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M ost of us, at some Laundering Sorting Clothes point, are faced with the Sorting clothes can help task of doing , and avoid some laundry problems. we want to know the easiest Guide Group together items that can and best way of doing it. be washed in the same water Good laundry procedures temperature and agitation and can increase the wear life spin speed. Sort by: of clothing. • Color—separate light Laundering clothes is not colors from bright or dark the same as it was 20 years colors, and whites (especially ago. Today’s automatic white ) from all colors. washers and dryers offer a Nylon is a “color scavenger” variety of features. Methods that readily picks up colors have changed; more people from other clothes. Many are washing with warm or dark or bright colors need cold water to save energy, Deannna M. Munson cooler water temperatures to and this can affect results. Extension Specialist, Textiles prevent fading. Fabrics have changed, • Fabric, construction, too. Synthetic fibers, texture—read care instruc- blended fabrics, and permanent press, • Shake out loose dirt. Brush dirt or tions. Some fabrics need hot water; , fluorescent whiteners, and other lint out of pockets and cuffs. others need warm or cool. Delicate finishes call for different procedures. • Mend rips and tears. fabrics, such as loose knits or lingerie, And, most of all, laundry • Turn permanent press garments need gentle agitation; sturdy fabrics and other laundry products have inside out. This helps prevent pilling need regular wash cycles. Permanent changed. This publication should help and catching lint. press and many synthetics need special you get the best results with today’s • Place small items and hosiery in machine cycles to prevent wrinkling. equipment and products. mesh bag. Separate “lint-givers” such as • Remove nonwashable parts, such terrycloth and chenille from as trim or belts. “lint-takers” such as permanent press, Preparing and • Empty all pockets. synthetics, corduroy or velveteen. Pretreating Clothes • Degree of soil—wash lightly Preparing clothes for laundering is a To pretreat before laundering: soiled clothes separately from heavily step many of us are tempted to omit, • remove spots and . soiled work or play clothes. but it’s well worth the time it takes. Use a prewash spray for some spots, or Better laundry results can be Mending rips and tears before washing refer to a removal chart for more achieved without wasting water by prevents further damage during difficult ones. Rub heavily soiled areas, using a with variable laundering. Pretreating spots and stains especially collars and cuffs, with a water level settings so you can wash has become a necessity because of the liquid or paste of powdered two or three small loads of properly changes in detergents and increased detergent and water. sorted clothes rather than one large use of synthetic fabrics that do not • Presoak heavily soiled items. Use mixed load. release soil easily. a for short soaks or a To prepare clothes for laundering: presoak product for 30 minutes to Load Size • Close zippers and hooks and overnight soaking. Drain the soak eyes. This prevents damage to water and wash with usual amount of Weight of clothes is not an accurate fasteners and keeps them from snag- fresh detergent. indication of load size. Judge the size ging other clothes. of wash loads by bulk (amount of space the items occupy) rather than

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service 2

pounds. Load wash baskets loosely, as a cold washer. If your water heater is wash. If you use this method, be sure clothes must circulate freely for set to deliver water at 110° to 120° F the warm water setting on your thorough cleaning and rinsing. Over- (43.3° to 48.8°C), you would have to machine provides water in the warm loading can cause poor cleaning, use the hot water setting on your range—from 100° to 110° F (37.7° to excessive lint and extra wear washing to get water in the warm 43.3° C) is best. Your hot water heater on clothes. range. If you use the warm setting and will probably have to be set at 140° F For best washing action, wash mix 110° F (43.3° C) water with 40° F (60.0° C) to accomplish this. articles of different sizes together to (4.5° C) cold water (as it could be in the Use the regular amount of detergent allow good circulation. For example, winter), the wash water would only be in both soak and wash cycles. Since don’t put more than two or three sheets 75° F (23.8° C) on the warm setting, some granular detergents do not in a load; fill it out with small articles. and the clothes will probably not be as dissolve completely in cold water, it Permanent press and synthetics should clean as you would like. Most washers may be best to use a liquid laundry be washed with fewer items per load to use a 50/50 mix for warm water, but detergent in the soak. A granular minimize wrinkling and improve some new machines are using a 60 