Laundry 101

Step 1 Read the Tags

The first step to knowing how your garments should be cleaned is to read the international laundry care symbol on the tag of every garment.

Step 2 Sort the Clothes

Separate whites and light colours from darks and bright colours. Each colour group requires a different temperature. Separating them will ensure that colours do not ‘bleed’.

Your colour groups should include:

• Whites
• Pastels
• Dark and like colours
• Bright colours
• Multi-coloured items

Lint givers such as towels should be washed separately from lint catchers such as corduroy or wrinkle free fabrics. Sort garments according to similar fabric types.

Take care to wash new, dark coloured fabrics in a separate load to prevent ‘bleeding’ or running of colours.

White cotton items such as undershirts and underwear require hot water and fairly vigorous washing. More delicate items require a gentle, short wash cycle to prevent damaging the fabrics. Delicate items will last much longer if washed and dried in a mesh laundry bag to keep them from getting wrapped around other items.

Step 3 Prepare your Clothes and Treat Stains

• Always check the pockets and remove all items.
• Remove dirt caught in cuffs.
• Inspect clothes to see if there are any rips or tears that might get worse in the wash.
• Check for pins, belts or accessories you don’t want washed.

It is important to check for and treat any stains as quickly as possible to increase the chance of successfully removing the stain. A variety of stain removal products are available that can be applied directly to the stain. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Please check our “Stain Removal Guide” for specific stain removal instructions.

Step 4 Use the Right Detergent for the Right Machine

There are two types of washers – top loading and front loading and there are many different types of laundry detergents available. If you are using a front loading washing machine, you should be using ‘high efficiency’ or HE detergent. It is specially formulated with a low sudsing formula that allows for excellent wash quality with little suds. Look for this symbol on your detergent container. {Insert HE symbol}

Regardless of the type of detergent you choose, always follow the manufacturer’s measurement directions. Remember - more is not better! Detergent comes in regular, concentrated and 2X or 3X concentrated form. It is very important to note the difference and adjust the amount of detergent used. Too more detergent causes poorly rinsed clothes that can result in skin irritation. Oversudsing can also cause the washer to shut down.

For best results, use the automatic dispenser provided on the machine. If you are using a top loading washer, add the detergent and/or bleach directly into the tub and let it agitate for a few minutes before you add the clothes.

Please check our “Choosing and Using the Right Products” area for more detail.

Step 5 Choose a Wash Cycle

Step 6 Drying

• Always check and clean the lint filter to maximize air flow.
• Shake clothes loosely before placing in dryer.
• Do not overload the dryer. The clothes need to tumble. One wash load usually equals one dryer load.
• Check to ensure stains were removed prior to drying the item. If a stain remains, retreat the stain and rewash.
• Always check the labels. Certain articles should not be put in a dryer.
• Never put rubber, vinyl, leather or any kind of shoes in a dryer.
• Remove clothes promptly from dryer to reduce wrinkles.