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Two things are at a
premium for everyone these days- time and money.
No one wants to spend more of either one of them
on something that they dont need or want to be
doing.
Doing laundry, on the one hand, is a necessary
evil. Yet, on the other hand, it provides the
opportunity for pleasant experiences. Our
clothing is a gateway to memorable occasions.
How we look precludes compliments and admiring
gazes.
Doing our laundry correctly ensures that our
outfits are pristine in appearance and
therefore, worthy of every compliment we
receive. Stains that have not been properly
treated mar the appearance of an outfit.
Therefore, it is extremely important to treat
stain removal seriously.
Below are a few vitally important tips to
stain removal:
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Take action
immediately.
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Blot or soak up
any excess substance from the garment
quickly. |
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Read the care
label of your garment for instructions
on cleaning it.
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Use the specific
directions as closely as possible for
removing the stain.
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Follow the
specific instructions on any cleaning
agents that you use.
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Identify the
stains origination if possible, and use
stain specific tips for its removal.
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Always work from
the outside of the stain towards the
center of it.
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If the stain is
stubborn, massage it as gently as
possible to aid in its removal.
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If possible, test
a piece of the fabric in an
inconspicuous place before applying any
cleaning solution.
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If you can not
possibly treat the stain right away, use
a pre-treating stain stick.
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If possible, line
dry the clothing after rinsing it
thoroughly. Then, if the stain is gone,
re-wash the garment per the labels
instructions.
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Here are a few equally
vital tips on what not to do:
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Never wait until
the next day to begin treatment of the
stain. |
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Do not rub the
stain as this spreads the stain, and
creates a larger area of the fabric to
treat. |
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Never use hot
water on a stain because this will set
the stain. |
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Avoid mixing
cleaning solutions to treat a stain.
Some combinations are toxic.
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Do not use bare
hands to apply solvents or bleach.
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Avoid inhaling the
fumes from any cleaning agents that you
use. |
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Do not place the
garment in the dryer if you think the
stain has not been completely removed.
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Do not attempt to
remove the stain yourself if the garment
label indicates dry clean only.
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Following these quick
and easy rules will keep your wardrobe looking
good and you looking even better!
By Susan M. Keenan
2005
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