Sunlight® Laundry Tips

Your one-stop source for complete laundry and fabric care.


Get Down With Laundry Basics Even if it's your fifth, twenty-fifth, or three million and fifth time doing laundry, there's always room for a little refresher course in laundry basics. Here's what everyone needs to know when they're facing that pile of clothes stacked high in a laundry basket: (White / Pastels / Neutrals / Darks / Type of Material) For best results, sort your wash loads into a mixture of small and large items made of similar fabrics and colours. A good way to sort your washing is to sort by colour first (into whites, pastels, neutrals and dark colours), and then by fabric type (cotton and linen, synthetics and synthetic blends, delicates). Sorting colours Most clothes fall into one of four colour categories: whites, pastels, neutrals and darks. Always check the care label for specific instructions. Whites are best cleaned in hot water. Whites and pastels can be washed together if washed in warm water. Neutrals can be done in warm or cold water. Dark clothes look best if washed in cold water to prevent fading. Jeans / denim should be washed inside out. Sorting materials Towels should be done in a separate load because they produce lint on other garments. Denim should be done in a separate load because it is a heavy fabric that may cause damage to more delicate fabrics. Adjust your washing machine's water level to match your load size. Then select the cycle. Most clothes use the normal setting. Be sure to adjust the setting for permanent press, delicate or sheer items. Note - Choose your wash setting based on the garment that requires the gentlest cycle in the wash load. Keep all clothing that requires the gentle cycle together. Always measure and add detergent to your wash before adding your clothes. Follow the instructions on the package for the amount of detergent to use. For heavily soiled or larger loads, use a little more detergent. Add your detergent as the washer fills with water. Then add clothes. After you have added your detergent, load your clothes into the washing machine. Be sure not to overload the machine with items, as clothes need to move freely for best cleaning. An overloaded washing machine can cause powdery residue, poor wash results and wrinkled, or even damaged clothes—it can even damage the machine. Always check the care label for specific instructions. Hot water is great for whites, colourfast items, and heavily soiled clothes or clothes with greasy stains. Warm water works for permanent press and other 100-percent synthetic fibres, blends of natural and synthetic fibres and moderately soiled items. Cold water will keep most colourfast clothes from running and minimize the shrinking of washable woolens. Cold water is also good for lightly soiled clothing and clothes stained with blood, wine or coffee. (These stains may set if washed in hot or warm water.) Liquid or Powder – don't know what to use? Here's some information to help you decide. Liquids Liquids are easy to measure, dissolve quickly and are particularly useful for quick wash settings. They can also be used for pre-treating tough stains (but remember to check for colourfastness first by testing the detergent on a hidden part of the garment). Powders Powder is the traditional laundry detergent format, and it's especially effective in helping to lift up ground-in dirt (making it the perfect choice to use when washing children's clothes). Using too much powder in a cold wash tends to turn it into glob-like clumps; using less will still be effective in getting clothes clean. There is no such problem when using hot water. Fabric Softener and Conditioner Even if you rinse clothes thoroughly, the mechanical action from repeated washing and wearing can reduce your clothes softness and life. Fabric conditioners work to protect and untangle fibres, so the clothes you wear stay soft, fresh, and like new for longer. They can also make ironing easier too. Try Sunlight with Snuggles Liquid Fabric Softener. To ensure that your garment washes as it was intended by the manufacturer and remains looking new for as long as possible, be sure to read the garment care label. For a description of the different symbols you'll find on your garment care labels visit the Laundry Symbols Guide. Sunlight^® Stain Centre How to get out anything, from chocolate and chewing gum to wine and ink. Adhesives Use a nail varnish remover, then wash as normal. Make sure to check the type of fabric first - do not use on acetate or triacetate. Blood If stain is fresh soak in cold water; then wash. If stain is dry, soak in warm water with Sunlight^® for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best results) and then wash. If stain persists rewash using bleach safe for fabric. Candle Wax Peel off any surface wax, sandwich the fabric between blotting paper or kitchen towel and iron over the mark to melt out the remaining wax. Dab