Chapter 18Chapter 18

Caring for ClothesCaring for Clothes

Clothing StorageClothing Storage

Store apparel items as close as possible Store apparel items as close as possible to the place where they will be used or put to the place where they will be used or put on.on.

It is recommended that you never store It is recommended that you never store clothing that is dirty.clothing that is dirty.

Chemicals found in deodorants, perfumes, Chemicals found in deodorants, perfumes, body lotions, and perspiration can break body lotions, and perspiration can break down fibers over time.down fibers over time.– Always sash or dry-clean garments before Always sash or dry-clean garments before

storing themstoring them

Removing Spots and StainsRemoving Spots and Stains

If a garment gets a spot, If a garment gets a spot, do something about it as do something about it as quickly as possible.quickly as possible.– Grease stains may be Grease stains may be

removed using absorbent removed using absorbent powder, then strong powder, then strong detergent, then cleaning detergent, then cleaning fluid.fluid.

– Unidentified stains on Unidentified stains on washable fabrics should washable fabrics should first be treated with a pre-first be treated with a pre-wash soil and stain wash soil and stain remover.remover.

– Stains on manufactured Stains on manufactured fibers or permanent-press fibers or permanent-press fabrics are hard to remove fabrics are hard to remove because the fibers do not because the fibers do not absorb water.absorb water.

Before removing a stain, Before removing a stain, you should:you should:– Check the garment’s label Check the garment’s label

for care informationfor care information– Identify the stainIdentify the stain– Identify the fiber content of Identify the fiber content of

the fabricthe fabric

When working with stain When working with stain removal products:removal products:– A clean, well-lighted area A clean, well-lighted area

with a hard work surface is with a hard work surface is neededneeded

– Read the manufacturer’s Read the manufacturer’s directions and warningsdirections and warnings

– Work in a well-ventilated Work in a well-ventilated areaarea

Laundering Your ClothesLaundering Your Clothes

Prepare clothes for laundering by closing Prepare clothes for laundering by closing fasteners and emptying pockets.fasteners and emptying pockets.– AgitationAgitation is the mechanical action that helps to is the mechanical action that helps to

loosen and remove soils from clothes during loosen and remove soils from clothes during laundering and can cause open fasteners to catch or laundering and can cause open fasteners to catch or snag and items to fall out of pockets.snag and items to fall out of pockets.

The laundry products you use should be The laundry products you use should be compatible with:compatible with:– Your laundry equipmentYour laundry equipment– The hardness of your waterThe hardness of your water– The fabrics in your garmentsThe fabrics in your garments

Use the Right Water TemperaturesUse the Right Water Temperatures

ColdCold– Mainly for dark colors that bleed, for lightly soiled loads, and for Mainly for dark colors that bleed, for lightly soiled loads, and for

delicate items.delicate items.– Saves energy costsSaves energy costs– Helps prevent fading and shrinkageHelps prevent fading and shrinkage– Less sanitizing effect and cleaning performanceLess sanitizing effect and cleaning performance

WarmWarm– Provides good cleaning for most wash loadsProvides good cleaning for most wash loads– Comfortable for the handsComfortable for the hands– Good for washing manufactured fibers, permanent-press, and Good for washing manufactured fibers, permanent-press, and

non-colorfast fabricsnon-colorfast fabrics

HotHot– Used for white and colorfast fabricsUsed for white and colorfast fabrics– Provides the best soil removal and sanitizingProvides the best soil removal and sanitizing– May set stains, cause shrinkage, fade colors, and encourage May set stains, cause shrinkage, fade colors, and encourage

wrinkling in some fabricswrinkling in some fabrics

Choose Correct ProductsChoose Correct ProductsDetergentsDetergents are granular or liquid laundry products made are granular or liquid laundry products made synthetically from chemicals that suspend and hold dirt and grease synthetically from chemicals that suspend and hold dirt and grease away from clothes during washing.away from clothes during washing.– Surfactants are an important ingredient in detergents because they Surfactants are an important ingredient in detergents because they

