Attack those difficult laundry problems with the right laundry aids.
There are products to solve every kind of wash problem, attack every
kind of stain, work in every type and temperature of water. Which products
should you choose? Here's a quick review to help you find the ones best
for you.
Bleaches
Enzyme Presoaks
Fabric Softeners
Prewash Soil and Stain Removers
Starches, Fabric Finishes and Sizings
Water Softeners
Benefits
Convert soils into colorless, soluble particles which are easily
removed by detergents, then carried away in the wash water.
Brighten and whiten fabrics; help remove stubborn stains.
Types
Sodium hypochlorite bleaches (also called
chlorine or liquid household bleach) are
the more powerful laundry bleaches; they disinfect, as well as clean and
whiten. They work on many whites and colorfast
washables _ but not on wools
or silks. Oxygen
(color-safe) bleaches are more gentle, working safely on all
washable fabrics. They work best in maintaining
whiteness, not in restoring it.
Techniques
For Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach, read the
label and dilute as directed. For best results, add 5
minutes after the wash cycle has begun to agitate in order to avoid
destroying enzymes and fluorescent whiteners in the detergent.
For Oxygen Bleach, add directly to the wash water before the
clothes are added. Do not pour
powdered bleach directly on wet clothes. Most
effective in warm-to-hot water.
IMPORTANT: Have doubts whether a garment is safe to bleach?
Don't guess _ you may be sorry!
Read the garment's care label for
specific instructions. Test first for colorfastness in an inconspicuous
area by following the instructions on bleach package label.
Benefits
Especially effective in removing protein stains, like baby formula,
blood, body fluids, dairy products, eggs and grass. When added
to the wash water, they also boost the cleaning power of the
detergent.
Type
Powders
Technique
Presoak laundry in the washer, sink or a
pail before washing.
Follow the label directions.
Benefits
Decrease static cling, which is especially useful when washing
permanent-press and synthetic fibers. Make fabrics softer and
fluffier... reduce drying time ... reduce wrinkling ... make ironing
easier.
Types
Liquid fabric softeners go into the final rinse water; one type can
also be used on a cloth and tossed into the dryer. Follow the
label directions.
Softener sheets go into the dryer.
Packet-type softeners attach to the fin of the dryer drum.
Techniques
When adding liquid softeners to the rinse water, be sure to dilute
first. Do not pour directly on fabrics, because this may cause
staining or spotting.
IMPORTANT: Fabric softeners may reduce the effectiveness of
flame retardancy on fabrics, like those used in children's
sleepwear.
Benefits
Effective in pretreating heavily soiled and stained garments,
especially those made from polyester fibers. Work well on
oil-based stains like animal fats, body soils, cooking oils,
cosmetics and motor oils. Soap bars work well on fabric
softener, perspiration and tobacco stains.
Types
Liquids, sprays, gels, sticks and soap bars
Techniques
It's best to treat the stain as quickly
as possible. Use liquid, gel
and spray removers just before washing the garment. If the
stain still remains, apply a second treatment, rubbing
directly into the stain.
When using the stick type, immediately rub the stick on the
fresh stain, then set it aside and wash
later _ even as much as
a week later.
IMPORTANT: Do not use prewash soil and
stain removers
on neon and fluorescent colors. The colors might fade or
run.
Benefits
Give body to fabrics ... make fabrics more soil-resistant ...
make ironing easier.
Types
Powders, liquids and sprays.
Techniques
Use starches on cottons and cotton blends ... use fabric
finishes and sizings on synthetic fabrics.
Benefits
Help detergents do their job better by inactivating calcium
and magnesium minerals which make water hard.
Types
Powders and liquids.
Techniques
Add powders to the wash or rinse water. Add liquids to
rinse water only.
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