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Bosch

There are plenty of tricks to keep your everyday laundry items clean, but seasonal garments can require a little extra love and care.  

<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">Of all the household chores we do each day, laundry seems like one of the easiest. You put the clothes in the washer, add a little detergent, press the start button, and let the machine do its thing. It&nbsp;might seem&nbsp;simple enough, but there&rsquo;s more than meets the eye when it comes to protecting your clothes.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">If you&rsquo;re not careful, routine washing can take its toll on your fabrics, so it&rsquo;s important to be aware of the subtleties that produce a perfect load of laundry. There are&nbsp;plenty of&nbsp;tricks&nbsp;to&nbsp;keep your&nbsp;everyday&nbsp;laundry and linens in brand-new condition,&nbsp;but seasonal garments can&nbsp;require a little extra love and care.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><img alt="woman holding a stack of clean laundry " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/spring-garments-header.jpg" title="PeopleImages" width="700" /></p>
</div>
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<h3 class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><strong>Spring is in the&nbsp;Air&nbsp;</strong></h3>
</div>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">As we enter a new season and anxiously await the arrival of spring,&nbsp;we&rsquo;re all eager to trade our scarves and flannels for short-sleeve shirts and dresses.&nbsp;Most of our springtime garments have probably been boxed away or kept buried deep in our closet for the winter, so after three long months, it&rsquo;s about time to throw those clothes in the wash.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">After enough time&nbsp;stored away, our clothing will start to mimic the smell of our closet or dresser drawers. The material absorbs into our fabrics and can leave a lingering odor.&nbsp;If your&nbsp;clothes ever resemble&nbsp;a musty smell like the one at grandma&rsquo;s house, this is probably why.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">You don&rsquo;t want to put on your favorite spring outfit for it to smell like&nbsp;mothballs&mdash;instead, run a quick wash cycle so your clothes can be fresh and clean for the new season. Follow along for these simple yet effective&nbsp;tips for washing springtime&nbsp;garments.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<h3 class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><strong>Keeping&nbsp;Whites White&nbsp;</strong></h3>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">Luckily, spring is the time&nbsp;we&nbsp;get to wear white again, but if you&rsquo;re wearing white as often as you can before Labor Day, you&rsquo;re bound to end up with a few stains along the way.&nbsp;The main cause for whites turning a gray or yellowish hue is not sorting them correctly before starting the&nbsp;wash. People tend to have&nbsp;fewer&nbsp;white clothing items to wash, so they casually toss them in with the rest of their colored garments.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">Unfortunately, some&nbsp;of the most common and popular fabric types&nbsp;aren't colorfast, so their dyes&nbsp;end&nbsp;up in the&nbsp;wash bin&nbsp;and settle on other&nbsp;lighter-colored fabrics. Cotton is the biggest culprit of this, which is why it&rsquo;s important to wash certain items inside out or sort the items that should be washed&nbsp;separately.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">If you&rsquo;re washing a white springtime blouse or pair of pants, running a cycle with heavily soiled items like gym clothes&nbsp;or&nbsp;old bedsheets&nbsp;can leave your fresh clothing looking dull and dingy. It will require more detergent than you&rsquo;d normally use because the&nbsp;dirt particles, dyes, and perspiration can bleed into your white fabrics much easier.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><img alt="woman wearing all white" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/spring-garments-whites.jpg" title="CoffeeAndMilk" width="700" /></p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<h3 class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><strong>What to&nbsp;Do&nbsp;</strong></h3>
</div>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">Always wash whites separately.&nbsp;To retain the color and keep your whites looking new, it&rsquo;s best to wash white items together on&nbsp;a warm or hot wash cycle.&nbsp;Choose&nbsp;a&nbsp;detergent with a bleach alternative and increase the cleaning power of&nbsp;the&nbsp;detergent by adding a laundry booster&nbsp;like&nbsp;borax,&nbsp;baking soda, or&nbsp;distilled&nbsp;white vinegar to&nbsp;maintain whiteness, remove odors, and soften&nbsp;clothes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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<h3 class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><strong>Treat Stains&nbsp;</strong></h3>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">After unboxing all your short-sleeve items, you might discover stains from last season that went unnoticed.&nbsp;To remove perspiration and&nbsp;any food-related stains, pretreat with liquid detergent, dishwashing liquid, or shampoo&nbsp;before washing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">Gently rub the&nbsp;cleaning&nbsp;liquid into the fabric using a&nbsp;soft cloth or a soft-bristle brush. Tackle colored stains&nbsp;like food spills or&nbsp;underarm yellowing by applying undiluted liquid oxygen bleach directly to the&nbsp;area. Leave to absorb for no more than five minutes, rub into the fabric, and wash immediately.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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<h3 class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><strong>The Right&nbsp;Water&nbsp;</strong></h3>