with a grease solvent to remove the last traces, and then wash as the care label advises. Chewing Gum Chill fabric with ice to harden gum. Peel or scrape off excess gum with edge of teaspoon. Rub with Sunlight^® Liquid (or a soft paste of Sunlight^® powder and water). Rinse with hot water. Repeat if necessary. Wash in hottest water safe for fabric. Chocolate Scrape off the surface chocolate, and then sponge the stain with warm soapy water. Rinse with cold water and wash in a biological detergent like Amaze. Coffee or Tea Sponge or soak stain promptly in cool water. While still wet rub Sunlight^® Liquid directly into any remaining stain. Wash with Sunlight^® and bleach (safe for the fabric) in hottest water safe for fabric. For older stains, pre-soak in Sunlight^® before treating. Cooking Oils Dampen stain. Rub with Sunlight^® Liquid (or a soft paste of Sunlight^® Powder and water) and wash in hottest water safe for fabric. Make sure stain is completely removed before drying in dryer or ironing. Curry Curry can often contain turmeric, which is a fabric dye; so wash the stain as soon as possible with a powder that contains bleach or bleach alternative. If the marks persist, soak them in a solution of 20-volume hydrogen peroxide (diluted 1 part to 9 parts cold water). Rinse well and wash as normal. Grass Soak in Sunlight^® and water for 30 minutes. If stain remains, pre-soak overnight. Wash in the hottest water that's safe for fabric. If stain persists, rewash using bleach safe for fabric. Nail Polish Place stained area face down on clean paper towels. Apply nail polish remover to the back of stain. Replace paper towels frequently. Rinse and wash with Sunlight^® in hottest water safe for fabric. Note: Check a hidden seam for colour change or fabric damage before treating with nail polish remover. Never use nail polish remover on acetate, triacetate or modacrylic, as it will damage the garment. Paint Wash immediately with cold water while the paint is still wet. If you let it dry, the stain forms a skin that is not removable. The garment can be revitalized by rubbing the dampened area with household soap and then washing again in a rich solution of detergent. Pen and Marker (solvent sensitive inks) Sponge area around stain with rubbing alcohol (or cleaning fluid) before applying the alcohol directly on stain (to keep the ink from spreading). Place stained fabric face down on clean paper towels and apply more alcohol to the back of stain. Replace paper towels frequently. Rub stain using Sunlight^® Liquid and rinse thoroughly. Wash with Sunlight^® in hottest water safe for fabric. Perspiration, Deodorants, Anti-Perspirants If stain is light and/or fresh, apply ammonia. Wait a couple of minutes and rinse. If stain is heavy or old, place face down on clean paper towels and sponge back of stain with dry cleaning solvent. Rinse thoroughly. After rinsing, rub with Sunlight^® Liquid or a paste of Sunlight^® powder and water while fabric is still damp. Then wash in the hottest water safe for fabric. Powder Residue Take out all clothing from the washer. Remove powder residue from the washer. Separate your initial wash-load in two. Rewash each wash-load without any laundry detergent. IMPORTANT NOTICE: All stained clothing must be immediately rewashed. Heat from the dryer could set them in the clothing material. REMINDER: An overloaded washer is usually the cause of powder residue. Make sure to never overload your washing machine. NOTE: Water hardness may also contribute to powder residue Rust Treat stain with repeated applications of lemon juice and salt. Do not let dry between applications. Rinse thoroughly. Wash with Sunlight^® and non-chlorine bleach in hottest water safe for fabric. If a stain residue remains, treat it with a commercially available rust remover. You can likely purchase rust remover at your hardware store or Wal-Mart. Follow the instructions provided. Shoe Polish Rub the stain with a liquid detergent and wash immediately as the fabric care label recommends. Spaghetti Sauce Dampen stain with warm water and rub Sunlight^® Liquid directly into the stain. Wash in the hottest water that's safe for fabric. If stain persists, rewash using bleach safe for fabric. Tar Scrape off excess tar, then soften the remaining tar with a little glycerin or eucalyptus oil, treat with liquid detergent and wash as normal. If this fails, try specialist stain removal solvents. These are available at hardware stores. Tomato Pre-treat stained area using Sunlight^® liquid. Apply the Sunlight^® liquid to the stained area, rub in, and let sit for 10 minutes. Wash as usual using Sunlight^®. For best results, use a pre-wash cycle. The key to successful stain removal is to treat and wash the stain immediately, before it has a chance to set in. If the stain has not been completely removed repeat stain removal treatment before drying the clothing. Vomit Scrape off any surface deposit and rinse the garment well