CLEAN FABRICSCLEAN ACI PRODUCT FACT SHEET Products that contain a and other LAUNDRY ingredients to clean fabrics in the wash. CLEANING ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS! READ THE LABEL! Welcome to the ever-changing world of laundry detergents! Garment care labels provide the manufacturer’s Consumers will find an array of choices available today instructions for cleaning the garment. For the when they shop for laundry detergents. Some of today’s best cleaning performance, read and follow both choices include: general-purpose, combination and High garment care labels and product label directions. Efficiency detergents. These detergents and laundry Colorfast Test Colorfast means that dyes used in the fabric will not run aides, like and , work in harmony to when they’re laundered. Unless the garment reads “Dry Clean Only,” this test contribute to the effectiveness of your laundry efforts! can be done. Place the edge of an inner seam or hem on a paper towel. Then Whatever your product choice, we hope this fact sheet saturate with cool and press down on the fabric. See if any color bleeds helps you stay up-to-date on laundry detergents and their onto the paper towel. If it doesn’t, you may have saved yourself a trip to the proper use! dry cleaner. If it does, then the garment may need to be dry cleaned. PRODUCTS PRODUCTS Laundry detergents come in many forms, each having its own benefits. Select the form that best meets your specific cleaning needs. • General-Purpose Detergents: Full-strength detergents that can be used with many types of fabrics/. • Light-Duty Detergents: These detergents can be used when washing fabrics by hand or in your . They're used primarily for delicate fabrics, such as those requiring special care, or lightly-soiled items; ideal for hand washing baby clothes. General-Purpose (■) and Light-Duty (■) Detergents High Efficiency (HE) Detergents – Detergents (both liquid and Single-Use Detergents – Compacted and/or concentrated powder forms) designed for use in both front- and top-loading powder, liquid, or tablet detergents that come in unit-dose HE washers. These products are formulated for use in low water sizes for measuring accuracy and laundering convenience. ■ ■ volume. Fragrance or Dye-Free Detergents – Many laundry Liquid Detergents – Especially effective on food and greasy and products are now fragrance-free and/or dye-free. Read the oily soils. They are also good for pretreating spots and prior labels for details. ■ ■ ■ to washing. Soap Bars – Formed bars are generally made Powder Detergents – Ideal for general wash loads. Powders are from tallow or a combination of tallow and cocoa (coconut especially effective at lifting out clay and ground-in dirt, making oil). They were the precursors of the chip and powder forms them ideal for children’s play clothes. ■ ■ of detergent. ■ Ultra Detergents – Concentrated detergents are available in Combination Detergents – One detergent formulated to liquid or powder forms. They come in smaller packages, yet are do two jobs. Look for: Liquid or powder detergents with designed to offer the same cleaning power as similar products built-in fabric softeners; powder detergents with color-safe in larger packages. You’ll need less ultra detergent than with an bleach; liquid detergents with bleach alternative. ■ unconcentrated product, so follow label instructions and use the measuring cap or scoop that comes with the product. ■ INGREDIENTS INGREDIENTS Ingredients may be listed on product packaging. The following are common ingredients used in laundry detergents. Not all products contain all ingredients. /Cleaning Agents – Improve the wetting ability of Softeners – Reduce fabric friction or static electricity, and help to water, loosen and remove soil with the aid of wash action, then provide a soft, fluffy appearance for fabrics. emulsify, solubilize, or suspend soils in the wash solution until Stabilizers – Maintain high-sudsing function, where suds level is soils are washed away. an important indicator of cleaning power. They also help maintain Builders – Enhance or “build” the cleaning efficiency of the stability of the product and its shelf life, especially the enzymes and surfactant by inactivating water hardness minerals. oxygen bleach. Enzymes – Break down complex stains and soils, including Preservatives – Substances used to protect against natural effects protein-based stains (grass and blood) and starch-based stains of product aging, e.g., decay, discoloration, oxidation, and bacterial common to many foods. Enzymes can also improve the appearance attack. They can also protect color and fragrance. and feel of fabrics. – Prevent separation or deterioration of ingredients in Polymers – Help to capture and hold soils and dyes, sending them liquid products. down the drain to avoid re-depositing on washed fabrics. Fragrances – Provide pleasant scent to fabrics, plus cover the odors Oxygen Bleach – A type of bleach that maintains color and of the detergent and the soils in the washing solution. whiteness and may be used with all fabrics. Colorants – Added to lend individuality to the product, or dramatize a special additive contributing to product performance.

