| Garnment Care Tips | | |
| 1 | The care label on a sweater indicates it is hand washable. Can I wash it in a machine on a delicate cycle? | | 2 | How should I clean my rayon garments? | | 3 | Does frequent dry cleaning shorten the life of a garment? | | 4 | How can I stop dark clothes from fading when I wash them? | | 5 | How can I remove burnt starch residue from an iron? | | 6 | Is there any way to determine how much a garment will shrink? | | 7 | What can be done to minimize pilling? | | 8 | Are fabric softeners always OK to use? | | 9 | Why do some designers and manufacturers use blended fibers? | | 10 | What are enzyme cleaners? | | 11 | How can I keep my whites white and the bright colors bright? | | | | | | The care label on a sweater indicates it is hand washable. Can I wash it in a machine on a delicate cycle?
There is some risk involved in using any care process not recommended by the manufacturer. Hand washing involves manual removal of soils with water, detergent, and a gentle squeezing action. A care label that calls for machine washing, in a delicate or gentle cycle, indicates the soil can be removed with water, detergent or soap, slow agitation, and reduced time in a washing machine. Hand washing is a restrictive care process that minimizes the amount of abrasion a garment receives in cleaning. If hand-washable garments are machine washed in a gentle cycle, agitation may be further minimized by turning the garment inside out & putting the item in a net bag. Even this procedure is in violation of the care label instruction, however, and places responsibility for damages on the launderer rather than the manufacturer.
| | | | | | How should I clean my rayon garments? First we must remember that rayon is a manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose derived from wood pulp or cotton linters. It is absorbent and comfortable to wear. There are different forms of the fiber know as rayon, viscose, cuprammonium, high-wet modulus and lyocel sold as Tencel. With the exception of lyocel, rayon is very sensitive to water. Many dyes applied to rayon are not colorfast and will bleed or migrate upon contact with moisture. In addition, manufacturers often add sizing to rayon in order to achieve a desired body or drape. Some sizings are water-soluble, and washing will distort the shape of the garment. Dry cleaning is recommended for most rayon garments. Although substantially similar in chemical composition to rayon, lyocel can be either dry-cleaned or washed. However, when caring for garments made of lyocel it is important to follow the care instructions carefully. If a garment made of lyocel is washed when should have been dry cleaned, it may result in excessive shrinkage and a wrinkled appearance. | | | | | | Does frequent dry cleaning shorten the life of a garment? On the contrary, frequent cleaning prolongs the life of a garment. Not only do stains set with age, making the garment unwearable, but ground-in dirt and soil act as an abrasive, like sandpaper, causing rapid wear of fibers. Body oils and sweat can yellow, stain and even fade the colors. Also, insects are attracted to soiled clothes and will cause further damage. | | | | | | How can I stop dark clothes from fading when I wash them? You may be able to extend the look of the blacks and brightly colored garments by the following - Use Woolite® Dark Laundry fabric wash, which is made to minimize fading of dark colors.
- If only mildly dirty, wash in small washer load, or wash separately on delicate, or hand wash.
- Turn the garments inside out to wash. This reduces the amount of abrasion the clothes experience during washing.
- Use mild detergent and avoid using too much detergent. Harsh detergents are hard on dyes.
- Do not leave in the dryer too long. Take out when still slightly damp. The heat in the dryer ages fabrics.
- Dyes are also affected by sunlight, and from abrasive wear.
| | | | | | How can I remove burnt starch residue from an iron?
