inside legs, or drapeover trouser hangers before hanging onthe line.

Pleated skirts: clip pleats together withclothes pegs (pins).

DRYING TIPS

• Do nor leave damp garments in awashing machine or drier as they willsoon start to smell musty and will haveto he rinsed again to freshen them up.

• Do not leave a tumble drier runningfor longer than required, as this wasteselectricity, as well as 'setting' creases.

• Overloading a rumble drier will leadto patchy drying. Leave a gap at theof the drum to allow the clothes tomove about freely.

• The action of tumble drying cancause static to build up, so use a fabricconditioner with each

• Remove fufl from the tumble-drierfilter after each use, or it will reducethe amount of water vapour that canescape in subsequent cycles.

Other Do It Yourself Articles:

| Austrian Blind | Buffet Party | Buying Plants | Ceiling Decorating | Choose Paint Brush | Choosing Floor Coverings | Choosing Your Own Flower Arrangements | Choosing Landscaping Plants | Choosing Themes | Christmas Decoration Ideas | Cleaning Tip | Container Gardening Ideas | Cooking Methods and Choice of Nuts | Cooking Tip | Cornice Window Treatments | Covering Floors | Cusion Materials | Daily Household Chores | Decorating Rooms | Decorative Art Painting Technique | Decoupage Equipment | Decoupage Ideas | Dinner Table Etiquette | Display Lighting | Diy Soft Furnishing Hot Tips | Do It Yourself Wood Storage | Door Repair | Double Glazing Windows | Draught Proof Door | Dried Fruit Loaf | Dusting Tips | Easy Cushion Embellishments | Emergency and First Aid | Fabric Repair Holes | First Aid Survival Guide | Fish Varieties | Fitting Shelves in an Alcove | Fixing Electric Fan | Flooring Repair | Floral Displays For The Home | Flower Arrangement Center Piece | Flower Arranging | Flower Arranging Tips | Flower Bathroom Decor | Flower Decorating | Flower Drying | Flower Drying Equipment | Food Safety Guidelines | Free Standing Shelving | Fresh Flower Arrangement | Fruit Preparing | Garden Floor Plan Designs | Garden Gravel | Gardening Finishing Touches | Garden Lighting Ideas | Garden {aving | Gilding Equipment | Gilding Techniques | Grass Alternatives | Handsewing | Hanging Doors | Hanging Picture Frames | Picture Hanging | Healthy Diet Plan | Home Appliance Repair | Home Improvement Budget | Home Interior Decorating | Home Ligting | Homemade Christmas Decorations | Home Safety Awareness | Home Safety Checklist | Home Security | House Cleaning Tips | Household Tips for Laundry | Housekeeping Tips | How to Make Bed Linen | How to Make a Wreath | How to Make Icing | Herbs and Spices | How to Decorate a Table | Candle Decorating | Decorating Tip | House Plant Care | How Do I Pick A Good Vacuum Cleaner | How Do You Decorate a China | How to Increase Livable Space | How to Antique Furniture | How to Build a Pergola | How to Decorate Glass Ornaments | How to Decorate Lamp Shades | How to Decorate My Home | How to Dress a Bed | How to Build a Storage Box | How to Choose Ceramic Tile | Lawn and Garden Care | How to Build a Closet | How to Create a Beautiful Outdoor | How to Install Cabinet Hinge | Patio Ideas | Window Dressing | Dried Flower Arranging | Using Herbs | Kitchen Gardening | How to Install Vinyl Floor | Create More Space in the Home | Stain Removal | Home Insulation | How to Fit a Door | How to Fit Dado Rail Upstairs | How to Make Curtain Valences | How to Make Roman Blinds | How to Organize Space | How to Plan a Party | How to Prepare to Paint House | How to Prune Trees | How to Recycle | How to Sew a Box Cushion | How to Use a Paint Brush | How to Use Fresh Ingredient | Hydroculture | Ideas On How To Set Up Contract For Home Improvement | Illness and Child Care | Indoor Plant Display | Installing Crown Moulding | Home and Interior Garden | Ironing Tips | Kitchen Lighting | Kitchen Organize Tips | Landscape Garden Design | Last Day Before Holiday | Lawn Weed Control | Laying a Foam Backed Carpet | Laying a Woven Carpet | Laying Carpet on Stairs | Laying Floor Tiles | Laying Hardwood Flooring | Laying Vinyl Tile | Low Maintenance Plants | Hanging Mirror | How to Make Curtain | Textile Patching | Moving House | Napkin Folds | Outdoor Safety | Paint Effects | Painting Doors | Wallpapering Tips | Paperhanging Tools and Equipment | Party Planning Ideas | Pet Safety | Planning Your Garden | Plant Decoration | Plant Potting | Plaster Wall Repair | Preparing For Paperhanging | Preparing Garden Soil | Preparing Surfaces For Covering | Preparing Wood Floors | Proper Table Setting | Hanging Wallpaper Border | Removing Old Finishes | Repairing Furniture | Household Appliance Repair | Rose Center Piece Flower Arrangement | Save Energy at Home | Sesame Seed Bread | Soft Furnishing | Soft Furnishing Hot Tips | Soft Furnishing Sewing | Solid Wood Floor Installation | Stamping Equipment | Stamp Making | Stem Cutting | Stencilling Equipment | Storage Organize | Storage Shelving | Stripping Old Wall Coverings | Table Flower Decorations | Tiling a Wall | Tiling Tools | Tools and Equipment for Furnishings | Type of Houseplant | Using Colour Pattern and Texture | Using Cushions | Wall Decorating Ideas | Wallfixings | Wallpainting Ideas | Wallpapering Ceilings | Wallpapering Corners | Wallpapering Stairwells | Wall Repair | Watering Plants | Well Equipped Kitchen | Window Dressing Ideas | Window Repair | Wood Embellishment | How to Use a Sewing Machine | How to doWall Tiling | How to Install a Door | How to Fit a Curtain Pole | How to Fold a Napkin | How to Make A Round Bolster Cushion | How to Make A Stencil | How to Make Couch Cushion Covers | How to Make a Table Cloth