Got a question about this topic? www.cleaninginstitute.org ? [email protected] and assume no responsibility for the use of this information. this of use the for responsibility no assume and herein contained information the to respect with implied, or expressed warranties, or guarantees any make not do companies member its copyrighted. and not ACI is and Institute the Cleaning of American Committee Outreach Consumer and the Affairs by developed was Sheet Fact This Product ACI FAQ DIRECTIONS FOR USE SAFETY FIRST SAFETY FIRST SAFETY • • • • • • • •

CLEAN FABRICS DIRECTIONS FORUSE • • • SMART CLEANING: FREQUENTLYCLEANING: SMART ASKEDQUESTIONS

A: Q: A: Q: english/safety.html visit Canada, in Center Control at: hotline toll-free nationwide, Center’s Control Poison U.S. the or label product the on emergency,number of the case call In gases. irritating release may mixtures chemical Some agents. cleaning household other or ammonia DO usage. product Washafter thoroughly hands products. of measuring or dispensing in used utensils any wash Thoroughly consumption. human for intended those particularly materials, other any of storage for containers detergent emptied use not Do containers. labeled original, their in products Keep use. to prior products all on instructions all follow and Read storage. and use during children of reach the of out products detergent all Keep number listed on the product label. product the on listed number the call questions, any have you If use. to product of amount appropriate the for label product the on directions Follow accordingly.laundry sort and garment, the in sewn label care manufacturer’s the follow always results, best For

drying, or dry cleaning dry or drying, washing, before labels product and care garment follow and fabrics. read fine Always other and garments cleaning locate. to easy be should and garment, the of life useful the during legible remain must It care. for directions with label permanent a attach manufacturer garment the that require North standards care. American important? they are why and labels care are What washables. items. colorfast and press, Use fabrics. man-made and natural – clothes moderately-soiled Use fading. from colors keep helps and thatcould shrink. Cold water lessens the amount ofwrinkling Use Garments can look the same, but need very different very need but same, the look can Garments labels. detergent and labels care garment follow always, As Whatwater temperature should useI inmy wash cycle? Care labels should provide accurate information for information accurate provide should labels Care NOT hot water hot water cold

COMBINE 1-800-222-1222 ondurable whites, badly-soiled, permanent for fine fabrics, sensitive colors, and items . LAUNDRY . Never use hot water on fine fine on water hot use Never . www.healthycleaning101.org/ To locate a provincial Poison provincial Toa locate

DETERGENTS toll-free warm water warm

with for for FABRIC CARE SYMBOLS

www.cleaninginstitute.org FABRIC CARE SYMBOLS CARE FABRIC fabric care symbols. For more about fabric care symbols, visit: symbols, care fabric about more For symbols. care fabric basic some are Below words. to addition in symbols feature may labels Care garments. washing before labels care fabric follow and read it’sto performance, important cleaning successful For www.cleaninginstitute.org/clean_living/guide_to_garment_care_symbols.aspx Instructions • A: Q: A: Q: Washing

DISPOSAL

full information regarding proper care or warnings. or care proper regarding information full removethe label after purchasing, you will not have the youcan review them before purchasing garment.a Ifyou There are several ways to reduce color fading: fading: color reduce to ways several are There so attached, labels care have to required are Garments How can I prevent my dark colors from fading? from colors dark my prevent I can How removed? be ever labels care Should • • • • • • DISPOSAL

paperboard containers they accept. they containers paperboard or of type what see to coordinator recycling local your with check containers, empty of disposing When • • are: products laundry household of disposal proper for follow to rules Good trash. the in or water) with (flushing drain the down of disposed safely be can products laundry household Most label. the on procedures disposal proper list will disposal in handling special require that Products systems. field tank-tile septic or treatment sewage in treated be to and drain” the “down go to formulated are detergents laundry Household

leave them inside out. inside them leave fabrics. the on depositing from detergents prevent to freely move pilling. of effect dulling the prevents and fabric the of abrasion reduces This instructions. label care To help prevent fading when drying clothes outdoors, clothes drying when fading Toprevent help damp. slightly when clothes remove dry; over Don’t darks. protecting for best is water Cold dryer.should or Clothes washer the overload Don’t drying. and washing before out inside Turngarments together.colors dark keep and laundry your Sort follow and read always garment, any treating Before manner suggested on the package. the on suggested manner the in or drain” the “down portions unused of Dispose neighbor,or or friend a to portions unused give or product the up Use Instructions Bleaching ? SM . It is intended for educational purposes educational for intended is It . [email protected] topic? this about question a Got Instructions Drying

.