Filter
Top Products
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
instructions for some special washables.
ITEM
Blankets
(electric or woolen)
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Pretreat spots and stains. Select water temperature, cycle, and
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,
slipcovers
Wash small loads. Crowding may cause wrinkling. Replace
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
Flame-retardant
clothing
Knits
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.
Items will be clearly labeled as flame-retardant. Follow
manufacturer’s instructions to retain flame-retardant qualities.
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 toys
Washing feather pillows is not recommended unless they will
be dried in a dryer.
Plastic, rubber items
Quilts, bedspreads
Scatter rugs
Treat as delicate items. Wash in warm water. Wash small items
in a mesh bag.
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.
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.
19