detergent should be pre-dissolved to cleaning. Washing machine capacities percent cold and 40 percent hot water gain full benefit from it. are increasing; read the instruction mix. To check water temperature, hold In most cases a soak period of 30 manual for your machine to determine a candy thermometer under the flow minutes or less is sufficient. For a load sizes. to determine the actual water tempera- longer soak, increase the detergent ture on each setting of your machine. slightly or use a special presoak Select the warmest water possible for product. It is important to have brief Water Temperatures the fabrics. periods of agitation at the beginning of In general, the hotter the water the the soak to help dissolve detergent and better the soil removal. However, many during the soak to flex the fibers to clothes cannot be washed in hot water Energy Conservation remove loosened soil. because shrinkage or fading may occur. Eighty-five to 90 percent of the A cold soak with detergent is Read care instructions to determine energy used in doing laundry is for effective. Even though the soak temperatures needed. If clothes are heating water. For a load washed in hot solution is at a reduced temperature, 1 1 heavily soiled but cannot be washed in water with a cold rinse, ⁄4 to ⁄2 kwh of there is enough time for the detergent hot water, it may help to presoak electricity is used to run the machine to loosen the soil. clothes or increase the amount of and about 5 kwh to heat the water. You By adding detergent to both the detergent and lengthen washing time to can save energy by always using a cold soak and wash cycles, the detergent improve cleaning. water rinse, no matter what the wash (chemical energy) is compensating for Check the actual water temperature water temperature. Rinsing is merely a the reduction in wash water tempera- on the warm setting of your washing dilution process; research shows that ture (thermal energy). machine. This could vary from summer cold water is just as effective as hot. In Even though the best cleaning takes to winter because the temperature of addition, cold-water rinsing minimizes place in hot water, you can save energy the cold water coming into the house wrinkling in fabrics made from by moving to warm or cold water can be much colder in the wintertime. man-made fibers and those with washing. If you do, remember to Also, hot water temperature varies crease-resistant finishes. compensate for the lower temperatures according to the water heater setting Using a cold rather than warm rinse by such methods as presoaking, 1 and the heat loss as the water goes will save about 2 ⁄2 kwh of electricity prespotting or increasing the agitation through the pipes. per load for water heating. If the time. Some granular detergents do not ° ° Hot water is 130 F (54.4 C) or clothes go into the dryer cold rather dissolve well in cold water. Add them above. The temperature range for warm than warm, it does extend the drying to the wash water first and thoroughly ° ° ° water should be 90 to 110 F (32.2 C time. However, research indicates this dissolve before adding clothes, or use ° ° ° to 43.3 C). Cold water is 80 F (26.7 additional drying time only uses about liquid detergent for cold water launder- C) or below; however, very little soil .2 kwh more electricity, so a cold rinse ing. Keep in mind that lower wash ° removal occurs in water under 60 F still saves approximately 2 kwh for temperatures result in increased ° (15.0 C). Detergents, even those each load. bacteria count remaining on the fabric formulated for cold water, lose their Presoaking clothing is another at the end of the wash cycle. Ordinarily cleaning ability below that tempera- energy-saver. Laboratory testing has this is not a concern, but it may be ° ° ture. About a 10 F (5.6 C) drop in shown that a combination of a cold advisable to use hot water or disinfect temperature can be expected as hot soak, followed by a warm wash cycle, clothing when there is illness in the water travels through the pipes and into provides cleaning equal to a hot water family, when washing infants’ clothing 3

and when using public laundry speeds if abrasion of fabrics would product creates a suds problem, don’t facilities. In these situations, you can cause pilling, and for delicate or reduce the amount used. Instead, use chlorine (if safe for the loosely knit or woven fabrics. Use change to a controlled or low-sudsing fabric) or other disinfectants. regular cycles for sturdy or heavily detergent and use the recommended soiled clothes. Slower agitation and amount. Always read the package spinning results in less wrinkling of directions to get the best results from Water Hardness permanent press and synthetic clothing. laundry products. The hardness of the water plays an Longer wash periods and faster Remember that the amount recom- important role in cleaning clothes. The speeds remove more soil, but a soak mended on the package is based on harder the water, the more