Clothing Care Basics

1. Clothing Care Basics Chapter 14

2. Have you ever washed something and the stain didn’t come out??? • Pulled on a pair of jeans and found a tear in the seam???

3. Routine Care • A little knowledge and a few good habits help you to take care of your wardrobe • One positive effect is to feel more confident • Daily clothing care routine helps you make better use of time • Set aside times to launder, hand wash, iron and med

4. Clothing care can also save you oney • Improper care causes garments not to last long • Learning to remove spots and stains yourself saves on cleaning bills

5. Examine Garments • Take a few seconds to check your clothes • Need laundered? • Soil or stains on clothes? • If allow clothes to get too dirty, its harder to get them clean

6. Place clothes that need to be washed in a location for dirty clothes • If dry cleanable take them ASAP • If not dirty, freshen the clothing • Hang woven garments (air can circulate) • Removes odors • Knitted garment can be hung over chair

7. Remove dust, lint, animal hair gently brush the garment • Use a lint brush • Shoes should be cleaned and put away • Damp shoes should air dry

8. Stain Removal • Longer a stain remains on fabric it is to get out • Treat stains before laundering a garment • Hot water and heat sets stains

9. What takes out one stain, won’t take out another • What caused the stain?

10. Basic Stain Removal • 1. Rinsing – might get a fresh stain out of washable fabric by rinsing it immediately in cold water • See figure 14-5 page 253

11. 2. Soaking – stains can be dissolved or loosened by soaking in cold water for 30 minutes • Works well for water based stains (fruit juice and soft drinks) • Adding laundry detergent can aid also

12. Protein based stains (chocolate, blood, egg, grass, meat juice, milk, baby formula, perspiration) more difficult to remove • Add an enzyme presoak power (special proteins that control chemical activity • Enzymes break down certain soils • Attack protein fibers so are not suitable for wool or silk

13. 3. Pretreating – done just before laundering in order to give heavy dirt/stains extra attention • Apply liquid laundry detergent or a paste of water and powder detergent to stain • Lightly rub

14. Prewash soil and stain remover – is effective in dissolving oily, greasy, or heavily soiled stains • Wait 1 to 5 minutes before washing allowing it to penetrate • See page 254 – 255 for specific removal methods

15. 3. Bleaching – nonchlorine bleach may be used on all fabrics colors • Chlorine can’t be used on wool, silk, leather, spandex, noncolorfast fabrics • Use appropriate amount of water, water temperature, and soaking time

16. 4. Using Cleaning Fluid – on some stubborn stains • Use it carefully • Rinse fabric thoroughly before laundering

17. 5. Dry Cleaning –best solution • Professional attention • Care for fabric

18. Use caution • Used incorrectly, can make the problem worse or dangerous • Never combine stain removal • Never combine chlorine or ammonia

19. Checking for Repairs • Quick repair keeps the rip from lengthening • Place garments where you won’t forget about them • Make repairs in your spare time • Most can be done quickly with hand sewing • Restitch a loose button, snap, hook and eye

20. Pressing • Is raising and lowering the iron from one are to the next • Quickly removes a few wrinkles • Sharpens creases • Heat and steam smooth fabric • Press on wrong side = prevents shiny marks • Use correct temperatures

21. Light Wrinkles • Hand held steamers • Hang a garment in the bathroom while you shower • Can of wrinkle remover

22. Putting Clothes Away • Prevent wrinkles by putting clothes away • Hang or fold clothes up immediately • Woven garments should be hung • Close zipper, button top button • Store knitted garments on shelves, drawers

23. Understanding Care Labels • Inside garment • Care Labeling Rule of the Federal Trade Commission • Regulates information on the labels

24. Care Labeling Information • Fiber, fabric construction, finish, color, interfacing, lining, and trims determine what care method is listed • Only one method of care required on label • Either machine, hand wash, or dry clean

25. Labels • Must provide specific information • Washing method • Safe water temperature • Method and safe temperature for drying • If chlorine bleach can be used

26. Washing • “Machine wash” means you can wash and dry the garment by any method at any temperature –hot, warm, cold • Wash separately – wash alone or with like colors

27. Bleaching • Label might not mention bleach • Means any bleach may be used • Will state “no chlorine bleach” • If all bleaches are harmful “no bleach”

28. Drying • “tumble dry” means garment can be dried in tumble dryer at specified setting • High, medium low, or no heat • “line dry” hand out • “dry flat” lie it on a towel and flat surface

29. Ironing • Indicates iron temperature settings • “warm” or “cool” iron • “do not iron” • “iron damp”

30. Dry Cleaning • Can’t be washed • “dry clean only” • Coil operated • At home in your dryer • Professional dry cleaner

31. Fabric Care Symbols • 1997 manufacturers put on fabric care symbols • Garments can be sold anywhere in world and people know how to take care of them • See page 261 figure 14-14

32. Storing Clothes • Stay organized • Whether lots of space of not • Keeps clothes neat and you know where they are • See page 262 for tips

33. Organized Closet • Unneeded garments are stored • Place similar items together • Hang garments of similar length together • Mutiple shirt, pant hangers

34. Drawers and Shelves • Store similar items • Specific drawer for socks, underwear, t-shirts • Use shelves for additional storage • Stack sweaters, sweatshirts

35. Seasonal Storage • Store what you are not using • Clothing and accessories should be clean before storing • Stains can turn brown and yellow during storage • Stained/soiled fabrics attract insects like moths and silverfish • Moth and insect repellants are available • Store in large garment bags, boxes, chests • Seal with tape • Don’t place in plastic bags, need circulation • Need a dry space • Dampness causes mildew

36. Summary • Caring for garments properly has several benefits • Routine care includes removing stains, making small repairs, and storing correctly.

37. Different types of stains require different stain removal techniques • A garment’s permanent care label tells you how to care for it

38. Symbols on permanent care labels are a guide to care • Organized clothing storage saves time and helps keep clothes looking good

39. Conduct a survey and see if friends and families can identify fabric care symbols.