</div>
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<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">Some stronger fabrics,&nbsp;like flannel&nbsp;or&nbsp;denim,&nbsp;can withstand harder water, but for more delicate springtime wears made of cotton, satin, or&nbsp;polyester,&nbsp;hard&nbsp;water could do damage.&nbsp;Hard water is water that&rsquo;s rich in calcium&nbsp;and magnesium,&nbsp;which&nbsp;can&nbsp;reduce the effectiveness of common household detergents&nbsp;and affect how your whites emerge from each wash&nbsp;cycle.&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">A tell-tale sign of high&nbsp;calcium and magnesium&nbsp;content in your water is a reddish stain in your toilet or along the edge of your bathtub.&nbsp;If this is the case, try using an iron-removing cleaning solution. You'll want to avoid chlorine bleach because the chemicals in bleach combined with iron and hot water can cause yellowing. Oxygen bleach is more effective at treating your clothes and it&rsquo;s better for the&nbsp;environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">If the water in your home is&nbsp;particularly hard, your white fabrics might not ever return to their pristine color unless you install a water&nbsp;softener, which helps to remove harsh minerals and particles from the water.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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<h3 class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><strong>Keep&nbsp;Brights&nbsp;Bright&nbsp;</strong></h3>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">With spring&rsquo;s arrival, we should be seeing much more of our friend Mr. Sun. The golden rays of sunshine certainly feel good on our skin, but natural light also helps to protect our fabrics. Drying certain materials can cause fading, shrinking,&nbsp;or warping, so if possible, hang your clothing&nbsp;items&nbsp;outside&nbsp;to dry&nbsp;to&nbsp;help maintain their original appearance.&nbsp;You don&rsquo;t want to leave your clothing outside for too long or under direct sunlight on a scorching day, but the gentle rays of the springtime sunshine can be great at treating your clothes without over-drying.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">As with&nbsp;brighter clothing items,&nbsp;hot water and the churning action inside the machine can cause some typical wear and tear. Deep, brighter colors will shed over time and some color loss is inevitable, but the&nbsp;goal&nbsp;is to keep this to a minimum.&nbsp;To&nbsp;keep your&nbsp;brights&nbsp;as&nbsp;bright as can be,&nbsp;separate your laundry by color depth and intensity, or into two separate groups:&nbsp;bright&nbsp;colors&nbsp;and pastels.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">Wash brand-new&nbsp;clothing&nbsp;on their own for the first&nbsp;cycle or two as new clothes are more likely to bleed significant amounts of dye. Before you throw them in the wash, turn your items inside out so the&nbsp;color on the front of your clothing better retains its bright appearance.&nbsp;And don&rsquo;t forget to pay attention&nbsp;to&nbsp;your machine&rsquo;s settings. Select&nbsp;the shortest cycle appropriate for the&nbsp;particular soil&nbsp;level and fabric material you&rsquo;re washing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><img alt="bright t-shirts on hangers" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/spring-garments-brights.jpg" title="Studio Light and Shade" width="700" /></p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<h3 class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><strong>What if&nbsp;Colors Run?&nbsp;</strong></h3>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">If any items bleed onto your springtime garments,&nbsp;vinegar won&rsquo;t do much good at this point, but to save your fabrics, do not put any stained items into the dryer. The heat from the dryer will cause the stain to set in, potentially causing permanent&nbsp;discoloration or&nbsp;damage.&nbsp;Instead,&nbsp;wash the stained items again separately or treat the stain by hand. If&nbsp;you don't apply heat, the&nbsp;dye color&nbsp;should come out&nbsp;with an additional wash.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<h3 class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0"><strong>Care for Your Clothes&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></h3>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW124581491 BCX0">
<p class="Paragraph SCXW124581491 BCX0">Proper fabric care is important year-round, but to keep your springtime wears&nbsp;looking their best, it takes a little extra&nbsp;patience and&nbsp;attention to detail&mdash;and&nbsp;an efficient washing machine couldn&rsquo;t hurt, either. If you&rsquo;ve noticed additional wear and tear caused by your washer, it&nbsp;could be a sign that it&rsquo;s time for a new one. Give us a call, shop online, or visit our store to discover our entire collection of laundry appliances and cleaning accessories. Consider it spring cleaning.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</div>

Washing Your Springtime Garments

Knowing how hot or cold you should wash your clothes is crucial for achieving a perfect wash. See how easy it is in this blog!