difficult the period can compensate for a shorter average washing conditions: cleaning. Water hardness refers to wash period and slower agitation. • an average load of clothes (5 to 7 minerals, primarily calcium and lbs. or 2.3 to 3.2 K); magnesium, that occur naturally in Amount of Detergent • average or moderate soil; water. Water hardness is expressed in or • average water hardness (3.4 to 7.0 grains per gallon (gpg) or parts per gpg or 61 to 120 ppm); million (ppm). In general, 0-3.5 grains The days of suds overflowing the • an average water fill (17 gallons per gallon (0-60 ppm) is considered washing machine and covering the (65 L) for top-loading and 8 gallons soft; 3.6 to 7 gpg (61-120 ppm) is floor are gone. A much (30 L) for a front-loading automatic moderately hard; 7.1-10.5 gpg more common problem today is washer). (120-180 ppm) is hard, and over 10.6 underuse. You may notice a gradual If any of these four items is not gpg (over 180 ppm) is very hard. graying of clothing and general “average,” change the amount of Although water hardness varies deterioration of appearance. This could detergent used. For example, if your from one area to another (and from be caused by soil buildup on the water is harder than average or clothes summer to winter) most areas in clothes because you’re not using are very heavily soiled, increase the Kansas have hard to very . enough detergent or soap. recommended amount. Less may be Information on water hardness in your Detergents serve two main pur- used for lightly soiled clothes. Auto- area should be available from the poses: to loosen and remove soil from matic washers vary greatly in water municipal water department or the the clothes and to hold soil and lint in capacity or fill—top loaders can range county health department. If water suspension in the wash water until it is from 10 to 24 gallons (38-91 L) and hardness is creating laundry problems, drained away. If too little detergent is front loaders from 8 to 10 gallons you may want to consider adding a used, the clothing won’t come clean (30-38 L). Older top loaders had about non-precipitating water softener to and soil may be redeposited, showing a 16-gallon (61 L) capacity; newer your wash and rinse water or installing up as tiny dark specks on clothing. If large-capacity washers use up to 24 a mechanical water softener. Water clothes are not getting clean, increase gallons (91 L). Many washers have softener products are discussed in more the amount of detergent. settings that permit you to vary the detail in a later section. Detergents differ in formulation and amount of water. Determine how much other characteristics, so it is important water each setting uses and adjust the to read package directions. One The Wash Cycle detergent accordingly, keeping in mind significant difference is the density of the amount suggested on the box is for Although some washing machines the product. One powdered product 16–17 gallons (61-65 L). have only one wash cycle, many now may weight only 2.5 ounces per cup, Three kinds of energy are used to have two or more. A regular cycle another may weigh 5 ounces and a clean clothes: chemical (the deter- usually runs 10 to 15 minutes with a third 8 ounces per cup. The heavier, gent), thermal (water temperature) and fast agitation speed. A permanent press denser or more concentrated the mechanical (agitation speed and length or synthetic cycle is shorter, from 5 to product, the smaller the volume (cup of wash time). If one or more is 10 minutes, with slower agitation and measure) of the product needed. To reduced, poor cleaning results. To spin speeds. Usually the permanent reduce packaging materials and storage compensate, another energy source press cycle will rinse with cold water space the current trend is to produce should be increased. For example, if no matter where the temperature dial is more concentrated laundry products. you reduce thermal energy (changing set since this helps reduce wrinkles in The amount of suds produced can from hot to warm or cold washing), the permanent press clothing. A delicate vary greatly from brand to brand, so chemical energy (the detergent) should cycle is short, 4 to 5 minutes, with a suds level is not an indicator of the be increased. slow agitation and spin. correct amount of detergent. If the Many of today’s fabrics require a Use shorter wash periods and slower recommended amount of a high-suds lower wash temperature, reduced wash 4

