READ THE CARE INSTRUCTION TAG CAREFULLY. If there's no care tag, compare the item to others you may have and follow its care instructions. If it says "Dry-Clean Only or Dry-Cleaning Suggested", just do it. Oh and please choose a dry-cleaner that uses non-toxic methods.
• STEP 1 Look for loose buttons or any necessary mending or repairs and have this done before laundering to prevent further damage. Check each pocket for anything that may ruin your ugliest wear. Sort your laundry into the following piles:
COLOR: one for whites and pastels, one for darks, one for brights.
FABRIC: separate lightweight fabrics (silk or rayon) from heavier (denim) fabrics.
DEGREE of SOIL: Separate any items that may require pre-soaking or a pre-wash product. Remember to check these items individually as your remove them from the wash - if the stain is still there, wash again until the stain is gone. Drying before the stain is gone could make it permanent. Work and play clothes should be washed separately from those you lounge around in. Be sure zippers are closed to prevent damage to other clothes. Button all buttons so that the item can be either hung or folded immediately from the dryer - less chance for wrinkles overall.
• STEP 2 Before adding clothes, fill the machine with the appropriate temperature water while stirring in the correct amount of detergent and/or bleach. Choose the appropriate detergent and/or bleach for each load. Read the label for each product and follow instructions, especially the amount for size of load. DO NOT OVERLOAD. The clothes will not get cleaned nor rinsed well if there is not enough room for the machine action to work.
• STEP 3 Remove and shake out each item from the machine as soon as final spin cycle is done to prevent the setting of wrinkles. Set the dryer to an appropriate setting for each load. Cottons need higher temperatures, rayons, silk and poly fibers need less. Add a dryer sheet to each load to soften the load while preventing static.
• STEP 4 Pay attention to items that may dry first and remove items as they dry so that other items will dry faster. Fold and/or hang immediately upon removal. Press the hanging items against each other to maintain as flat a profile as possible. Be sure to maintain this while putting them into the closet - Fugly says the flatter your clothes hang, the less ironing required.