<p>Not to alarm you, but accidentally washing your favorite article of clothing in the wrong water temperature can cause them to shrink, stretch, fade, and have a shorter lifespan overall. Talk about a major wardrobe malfunction.</p>
<p>Thankfully, your washer was developed to help keep your favorite garments wearable for as long as possible, and like all appliances, new innovations are constantly being created to help deliver better results. However, those results depend largely on whether you know how to operate your washer correctly&mdash;and that includes learning the right wash temperatures.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img alt="Shot from inside washer of woman screaming with hands on head " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/angry-woman-washer.jpg" title="iStock Credit: erenme" width="700" /></p>
<h2>The Risk of Using the Wrong Wash Temperature</h2>
<p>First, know what&rsquo;s at stake. While a single stretched tank or discolored shirt might be an annoying inconvenience, it&rsquo;s not end of the world. But when your clothes are <em>constantly</em> coming out of washes warped, faded, and shrunken, it can become a costly thing to have to replace.</p>
<p>With trends such as the <a href="https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-slow-fashion" target="_blank">slow fashion</a> movement pressing the issue of sustainability, consumers are become more and more aware of wasteful practices, and selecting the wrong wash temperature&mdash;which can damage clothes, forcing them to need to be replaced&mdash;could be a contributor.&nbsp;</p>
<p>By selecting the right wash temperature, you are doing double service: You&rsquo;re helping your wallet and helping the Earth out.</p>
<p><img alt="Father and son smile while they unload clothes from a front-loading washer " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/father-son-smile-laundry.jpg" title="iStock Credit: Moyo Studio" width="700" /></p>
<h2>Check the Label</h2>
<p>The best way to know the right water temperature for a load is to simply check the label. Wait&mdash;we know! Reading laundry labels feels like trying to decode a wall of hieroglyphics, but luckily, there are multiple ways of finding the info you need, like this easy <a href="https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-read-a-clothing-label-to-make-your-stuff-last-longer/" target="_blank">laundry symbol guide</a>.</p>
<p>For even more convenience, consider printing out the guide and hanging it in an area that&rsquo;s easy to access in your laundry area. If at any time you have doubts, check the board and wash with confidence.</p>
<p><img alt="Image of a standard wash label " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/clothing-label.jpg" title="iStock Credit: lappes" width="700" /></p>
<h2>Know Your Wash Temperatures</h2>
<p>If only adulting were more like Goldilocks, then testing which wash temperature is too hot, too cold, and just right would feel like less tedious. The truth is, the average washer might just call it safe and wash with cold water, which might work <em>most</em> of the time. Of course, each wash temperature comes with its own unique advantages and disadvantages, such as the following.</p>
<h3>Cold Wash Cycles</h3>
<p>Before we mention anything else, we have to vouch for cold-water washes when it comes to energy efficiency. The average washing machine uses up to 90 percent of its energy just to heat up water. That means washing clothes in cold water can save you some serious bucks over time, and that beats finding random dollars in your pockets any day.</p>
<p><strong>Cold-temp wash pros:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Keeps clothes from fading</li>
<li>Prevents stretching</li>
<li>Easy on delicates such as linen and lace</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cold-temp wash cons:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Not as effective at eliminating germs as warm or hot water</li>
<li>Harder time dissolving powder detergent</li>
</ul>
<h3>Warm Wash Cycles</h3>
<p>Did you know denim is best washed in warm water? While hot water and hot drying could potentially shrink jeans, warm-water washes provide just enough heat to lift soils and messes better than cold water. Of course, there are always exceptions.</p>
<p><strong>Warm-temp wash pros:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Best on man-made fabrics, including knits and denim</li>
<li>Good for bright colors</li>
<li>Best for clothes with permanent-press recommendation</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Warm-temp wash cons:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Can set certain stains, such as blood or sweat</li>
<li>Can shrink natural fabrics, including cotton, wool, and linen</li>
</ul>
<h3>Hot Wash Cycles</h3>
<p>No other wash temperature kills bacteria as effectively as a hot wash. At the same rate, hot-temp washes will shrink certain fabrics and bleed colors.</p>
<p><strong>Hot-temp wash pros:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Best for heavily soiled items, like towels and bedding</li>
<li>Best at sanitizing clothes</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Hot-temp wash cons:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Most costly</li>
<li>Can cause colors to fade</li>
<li>Can be tough on delicates</li>
</ul>
<p><img alt="woman smiles as she takes clothes out of front-loading washer " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/woman-smile-washer.jpg" title="iStock Credit: aquaArts studio" width="700" /></p>
<h2>Final Tips</h2>
<p>Now that you know a little bit more about the benefits of washing clothes at the right temperature, you can go ahead and pocket these tidbits, too.</p>
<ul>
<li>Water from tap is vulnerable to the elements, making it hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. Washers with automatic temperature control automatically sense and adjust the temperatures so the water is the correct degree.</li>
<li>The colder the wash water, the more detergent you need for a proper wash.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Selecting a cold-temp rinse cycle works for all washes, and is more cost-effective</li>
</ul>
<h2>Loads of Savings</h2>
<p>While knowledge is priceless, a washer that keeps your little black dresses or favorite band tee in your closet and out the donate pile is equally as valuable. If your current washer&rsquo;s performance is awash, it might be time to upgrade! <a href="https://www.carlsappliance.net/catalog/laundry/" target="_blank">Shop our selection of laundry appliances today</a> to discover <a href="https://www.carlsappliance.net/catalog/washers/" target="_blank">the latest washers</a> with performance that meets your standards!&nbsp;</p>