time or slower agitation to preserve added and are available in either washer parts from corrosive effects of colors and special finishes and reduce granular or flake form. Brand names water and the washing solution. wrinkling. At the same time, it is include Snow, , Country • Suds control agents—control difficult to remove soil from some Safe, Citrus Soap, and White King. Its the amount of suds developed by synthetics. Many persons are also major drawback is that soap combines the detergent. moving to warm or cold water launder- with water hardness minerals to form a • Fragrances—cover the odor of ing to save energy and reduce energy sticky, insoluble residue called soap soils and the chemical odor of the costs for heating hot water. These scum or curd, or lime curd. This curd product. Often designed to remain as a factors make it even more important to can build up as a residue on clothes pleasant fragrance in clean clothing. use an adequate amount of detergent that causes them to become gray, dingy • Other ingredients—oxygen bleach, to avoid soil buildup and redeposition and greasy feeling. It can also build up , enzymes, fabric softeners, of soil on clothing. They also explain in the washer. For this reason, soap is opacifiers, and colorants. why presoaking or prespotting stains, not recommended in automatic washers Detergents are classified heavy duty or both, has become a necessary unless the water is very soft (0 to 3 (all purpose) or light duty performance laundry practice. gpg). The problem of soap residue led and are available in both granular and Graying of fabrics is usually the to the development of laundry deter- liquid form. cumulative result of incomplete soil gents, which today represent 95 percent removal over an extended period of of laundry washing products sold. Heavy Duty (all purpose products) time. It could be caused by any or all of Detergents: It was not until after Heavy duty products are suitable for the following: World War II that detergents became all washable fabrics and in liquid form • too little detergent; widely used in home laundry. Unlike are particularly convenient for • overloading the washer; soap, they do not form a curd in hard pre-treating spots and stains. • water is not hot enough; water and are satisfactory in any water Heavy duty (all purpose) detergents are • using soap with anything other and with all types of fabrics. For these further classified by sudsing action. than soft water (0-3 gpg); reasons, detergents have essentially These include: • not presoaking (at least 30 replaced soap for laundering. Although • High sudsers — , , minutes) heavily stained articles; each company develops its own Lemon Dash, , Oxydol. • incorrect sorting of clothes. formula, all detergents have these • Controlled sudsers — Tide with A process called “stripping” the basic ingredients: Bleach, Liquid Ivory Snow, Ultra fabric is often helpful in removing • (surface active agents)— Oxydol Solo, Ultra Compact Tide, accumulated soil and restoring white- improve the wetting action of the water; Liquid Lemon Dash, Dreft, Liquid ness. For a 17-gallon (65 L) machine: loosen and remove oil from the fabric; Dreft, Era, Gain, Ultra Gain, Bold, 1. Fill the washer tub with the help to suspend soil in the wash water to Cheerfree, Liquid ALL, Wisk Concen- hottest water the clothes can take. prevent redeposition of soil. trate, Surf Liquid and Powder. 2. Add 1 to 2 cups of a • Builders—a product that inacti- • Low sudsers (developed for front nonprecipitating water conditioner vates water hardness (softens water) to loaders but work well in any type such as Calgon or Spring Rain (more if increase cleaning efficiency; emulsifies machine) — Liquid Cheer, Concen- water is very hard). grease and oil and holds soil in trated ALL. 1 1 1 3. Add ⁄4– ⁄2 cup liquid or 1 ⁄2 –2 suspension; helps to maintain optimum cups powdered detergent. (To whiten alkalinity necessary for good cleaning. Light Duty clean clothes, omit detergent.) Although there are other types of Light duty products are for delicate 4. Add clothes and run through builders, are still consid- washable fabrics in automatic and complete wash and rinse cycles. ered best for these functions. hand washing. (Most hand dish- You will see dirty suds accumulat- • Anti-redeposition agents—help washing liquids can be used for hand ing as the soil buildup is removed. prevent loosened soil from settling washing delicate or lightly soiled These will then rinse away during the back onto clothes. items but should not be used in an final rinse cycles. • Brighteners or fluorescent whiten- automatic washer because they are ing agents—fluorescent dyes make high sudsing and do not contain white fabrics appear whiter and colors corrosion inhibitors.) Light duty Laundry Products brighter. They convert invisible detergents include , , Ivory : Soap, which has been used ultraviolet rays from the sun or Liquid, Dove, and Sunlight. for centuries, is made basically from fluorescent light sources to visible light combining and alkali. Today’s that makes fabrics look brighter. soaps usually have other ingredients • Corrosion inhibitors—protect 5

