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HARD WATER—DO YOU HAVE IT?
Stain Removal Hint—Using Chlorine Bleach for White and Bleachable Fabrics
Mix 1/4 cup (60 ml) chlorine bleach with one gallon (3.8 liters) of cool
water—approximately 80°F. (27°C.)—in a sink or pan. Soak stained area
for 5 minutes and launder in washer.
The Case of the “Invisible” Stain
Food or cooking oils on your synthetic garments
may cause stains which are virtually invisible and
which you may not notice as you put your clothes
into the washer.
If these stains are not completely removed in the
wash, the oily spots may pick up dirt from the wash
water. Then they will become very visible and you
may think they were caused by the wash cycle itself.
Before you can decide what to do about hard
water, you need to know if you have it and, if so,
how hard it is.
• If you live in a municipal area, contact your
water company.
• If you live in a rural area, or in some suburban areas,
contact your county agent.
The answer will be “you have ‘so many grains’ per
gallon (3.8 liters)” which means:
0 to 3 grains per gallon (3.8 liters)—SOFT
4 to 10 grains—HARD
11 to 19 grains—VERY HARD
20 grains and over—EXTREMELY HARD
If your water is SOFT, you have no problem.
But, if you have more than 10 grains, you will need to
soften your water with either…
1. An installed water softener in your home, or
2. The use of a packaged water softener.
Once These Spots Become Visible, How Can You Remove Them?
• Rub in undiluted liquid detergent and let stand 30 minutes.
• Rewash using hottest water the fabric can stand.
How Can You Prevent These “After-You-Wash” Stains?
• Increase the amount of detergent normally used.
• Increase water temperature where fabric will permit.
• Wash synthetic garments more often.
(continued next page)
HOW TO REMOVE STAINS
1. Try to remove stains as soon as possible.
The fresher the stain, the easier it is to remove.
2. Before attempting to remove any stain, take
these steps:
• Find the fabric and the finish in the chart on the
next page, and use only recommended methods.
• Check the care label instructions that came with
the garment.
• Test stain removal product on a hidden
inside seam or on a sample of the material.
• Avoid use of hot water on unknown stains.
It can set some stains.
3. Follow stain removal with a thorough rinsing.
4. Wash with recommended amount of detergent.
Other Laundry Products Hard Water Stain Removal