Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Care for your clothes

We strongly advise our customers to wash new garments before wearing them. New clothing often has a chemical finish designed to make the clothes look and smell better in the shop or prevent mildew or pest contamination during shipping. These chemicals may cause skin irritation in some people. Possible factory or storeroom contamination by insects or rodents and unhygienic handling by other shoppers are further reasons to wash new garments before wearing, especially with regard to babies or those with allergies or sensitive skin.

  1. New garments are to be washed with only with clear water for the first wash, without detergent, and not to be soaked.
  2. For subsequent washes, you can then use mild detergent.
  3. Do not wash together with other clothings and soaking overnight in not advisable.

Fresh stains are much easier to remove than old ones, so take care of stains promptly.
The following general procedures apply to nearly all stains:-

  1. Blot up any excess liquid with a clean cloth.
  2. Remove excess solids by gentle scraping or chipping with a dull knife or metal spatula. With some solids such as heavy amounts of surface mud removal may be easier after the stain has dried. Excess can be brushed off before the clothing is submerged for washing.
  3. Avoid rubbing the stained area with a dark-colored cloth. You may complicate the problem.
  4. Never rub a fresh stain with bar soap. Soap sets many stains.
  5. If garment can be dry cleaned, take it to the cleaners as soon as possible (within 24 to 48 hours).
  6. Do not try to treat suede, leather, or fur. Professional cleaners are needed for these items.
  7. Avoid using hot water on stains of unknown origin. Hot water can set protein stains such as milk, egg, or blood.
  8. Test the stain removal agent on a seam or hidden area of the garment to be sure it does not affect the color or finish of the fabric before starting on the stain.
  9. Avoid excessive rubbing unless fabric is tough and durable. Rubbing can spread the stain and damage the fiber, finish, or color.
  10. Do not iron or press stained fabrics. Heat will set most stains.
  11. Check laundry for stains before washing. Many stains need pretreatment.
  12. Inspect wet laundry before drying to be sure stain has been removed. If a stain is still evident, do not dryer dry. The heat of drying will tend to make the stain more permanent.
  13. Wash heavily soiled items separately. During laundering soil is broken into smaller particles and can be re-deposited on cleaner clothing if insufficient detergent is used, water temperature is too, low, washing time too long, or washer is overloaded with too many clothes.

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