Phosphate vs. Water Conditioners as egg, or grass. They are not effective in removing oil-based stains. Nonphosphate or Softeners Enzyme products require time to work. It was mentioned earlier that Water conditioners, precipitating or For best results, soak in warm water for 1 phosphates are considered the nonprecipitating, inactivate water at least /2 hour; effectiveness is best-performing builder in detergents. hardness minerals that reduce the reduced in cold water or at tempera- However, some years ago phosphates efficiency of the detergent. If you have tures above 140o F (60o C). The came under fire because it was very hard water or find your clothes are products can be safely used on all believed they accelerate algae growth looking gray, you may want to add a fibers (except silk and ), with in lakes and rivers. Although many nonprecipitating water conditioner to all detergents and with oxygen experts disagreed with the conclusion your wash and rinse water. A non- . Chlorine bleach destroys that eliminating phosphates detergents precipitating water conditioner the enzyme action and should not be would solve the problem, some states inactivates hardness minerals, holds used with enzyme products, unless the (not Kansas) banned the use of them in suspension and provides bleach is added after the enzyme detergents, and nearly all alkalinity for effective cleaning. action is completed. In addition to manufacturers have reduced the level Examples are Calgon, Spring Rain and enzymes, these granular products of phosphates in their products. Blue Raindrops. These products should contain combinations of builders, Although these reduced-phosphate be added to the wash water before the surfactants, fluorescent brighteners, detergents still perform well, it has detergent. Precipitating water softeners bluing agents, fragrances and possibly become extremely important to use the such as washing soda or sodium an oxygen bleach. correct amount of detergent and to carbonate should not be used in an increase the amount used for heavily automatic washer. When added to hard soiled clothes, hard water or large water they form insoluble particles Diaper Presoak Products loads. In general, powdered (precipitate) that can cling to fabrics Borax is usually the basic ingredient nonphosphate detergents do not clean and washer parts and leave a residue in diaper presoak products. It is used as well as phosphate ones. that is hard to remove. The water by itself or with detergents and Carbonates are the most commonly becomes cloudy because of the . Borax inhibits bacteria used phosphate substitute in granular precipitate. (Water with nonprecipitating growth and ammonia odors while detergents. Unfortunately, they soften conditioners remains clear.) diapers are awaiting laundering. water by reacting with the hardness minerals to form small, insoluble particles called precipitate, which can Detergent Boosters Fabric Softeners build up on fabrics and washing Detergent “boosters” such as Axion leaves a residue machine parts. Clothes can become or Miracle White were developed to on the fabric that makes it softer gray, stiff, and lose or change color. increase the cleaning power of deter- and fluffier, reduces static cling, The buildup is difficult to remove and gents. Since many contain water imparts pleasing fragrances, reduces can damage machine parts and cause conditioners, there usually is no drying time and wrinkling, and makes the finish of some flame-retardant necessity for using both laundry aids. easier. Reduction of static fabrics to become ineffective. Al- Formulas for “boosters” can contain cling also helps prevent lint from though some nonphosphate granular any one or a combination of: sticking to garments. There are two detergents today are improved over • water conditioners to soften water; types available: those of a few years ago, the phosphate • borax to help control alkalinity and • Rinse-added fabric softeners granular ones are still a better choice. loosen soil; (, Snuggle, Final Touch)— Check labels for type of builder used. • enzymes to dissolve stains; These should only be used in the rinse Liquid detergents have the advan- • fluorescent whiteners; cycle and should not be used with soap, tage of dissolving quickly, especially in • small amounts of surfactants detergent, bleach, bluing, or packaged cold water. They are also easier to use or builders; water conditioners. They will react and for prespotting soil and stains. Liquid • corrosion inhibitors. cause a white, sticky residue on clothes nonphosphates do not cause precipitate which is sometimes mistaken for lint. They are available in concentrated buildup. They are made with more Enzyme Presoaks and no builder and do a good form requiring 1 to 3 ounces (30 to 90 job of cleaning. They do not react to Enzyme presoak products such as ml) per wash and in diluted form Axion, Biz, and Trizyme are effective 1 1 water hardness and leave no precipitate requiring ⁄3 to ⁄2 cup (80 to 120 ml) or deposit on fabric. in removing protein-based stains such per wash depending on load size. 6