Are Your Clothes at Risk Washing at the Wrong Temperature?

Get stain-free linens every time with this handy washing guide. 

<p><img alt="four friends clean up the table after eating" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/dinner-cleanup.jpg" title="iStock Credit: hobo_018" width="700" /></p>
<p>The guests have gone home, the holiday has come to a close, and you&rsquo;re left to do the worst part: clean. The table is strewn with crumbs, dirty cloth napkins, and food-stained place mats. Unless you&rsquo;re in an animated movie, you probably don&rsquo;t have woodland creatures or elves to help you.</p>
<p>Don&rsquo;t sweat it! We&rsquo;re here to help.</p>
<p>Your table setting creates a welcoming ambiance and sets the mood for the entire event, whatever it is you may be hosting. We want to make sure your linens and cloth napkins look crisp, so your guests feel like they&rsquo;re dining at a 5-star restaurant.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Let&rsquo;s walk through what you need to know to get your table linens spotless and fresh so you can be sure they&rsquo;re ready for the next time company is over.</p>
<h2>Check for Stubborn Stains</h2>
<p>Spills happen. It&rsquo;s a part of life. But that doesn&rsquo;t mean they have to be a permanent part of your linens. There&rsquo;s really no need to remember that time Uncle Bill got too excited and spilled his drink by being reminded of it every time you take the tablecloth out of the cupboard.</p>
<p>Identify larger stains before you haul your linens off to the washer. Take a dab of strong detergent and gently rub it into the stain with your finger. Let this sit for about 15 minutes before you toss it into the washer.</p>
<p><img alt="spilled coffee on white tablecloth " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/tablecloth-coffee-stain.jpg" title="iStock Credit: :LauriPatterson" width="700" /></p>
<h2>Check Your Washer Settings</h2>
<p>Washers have really come a long way since the days of washing everything by hand in a bucket. Okay, that might be a pretty obvious statement when &ldquo;washboard&rdquo; makes you think of abs before the old cleaning tool. Nevertheless, washers have amazing features designed to eliminate stains for you.</p>
<p>For deep, angry stains, cold water is the way to go. Run a cold cycle for those stubborn spots!</p>
<p>Look for features like Steam Clean or dedicated stain removal cycles. If your washer is missing the right touch to make your stains disappear, stop by. We&rsquo;ll set you up with a washer that will do everything you want and more!</p>
<h2>Ironing of the Details</h2>
<p>After your linens are done washing and drying, don&rsquo;t let them sit! That&rsquo;s wrinkle town, and nobody comes out of there the same. Grab the iron and your ironing board and get ready to smooth out the wrinkles that were created in the dryer. A few minutes spent here with a clean iron and your linens will be ready for storage.</p>
<p>Be sure to check the label on your tablecloth and fabrics. You may need to dial back the heat on your iron and cool-iron your fabrics. If your tablecloth features any festive tinsel, avoid ironing over that as it could melt.</p>
<p>Of course, your dryer may have settings to reduce wrinkles by keeping your fabrics tumbling until you open the door and remove them. If you&rsquo;re not sure, <a href="https://www.carlsappliance.net/contacts/" target="_blank">give us a call</a>. Our experts will be happy to help you figure out the <a href="https://www.carlsappliance.net/catalog/dryers/" target="_blank">right dryer to complement your needs</a>.</p>
<p><img alt="woman, out of view, irons a tablecloth " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/tablecloth-ironing.jpg" title="iStock Credit: webphotographeer" width="700" /></p>
<h2>Storage</h2>
<p>There&rsquo;s more to storing your tablecloths than you might think. Sure, you could just toss them into the closet or cupboard and forget about them until you need them again. But that&rsquo;s a recipe for needing to rewash and re-iron them before your guests arrive.</p>
<p>First, make sure your linens are dry&mdash;and we mean dry. Damp linens stored away can invite mildew, and that&rsquo;s just not appetizing. If your dryer is up to par, this step should be a breeze.</p>
<p>Now give them a nice, tidy fold and store them in an organized fashion in a well-ventilated area.</p>
<p>Wherever you store your linens, be sure to keep them nice and smooth so as to not undo all that ironing action from earlier.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><img alt="couple cleans up the table after eating" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_appliances/tablecloth-dinner-cleanup.jpg" title="iStock Credit: JackF" width="700" /></p>
<p>There you have it! You&rsquo;ve mastered the art of treating table linen stains, ironing out the wrinkles, and storing them for next time. If you ran into a snag with your washer or dryer, we can help with that, too. <a href="https://www.carlsappliance.net/contacts/" target="_blank">Stop by our store or give us a call</a> and ask us anything about washers and dryers. We can set you in the right direction toward <a href="https://www.carlsappliance.net/catalog/laundry/" target="_blank">laundry appliances</a> that will keep your fabrics looking brand new, year after year.</p>

