Intermediates

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

2. The Laundry Basics • 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. • Select the most appropriate water temperature.

3. The Laundry Basics (cont’d) • 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.

4. 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?

5. Detergents • There are two types of detergents: 1. Liquid 2. 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.

6. Bleach • Bleach is a laundry additive used with detergents. Purposes: • helps keep clothes whiter • removes color from soil and stains • deodorizer and disinfectant The use of products are used solely as examples of specific information. The products do not signify endorsement to the exclusion of others.

7. Types of Bleach Chlorine: is a liquid is the strongest is best for removing stains. Oxygen: can be liquid or granular is milder is best used to prevent clothes from looking “dingy.” The use of products are used solely as examples of specific information. The products do not signify endorsement to the exclusion of others.

8. Using Bleach • Never pour bleach directly on the clothes. • Never use chlorine bleach on delicate fabrics like silk, acetate, or non-colorfast colors. The use of products are used solely as examples of specific information. The products do not signify endorsement to the exclusion of others.

9. 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

10. Fabric Softeners • Available as liquids, in sheets, or as part of the detergent. • Purpose: Soften fabric, minimize wrinkling, make ironing easier, and reduce drying time. • Do not overuse or the garment will become less absorbent. The use of products are used solely as examples of specific information. The products do not signify endorsement to the exclusion of others.

11. You Give it a Try For each of the situations, tell which products would be best used. GOOD LUCK!!!

12. Situation #1 You have a heavily soiled pair of colorfast, black work jeans. How will you wash them and what products will you use?

13. 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?

14. 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

15. Score Card Situation #1: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Situation #2: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________