If your washer is equipped with a Too little detergent in the wash will Bleaches fabric softener dispenser, follow the prevent complete removal of the fabric directions in the instruction book, and softener, allowing a gradual buildup. Bleaches help whiten fabrics and the softener will be added automati- Avoid pouring rinse-added or remove some heavy soils. Chlorine cally to the final rinse. If the washer wash-added fabric softener directly on bleach provides a disinfectant action. does not have a dispenser, add the the clothes. It will cause an oily, Chlorine bleaches, usually liquid, recommended amount of fabric greasy-looking stain, but will not can be safely used on all washable softener to the rinse water as soon as damage fabric. On rare occasions, fabrics except silk, wool, spandex, agitation begins in the final rinse. Do dryer-added fabric softeners can cause noncolorfast items, certain flame- not pour directly on clothes. small translucent spots or streaking on retardant finishes, and fabrics treated • Dryer-added fabric softeners colored synthetics or blends, but it is with chlorine retentive finishes, such (Downy, Bounce, Cling-Free, Snuggle, not permanent. Fabric softener stains as permanent press. (Read care labels Free n’ Soft)—Available as coated, can be removed by rubbing the on clothes and all directions on the nonwoven fabric or foam sheets to be dampened stain with bar soap and bleach container.) put in the dryer with the clothes or as a rewashing the item. Always follow the manufacturer’s pad to be fastened to the drum for instructions for the amount of chlorine multiple loads. Read and follow bleach to use. Since instructions are Prewash Spot and 1 package directions. The sheet form usually given as ⁄8 cup for each 2 often can be used for two or three Stain Removers gallons of wash water, check the washer loads. The solid is semi-permanently Prewash spot removers – such as instructions to see how many gallons attached to the dryer, and is slowly Spray-and-Wash, Shout, Clorox are used for each water level setting. absorbed by fabric surfaces as clothes Pre-Wash, Faultless Spray Pre-Wash, Improper use of chlorine bleach will come into contact with pad. One pad and Miracle White Laundry Soil and damage fabrics. The damage may should last for 40–50 dryer loads. Stain Remover – help loosen and appear as rips, tears, or holes. It often Modern technology has made remove soil during laundering. They will not appear for several launderings possible the combination of detergent are especially helpful on permanent- after the bleach has been improperly and fabric softener in one product. Two press garments and synthetics such as used. To avoid damage: such granular products are Bold 3 and that tends to hold oily stains. • Never allow undiluted chlorine Fab, and in liquid form Yes and Solo. There are two kinds: a solvent type for bleach to come in direct contact oily or greasy stains and a surfactant with fabric. • Always measure the amount used Fabric Softener type that works well on non-oily stains such as food or dirt. Read labels to — don’t guess. Buildup, Stains determine which kind you are buying. • Use a bleach dispenser, if avail- Both wash- and rinse-added Solvent-based products usually list able. Add recommended amount of softeners are absorbed by fabrics, so contents as “petroleum distillates,” chlorine bleach to dispenser before the amount used must be adjusted to “chlorinated hydrocarbons” or “per- loading washer with clothes, to prevent the size of the load, not to the amount chloroethylene.” Grease solvents work undiluted bleach from accidentally of water in the tub. Dryer-added sheets very quickly; add treated items should spilling onto fabrics. should also be adjusted to the size of be added to the wash water before the If your washer does not have a the load. Only half a sheet should be solvent evaporates. These products will bleach dispenser, dilute chlorine bleach used with small loads. work with any detergent in any water as recommended (usually 1 cup to 1 Too much fabric softener will cause temperature, but occasionally in cold gallon of water). After the washing the clothes to appear yellow or dingy water, the prespotter may not com- action starts, lift the lid and pour the and feel greasy . It also makes the pletely rinse away and a faint stain will diluted bleach solution around the fabric less absorbent, which can appear. If this happens, treat the stain agitator. Close lid immediately and diminish the effectiveness of towels with liquid detergent (or paste of re-start washer. and diapers and make clothing hot to powdered detergent) and rewash before Chlorine bleach can react with iron wear. If this happens, omit softener drying in an automatic dryer where the in hard water and cause yellow or pink every third or fourth laundering. stain might be set by the heat. stains. Test by adding 1 tablespoon Follow label directions when using chlorine bleach to 1 cup of hot water. If these products. Avoid spraying on the water turns red or brown, it table tops, washers or dryers because contains excessive iron, and you should they may damage some plastics or use only oxygen bleaches. painted surfaces. If you’re not sure whether chlorine 7