A Guide to Washing Table Linens

The fall season introduces fall fashion—but don’t forget to wash all your cold-weather apparel. 

<p>The fall weather is here and so is your fall fashion. A new season always brings a new wardrobe, but with outerwear and other fall apparel, do these items still need to be washed regularly? We're all guilty of wearing our favorite garments a few extra times before cleaning, and unless there are obvious &ldquo;wash me now&rdquo; signs like noticeable stains or odors, you can usually get away with it.</p>
<p>However, just because there aren&rsquo;t noticeable signs of wear, doesn&rsquo;t mean you don&rsquo;t still need to run a good rinse cycle. Fall apparel can be tricky to wash because the fabrics and materials are much more delicate. There are obvious washing tactics to avoid, but it can be the not-so-obvious factors that can ruin your clothes for good.</p>
<p>If you don&rsquo;t have the time to hand wash items or don&rsquo;t want the expense of dry cleaning, lucky for you, there are resources (and your mother&rsquo;s wisdom) to help you protect your favorite fall clothing for the long haul. Here is our helpful guide to washing fall apparel the right way.</p>
<p><img alt="wool coat on a coat hanger" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/blog/2020/fall-apparel-header.jpg" title="minianne" /></p>
<h2><strong>Down Parkas and Vests</strong></h2>
<p>For any clothing item with down feathers, you only need to wash once or twice per season. Over-washing these items causes the feathers to break down and potentially tear. Machine wash all puffy outerwear in cold water with a mild detergent to prevent the feathers from flattening.</p>
<p>After washing (or if your puffy vest looks squashed), let it tumble dry on low with three clean tennis balls to redistribute the feathers and prevent clumping. Even if it takes a few cycles, make sure the coat is fully dry.</p>
<h2><strong>Fleece Jackets and Sweatshirts</strong></h2>
<p>Fleece jackets and sweatshirts are typically worn more routinely during the fall season, so try to wash these items after six or seven wears. To keep your clothing items soft and not stiff or full of static, turn your garments inside out and wash with like colors. Try to avoid washing with items like towels because the buildup of lint can stick to fleece. Be sure to wash on a longer cycle so there is no leftover detergent residue, and set out to dry.</p>
<p>If your fleece jacket has a water-resistant finish, fabric softeners and dryer sheets can diminish the effectiveness of the fabric. And if your clothing is full of pet hair but doesn&rsquo;t need a full wash, you can remove stubborn pet hair with a wet rubber glove.</p>
<h2><strong>Hats, Gloves, and Scarves</strong></h2>
<p>These items are often ignored in our laundry pile, but pay extra close attention to these forgotten items&mdash;washing three to five times per season. Think about the buildup of makeup, cologne, facial oil, moisturizer, and the germs you pick up with gloves. Any knit items should be hand-washed and genuine leather gloves are best saved for the cleaners.</p>
<p>Additional pro-tip: Never store gloves in your coat pockets. It's easy to put gloves in your pocket, hang up the coat in the closet, and forget all about them, but the glove lining can become damp from the perspiration that comes off your hands and needs to properly air out. If tucked away in your jacket, they could be left with a smell of mildew.</p>
<p><img alt="pile of knit hat, gloves, and scarf" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/blog/2020/fall-apparel-gloves.jpg" title="tesdei" /></p>
<h2><strong>Leather and Suede Jackets</strong></h2>
<p>Leather and suede are two of the more delicate materials that only need to be washed once per season. These items are very durable and can withstand daily wear better than other fabrics. You can spot clean leather to remove any spills and brush suede to keep it in tip-top shape, but more intensive cleaning of these materials is best left to an expert.</p>