reduce the surface tension of water.reduce the surface tension of water.– Surfactants dissolve or suspend removed soil in water so it can go down Surfactants dissolve or suspend removed soil in water so it can go down

the drain.the drain.– Builders are ingredients in laundry products that inactivate hard water Builders are ingredients in laundry products that inactivate hard water

minerals.minerals.SoapsSoaps are biodegradable bar or granule cleaning products made are biodegradable bar or granule cleaning products made mostly from natural fats and lye.mostly from natural fats and lye.– Biodegradable means soaps have the ability to break down into natural Biodegradable means soaps have the ability to break down into natural

waste products that do not harm the environment.waste products that do not harm the environment.EnzymesEnzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions and help are proteins that speed up chemical reactions and help break down certain soils and stains into simpler forms that can be break down certain soils and stains into simpler forms that can be removed more easily.removed more easily.BleachesBleaches are chlorine or oxygen type laundry products used to are chlorine or oxygen type laundry products used to clean, whiten, and brighten fabrics.clean, whiten, and brighten fabrics.– Chlorine bleach can harm silk, wool, mohair, and spandex fibers.Chlorine bleach can harm silk, wool, mohair, and spandex fibers.

Fabric softenersFabric softeners give softness and fluffiness to washable fabrics. give softness and fluffiness to washable fabrics.

Sorting ClothesSorting Clothes

Sort by colorSort by color– WhitesWhites– Light colorsLight colors– Dark colorsDark colors

Sort by kind and Sort by kind and amount of soilamount of soil– Lightly-soiledLightly-soiled– Heavily-soiledHeavily-soiled– Oily or greasy itemsOily or greasy items

Sort by type of fabric and Sort by type of fabric and garment constructiongarment construction– DelicatesDelicates

Delicate items should be Delicate items should be washed with gentle washed with gentle agitation and a shorter agitation and a shorter wash time than sturdy wash time than sturdy items.items.

– Lint-producing fabricsLint-producing fabricsNew towels, terry cloth New towels, terry cloth robes, and chenille spreads robes, and chenille spreads are examples of lint-are examples of lint-producing fabrics.producing fabrics.

Ironing and PressingIroning and Pressing

Equipment used in ironing and Equipment used in ironing and pressingpressing– IronIron– Sleeve boardSleeve board– Pressing mittPressing mitt– Ironing boardIroning board– Tailor’s hamTailor’s ham– Pressing clothPressing cloth– Velvet boardVelvet board

Ironing is the process of using Ironing is the process of using an iron to remove wrinkles an iron to remove wrinkles from damp, washable clothing from damp, washable clothing with heat and pressurewith heat and pressure– Starches are sizings used in Starches are sizings used in

ironing that restore body and ironing that restore body and crispness to fabrics that have crispness to fabrics that have become limp from laundering become limp from laundering and wear.and wear.

Pressing involves placing a Pressing involves placing a heated iron on fabric and then heated iron on fabric and then lifting, rather than using a lifting, rather than using a gliding motiongliding motion– A pressing cloth is placed A pressing cloth is placed

between the item being between the item being pressed and the iron to protect pressed and the iron to protect the right side of the garments the right side of the garments and prevent shine.and prevent shine.

Dry CleaningDry Cleaning

Dry cleaning is the process of cleaning textile Dry cleaning is the process of cleaning textile items with non-water liquid solvents or absorbent items with non-water liquid solvents or absorbent compounds.compounds.– Minimizes shrinkageMinimizes shrinkage– Preserves tailoring detailsPreserves tailoring details– Maintains the fine characteristics and finishes of fabricsMaintains the fine characteristics and finishes of fabrics

Services offered by professional dry cleanersServices offered by professional dry cleaners– Dry clean garments and other non-washable itemsDry clean garments and other non-washable items– Seasonal storage of apparelSeasonal storage of apparel– Launder and press washable itemsLaunder and press washable items– Remove spots and stainsRemove spots and stains– Remove pills with an industrial fabric brushRemove pills with an industrial fabric brush– Add sizings or water-repellent finishesAdd sizings or water-repellent finishes– Do minor repairs and alterationsDo minor repairs and alterations