under running cold water. Soak in a solution of detergent that contains bleach or bleach alternative, and then wash normally. Washable or Felt Tip Markers (water soluble inks) Determine if stain is soluble in water or alcohol (or cleaning solvent) by placing a drop of water on the stain and then a drop of alcohol. Use the procedure that makes more of the stain flow out of the fabric. Rinse stain under running cold water to remove as much ink as possible. Rub with Sunlight^® Liquid and rinse thoroughly. Wash with Sunlight^® in hottest water safe for fabric. Wine and alcoholic beverages Sponge or soak stain promptly in cool water. While still wet, rub Sunlight^® Liquid directly into any remaining stain. Wash with Sunlight^® and bleach (safe for the fabric) in hottest water safe for fabric. For older stains, pre-soak in an enzyme detergent like Sunlight^®. Figuring out Label Symbols Vintage silk, cozy cashmere or delicate lace: easy-care solutions for all the fabrics of your life. Machine Wash Cycle Bleach Symbols Tumble Dry Cycle Heat Setting Special Instructions Iron - Dry or Steam Dry Clean Normal Cycle Special Dry Cleaning Instructions Check out These Essential Laundry Tips Want perfectly faded jeans? Fresher workout gear? More durable kids’ clothes? Here’s the inside scoop. Keep the flat ironing surface clean with a special sole plate cleaner (available from hardware stores). If you are using starch to stiffen your clothes, iron the starched items quickly. Do not have the iron too hot, or the starch will burn onto the bottom of the iron. If the iron gets coated with starch or fabric dressing, you can rub it off with sole plate cleaner. Be sure not to burn yourself when cleaning your iron. Drying clothes appropriately can make all the difference to how they look and feel when you wear them. Always check the garment care label before drying clothing in the dryer. Some clothes are not suitable for tumble drying, and need to be dried on a washing line or laid flat to dry. For best drying results, and energy efficiency, make sure to clean your dryer's lint tray before each use. When setting the drying time, remember to leave your clothes slightly damp if you are planning to iron them afterwards. Once the cycle is over take your clothes out as soon as possible. This prevents wrinkles from setting. Acrylic Knitwear Dry flat, away from direct heat, unless otherwise advised by the care label. Cotton and Linen These can be dried on a hot setting in the dryer, or on a washing line. Delicates Check the care labels to find out whether these can be trusted to the dryer, whether they should be hung on a line, or dried flat. Wool Wool items can lose their shape when hung up, so it is best to dry them flat, either on a special drying screen, or on a table (not a wooden one) on which you have first spread a towel. Dry away from direct heat or strong sunlight. Use a well-padded ironing board (especially for wool). Iron inside out whenever possible. Use a press cloth such as a clean pillowcase. For some fabrics, e.g. wool, use steam or press with a slightly damp cloth, using light pressure. Always iron delicate fabrics inside out on a low temperature setting. Always follow the instructions on the care label. Remember that the temperature of the iron takes time to change when you alter the setting. Sort articles into piles of cotton and synthetics before starting to iron. This means you only have to alter the temperature once. Avoid ironing over sharp objects like zips or buttons because it may result in damage to the garment. Acetate Iron evenly damp on the wrong side with a cool iron. Acrylic If needed, iron on the wrong side with a cool iron. Do not use steam or damp cloth as this could cause stretching. Cotton Iron slightly damp on the right side with a hot iron. Linen Iron damp on the right side with a hot iron. Nylon or Polyester Iron nearly dry on the wrong side with a cool iron to prevent glazing. Silk Iron slightly damp on the right side with a warm iron. Wool (knitted) Iron dry or nearly dry on the wrong side with a warm iron or steam. Wool (woven) Iron nearly dry on the right side with a pressing cloth, warm iron or steam iron. Careful packing means your clothes will arrive in better shape. Put the heavy things (like shoes and hairdryer) near the base of the suitcase. To keep the shape in your shoes, push rolled up socks inside. Hit "line dry only" clothes with a little heat from the dryer (only if care label allows). The short blast warms your clothes, making it easy to smooth them out before hanging them or laying them flat. Choose natural fibre garments that have an anti-wrinkling finish or are blended with thermoplastic synthetics, such as polyester or nylon. Other less wrinkly fabrics include knits, especially heavy, balanced knits like interlock, and "floats" in weave, such as gabardine, twill and satin. Take your clothes out of the dryer or washer as soon as the buzzer rings, and