Clothing Care Basics

Chapter 14

Why Care for Clothes?

Organized, clean, in good repairwhen you need them

•Last longer, if stains are dealt with quickly

•Avoid dry-cleaning bills

•Save time and money

StainsDO NOT

Launder in hot water without treating stains Can set the stain and make

it almost impossible to remove

Don’t use enzyme pre-soak with wool or silk!

protein-based fibers

DO – 4 options Rinse in cold water Soak for 30 minutes Bleach – diluted, only for

whites Pre-treat – liquid detergent or

paste on stain before laundering

Other pre-treatment options

An enzyme pre-soak for Chocolate, blood, egg, meat juice, milk, perspiration, grass, or other protein stains

Prewash soil and stain remover

Pressing vs. Ironing

Pressing is a light touch-up of a garment, lifting and lowering the iron lightly from one area to the next

Ironing the whole garment is more time consuming and involved

Putting Clothes Away

Avoid This! And

This!

And This!

Putting Clothes Away

Put woven garments on hangers

Use a wide hanger for jackets or crease-prone items

Empty pockets, close zipper or top button

Knitted garments should be stored on a shelf or drawer

Fabric Care Labels

All garments must include a care label

Regulated by

Not required on socks and hosiery

Care Codes

Care codes were standardized in 1997 due to globalization of fashion production

Use of Dots For Defining Temperature of Water for Washing Symbol

Symbol Definition Description

95°C Near boil

70°C Extremely hot

60°C Very hot

50°C Hot

40°C Warm

30°C Cool

Tumble Dry

Line Dry

Dry Flat

Do not wring

Wash

Bleach

Iron

Dry Clean

Homework:

Complete the worksheet on stains and care codes