<p>Try to avoid makeup or perfume from staining the collar as it can permanently absorb into the material. And be careful not to overstuff the pockets, as this can cause tears or a misshapen garment. A lot of fall apparel is stored in plastic bags or storage bins during the offseason, but this storage method can cause leather clothing to dry out and crack.</p>
<p><img alt="row of leather jackets" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/blog/2020/fall-apparel-leather.jpg" title="ConstantinosZ" /></p>
<h2><strong>Sweaters and Flannel</strong></h2>
<p>There are many different sweater materials, so depending on your go-to sweater, wash after one to three wears. Cotton, flannel, and cashmere should be washed every two to three wears because the fabrics can be more delicate. Wool and other durable man-made blends such as polyester or acrylic can go a little longer, withstanding up to five wears. Wool naturally repels dirt, dust, and liquids easier than other materials, which is why it doesn&rsquo;t need to be cleaned as frequently.</p>
<p>If you&rsquo;re still concerned about ruining your favorite sweaters, handwashing can be the gentlest method, but be sure to fold sweaters and store them properly to avoid moths. If they are hanging in your closet, you&rsquo;re asking for a feeding zone.</p>
<h2><strong>Wool Coats</strong></h2>
<p>Speaking of wool sweaters, we might as well wash the wool coats while we&rsquo;re at it. Again, if it&rsquo;s your everyday coat, once or twice a season will suffice to keep this durable material from looking dingy. A special-occasion coat might need to be taken to the cleaners once before storing to deter moths only because it will most likely sit for longer without wear. Additionally, use a stiff brush to remove any surface debris and spot-treat any stains with a damp cloth and mild soap.</p>
<p>When storing wool or any other fall material, keep odors away by storing clothing where air can circulate and try not to overcrowd your coatrack or closet.</p>
<p><img alt="close up of womans wool jacket and scarf" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/blog/2020/fall-apparel-wool.jpg" title="Alexandra Iakovleva" /></p>
<h2><strong>Cleaning Tips</strong></h2>
<p>For additional washing recommendations, follow these simple washing cleaning tips below:</p>
<p><strong>1. Use Vinegar</strong></p>
<p>White vinegar is an alternative cleaner and natural deodorizer to preserve color brightness in your laundry and prevent fuzzy balled-up fibers from forming.</p>
<p><strong>2. Wash Flannel in Warm (not hot) Water</strong></p>
<p>Warm water ensures minimal color fading, reduces shrinkage, and keeps your fabrics soft so you can rock the lumberjack look all season long.</p>
<p><strong>3. Wash Knits in Cold Water</strong></p>
<p>Handwashing yields the best results when washing knits, but cold water saves time and saves your sweater from frays and snags.</p>
<p><strong>4. Limit Fabric Softener</strong></p>
<p>Fabric softener can sometimes stiffen fabric fibers and reduce softness if used in excess.</p>
<p><strong>5. Air Dry</strong></p>
<p>Delicate materials are prone to shrinking, so set up a makeshift drying rack and let your fabrics air dry.</p>
<p><img alt="pile of fall sweaters" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/blog/2020/fall-apparel-sweater.jpg" title="Oleg_Ermak" /></p>
<p>It's as simple as that&mdash;follow this fall apparel guide and you can enjoy soft and comfortable jackets, sweaters, and flannels all autumn long. And if you&rsquo;re looking for quality laundry appliances to help treat your favorite clothing, stop by our store to shop our selection of washers and dryers.</p>

A Guide to Washing Fall Apparel [Fleece, Flannel, Wool, and More!]

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