bleach can be safely used on a colored • A permanent press cycle is best for the sun. However, some fluorescent fabric, mix a solution of 1 tablespoon synthetics, blends and permanent press brighteners used on white fabrics are 1 bleach and ⁄4 cup water. Place 2 or 3 clothing. This cycle has a longer yellowed by prolonged sunlight drops of this solution on an inconspicu- cool-down period at the end of the exposure. White clothing containing ous part of the garment; be sure it drying time that helps avoid wrinkling. fluorescent brighteners or colored penetrates the fabric. If no color If your dryer does not have this cycle, clothing should be dried in the shade or change occurs after 2 minutes, the lower or shut off the heat manually for brought in as soon as they are dry to bleach is safe to use. the last 10 minutes of drying time. avoid yellowing or sunfading. Caution: Chlorine bleach is • Read and follow care labels for poisonous. It will cause burns or correct drying temperatures. irritation if it comes in contact with the • Dry lightweight and heavy Originally written by Jereldine R. skin or eyes. Do not mix chlorine bleach clothing separately for even drying. Howe, Extension Specialist, Textiles and ammonia or products containing a • Don’t over-dry clothing to a “bone (retired). strong acid, such as toilet bowl cleaners dry” condition. Clothes may become Revised by Deanna M. Munson and removers. The fumes that result harsh and wrinkled if all natural Extension Specialist, Textiles can cause serious injury or death. moisture is removed. Fabrics, espe- 5-24-91 Observe label warnings. cially knits, can shrink if over-dried. It Oxygen bleaches (usually pow- is normal for elastic bands in shorts, dered), while safe for all fabrics, are socks or bras to feel slightly damp not as effective as chlorine types when first removed from the dryer. for removing stains and restoring • Don’t dry “lint-givers” and whiteness. However, they help “lint-receivers” in the same load. maintain whiteness if used on a regular • Always keep the lint filter clean. If basis. They may be added in recom- you don’t, air flow will be reduced and mended amounts with the detergent. drying time will increase. Oxygen bleaches are most effective in hot water. Line-Drying Clothes Drying -drying clothing is becoming more popular as a way to save energy. Using an automatic dryer properly Sometimes, white articles are left out can save time and effort. Follow these all day to benefit from the mild pointers for best results. bleaching action of long exposure to • A correct washer load is also the right size dryer load; don’t dry more than one washer load at a time. Overloading the dryer lessens the efficiency of the machine and prolongs drying time. It also results in uneven Important Laundry Cautions drying because proper tumbling action • Don’t dry items containing foam sene, turpentine and some and will not occur. rubber on a heat setting. When heated, removers. • Many of today’s fabrics – such as these materials can, under certain • Never permit children to operate permanent press, synthetics and blends circumstances, produce fire by sponta- or play in, with or around washers and of natural and synthetic fibers – neous combustion. dryers. perform better if washed and dried in • Do not place in a dryer any • A flammable gas (hydrogen) can slightly smaller loads. They need to material on which you have used a form in a hot water heater that has not tumble freely to smooth out wrinkles cleaning solvent or which is saturated been used for 2 weeks or more. If this while drying. It is essential to remove with flammable liquids or solids until is the case, to prevent injury or these garments from the dryer immedi- all traces of the solvent or flammable damage, run the hot water at the sink ately when tumbling stops; they will materials and their fumes have been before starting the washer (or any become wrinkled if left in the drum. removed. This could include such appliance using hot water) to allow the • Regular cycles may be used to dry products as acetone, denatured alcohol, gas to escape. Avoid smoking or sheets, towels, underwear and some spot removers, gasoline, kero- placing an open flame near the faucet. nonpermanent-press jeans. 8

Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Publications from Kansas State University are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu

Contents of this publication may be freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. In each case, credit Deanna M. Munson, Ph.D., "Laundering Guide," Kansas State University, September 1991.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service MF-1014 SEPTEMBER 1991 It is the policy of Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and materials without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability. Kansas State University is an equal opportunity organization. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating, Marc A. Johnson, Director. File code: Clothing and Textiles-2