hang or fold the clothes before they cool. Lower the dryer temperature when drying certain types of clothes like synthetics. Too much heat can be a bad thing. Dry clothes of the same weight together. For example, dry jeans with other heavy items. Shake out long or large items, such as pants and dresses, before putting them in the dryer. Follow the instructions on the care label inside your clothes. Use only the recommended heat setting to wash and dry your garments. Don't overstuff your washer or dryer. You'll see fewer wrinkles if your garments have room to move when being washed and dried. Take advantage of the "cool down" or "permanent press" cycle to bring your clothes down to room temperature while they are still tumbling. Acrylics Acrylic is prone to stretching so it is important to follow the specific care label instructions on each garment carefully. Blankets and rugs When washing blankets and rugs, first check the care label to see if it's washable. Then make sure that it will fit into the washing machine drum easily. Washing machines at the Laundromat usually have a higher load capacity and are often more suitable for washing large items like blankets. Duvets Duvets with synthetic fillings can usually be washed, but many domestic machines do not have a large enough capacity to allow the duvet to move around freely in the drum. So, washable duvets are usually better suited for washing at your Laundromat. After washing, make sure they are completely dried and aired before use. Feather and down-filled duvets require specialist cleaning - do not attempt to wash them. Stains on duvets should be mopped up as quickly as possible. If the filling is feather or down, it is important to isolate the stain. Shake the feathers away from the affected area, and then treat the stain accordingly. Gore-Tex® For Gore-Tex® branded clothes any detergent can be used. But do not use a fabric softener. Gore-Tex® garments are treated with a Teflon® coating, which makes them water repellent and a fabric softener can strip the Teflon® coating, affecting the performance of the garment. It would still be waterproof, so water would not reach your skin, but the garment itself could become heavy and water-logged. Also, Gore-Tex® clothes should be washed on a gentle cycle. Modern fabrics When washing microfibres such as Tactel®, sort according to soiling and colour. Wash light fabrics separately on a low temperature and a low agitation program. For Cupro® and Tencel® using a fabric conditioner reduces creasing and maintains the appearance of the fabric. Pillows Both foam and feather pillows can be washed, but it is best to avoid doing so as drying can take a long time. If you do wash the pillow in your machine, take care that the fabric case is robust and will not allow the filling to come loose, causing potentially serious damage to the machine. To prevent this, we recommend washing the pillow inside a pillowcase. Always cover a pillow with a pillow case, and treat stains immediately. If the filling is feather or down, it is important to isolate the stain. Shake the feathers away from the affected area, then treat the stain accordingly. Sofa covers/cushion covers/soft furnishings If the care label indicates that the items are washable, use a detergent without a bleaching or brightening agent to help keep colours bright. If your garment does not have a care label, seek specialist advice from your dry cleaner. Always wash matching items the same number of times to keep them looking a similar shade. The ideal storage conditions for your clothes are: Total darkness Relative humidity of 50-55% Temperature of 12-18°C Clean, well ventilated and free of pests Acid-free tissue paper should be used between clothes and to line boxes or drawers. Trousers Fold along the natural crease line and then hang on the bar of a clothes hanger. Shirts If possible, hang shirts on a clothes hanger. However, if you need to fold them, remember to: Fasten all the buttons Lay the shirt face down Fold both sides to the middle Fold the sleeves flat along the back Fold the tail up about four inches Fold the bottom up to the collar Sweaters Avoid hanging sweaters as they will stretch. To fold: Lay face down and fold one side and arm to the middle Fold the arm back on itself Repeat with the other side Fold in half by taking the top to the bottom Skirts Hang skirts using the loops on the waistband. Dresses Hanging dresses inside out can help keep them clean. Maintenance washes Two to three times a year, run your machine without any clothes in it, on the hottest wash, with a regular amount of detergent (preferably containing Bleach Alternative or Bleach). This 'maintenance wash' will keep the machine and the outlet pipes clean and free from a build-up of dirt and grease. Overloading Overloading can cause poor wash results, damage to garments and ultimately damage to your washing machine itself. Preserve your machine's life. Never overload.