Try heating equal parts of vinegar and salt in a small pan. Rub the solution on a cool iron, and wipe dry. | | | | | | Is there any way to determine how much a garment will shrink? Any fabric can be expected to shrink about 1 to 3 percent, even dry clean only garments. Manufactured fibers will shrink the least, and natural fibers the most. The shrinkage of natural fibers is often controlled during the manufacturing process, by washing and preshrinking the fabric before it is made into a garment. Natural fibers which are not preshrunk, and some manufactured fibers such as rayon and acetate (both of which are made using natural plant matter as part of their ingredients) can shrink significantly...even several sizes. Always read the care label before buying a garment. | | | | | | What can be done to minimize pilling? Pilling of a fabric occurs when groups of short or broken fibers on the surface of the fabric become tangled together in a tiny ball called a pill. Pilling results from rubbing (abrasion) of the fabric during normal wear and use. While pilling cannot be eliminated it can be minimized by proper handling during washing of the fabric/garment. Before laundering, turn the garment inside and out. Use a slower agitation and a shorter wash cycle. And, remove the garment from the dryer as soon as it is dry. To remove any pills on fabric, pull the fabric taut over a curved surface and carefully cut off the pill with scissors or shave the fabric surface with a safety razor. There are also battery operated pill removers, which shave the pills much like an electric razor. However, it's important to understand that once you remove the pills, they can come back. So you may find that you'll have to remove pills from time to time to keep your garment looking fresh and new.
| | | | | | Are fabric softeners always OK to use? Take a walk through a display of high tech apparel and you´ll find a number of care labels that say "no fabric softeners." Many high performance fabrics and finishes, including microfibers, allow the fabric to breathe and transport moisture away from the skin to the outer surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate. This keeps the wearer dry and comfortable. The "fatty" material in a fabric softener attaches directly to the fabric and makes the fabric feel softer. However, fabric softeners can buildup over time, and can reduce the ability of the fabric to manage moisture and breathe. Some water and stain repellents can be adversely affected by the use of fabric softeners. Frequent use of fabric softeners can also reduce the absorbency of cotton towels. The web site of Cotton Inc. provides the following tip for consumers: "Use fabric softeners occasionally. Overuse will cause your towels to stiffen and become less absorbent."
| | | | | | Why do some designers and manufacturers use blended fibers?
Blending of fibers is done to enhance the performance and improve the aesthetic qualities of fabric. Fibers are selected and blended in certain proportions so the fabric will retain the best characteristics of each fiber. Blending can be done with natural and man-made fibers, but is usually done with various combinations of man-made fibers or man-made and natural fibers. For example, when polyester is blended with wool, the fabric retains the beautiful drape and feel of 100% wool, and the polyester adds durability. In some blends the polyester even makes the fabric machine washable. | | | | | | What are enzyme cleaners? Enzymes are a type of protein found in living matter. Used in laundry products, they have the ability to breakdown protein type stains, such as blood, meat juice, dairy products, baby formula, and vegetable proteins. Enzymes contain amylase (for starch), protease (for protein), and lipase (for fats). Be sure to check detergent ingredients, because some do contain enzymes. Enzyme presoak products include Axion and Biz Bleach and work best at warmer temperatures and should not be allowed to dry on the fabric or they could leave a stain. | | | | | | How can I keep my whites white and the bright colors bright? There are several reasons why clothes loose their brightness. Common reasons include the use of too much/too little detergent, use of too large of washer loads, inadequate rinsing, and using the wrong water temperature. Read the detergent package for the correct amount of detergent for your type of washer. If the washer is too full, there's more rubbing/abrasion on the clothes, which dulls the fabric/colors. So, don't overload ,and use the right amount of water for the load. Regarding the temperature, follow the care instructions on the garment label. Periodic use of appropriate fabric bleach (all fabric or chlorine, as appropriate) and/or laundry boasters will help keep clothes bright. Sometimes changing detergents may help. If you live in an area with hard water you can use a water softener, either a whole house system or use a product like borax. If your white clothes have already yellowed wash them separately & try adding vinegar or a calcium, lime and rust remover to your rinse cycle. If you use this method rinse in warm water and then rinse again with fabric softener. Removing these minerals will help restore the fluffiness to your clothes as well. Many clothes have optical brighteners or fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) applied, which help brighten colors. If the FWA are damaged by sunlight, bleach, or simply age, you can look for a color safe bleach with optical brighteners. If you look at you white clothes under a black light and they look gray or blotchy you have probably lost your optical brighteners. Prolong your garments by sending them to Phoenix Cleaners from the start! Top
| | California French Bulldog
|
Mostly Cloudy (87oF • 31oC)
Dry Cleaners 
