Intermediates

Joy Jordan, Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist and Tiffany Browning 4-H Project Coordinator, Department of Family, Youth & Community Sciences.

The Laundry Basics

1. Read the garment label and product label before starting.

2. Carefully sort your clothing.3. Check your garment for stains and treat

them if necessary.4. Select the most appropriate water

temperature.

The Laundry Basics (cont’d)

5. Select the best size and fabric cycle for your wash load.

6. Use the recommended amount of detergent.

7. Remove your clothes promptly after they have finished in the washer and dryer.

Laundry Products

There are numerous products on the market right now to help you clean your

clothing.

How do you know which one is best for your clothes?

Detergents

• There are two types of detergents:1. Liquid2. Granular.

• Granular detergent can sometimes leave a white residue on your clothes.

• Use a detergent booster to keep your clothes whiter and brighter

The use of products are used solely as examples of specific information. The products do not signify endorsement to the exclusion of others.

Bleach• Bleach is a laundry additive used with detergents.

Purposes:

The use of products are used solely as examples of specific information. The products do not signify endorsement to the exclusion of others.

• helps keep clothes whiter • removes color from soil and stains • deodorizer and disinfectant

Types of Bleach

Chlorine:

The use of products are used solely as examples of specific information. The products do not signify endorsement to the exclusion of others.

Oxygen:

is a liquidis the strongest

is best for removing stains.

can be liquid or granularis milderis best used to prevent clothes from looking “dingy.”

Using Bleach

• Never pour bleach directly on the clothes.

The use of products are used solely as examples of specific information. The products do not signify endorsement to the exclusion of others.

• Never use chlorine bleach on delicate fabrics like silk, acetate, or non-colorfast colors.

Laundry Bar Soaps

• Best used when pre-treating stains and heavily soiled clothes.

• Can be used to hand wash hosiery and lingerie.

• Should be used with soft water

Fabric Softeners

• Available as liquids, in sheets, or as part of the detergent.

The use of products are used solely as examples of specific information. The products do not signify endorsement to the exclusion of others.

• Do not overuse or the garment will become less absorbent.

• Purpose: Soften fabric, minimize wrinkling, make ironing easier, and reduce drying time.

You Give it a Try

For each of the situations, tell which products would be best used.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Situation #1

You have a heavily soiled pair of colorfast, black work jeans. How will you

wash them and what products will you use?

Situation #2

You have a red polyester blouse with a few spots on it. What products will you

use and how will you launder it?

ANSWERS

• Situation #1 : Pre-treat with bar of soap and wash in the machine using a strong detergent and color-safe bleach.

• Situation #2 : Pre-treat stains with a stain remover and then wash with similar clothes

Score CardSituation #1: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Situation #2: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________