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MANHATTAN, Kan. - Learning how to care for clothing can prolong its life. It also can make it look newer longer, and save time and money needed to replace it, said Marla Day, Kansas State University Research and Extension associate clothing specialist, who offered these easy-to-do tips:
* Read clothing care labels and follow directions.
* Treat stains promptly.
"If a stain is treated soon after it occurs, the chances of removing it are far greater. Since parents may not always be nearby when a stain occurs, teaching children to pre-treat stains can be helpful. One idea is to keep a stain-stick easily accessible in the kitchen or laundry area. Show children how to use it.
And, encourage them to tell you about stains immediately," the clothing specialist said.
If a stain is not successfully removed the first time, try again before drying a garment, which can "set" a stain and make it harder - if not impossible - to remove.
* Choose a detergent best suited for the job.
Liquid detergents work best when trying to remove protein-based stains, such as milk, eggs, blood and some grass stains. Liquid detergents dissolve easily in warm-to-cool water temperatures, and are easy to use for pre-treating stains.
Powder detergents are more effective in removing ground-in dirt and other clay soil stains. Powder detergents work best in hot water, which is more able to dissolve them.
* Dont overload the washer.
Clothes need room to agitate freely so that soil can be removed.
* Wash like colors and like clothing in the same load. Washing blue jeans in the same load with a white shirt may mean that you have a blue shirt, too.
"Jeans (and other dark-colored clothing) sometimes fade in the first few washings. Wash jeans with jeans, and other dark colors with the same or similar colored clothing to prevent damage," Day said.
* Encourage children to help care for their clothes.
Learning to hang clothing; place it in a dirty clothes basket; help sort it for the laundry, fold it afterward, or put it away are all tasks that even young children can complete. Establishing good habits can prolong the life of clothing, and also save parents time and money, the clothing specialist said.
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