What are Some Rules of Thumb for Fabric Care?

By caring for fabrics properly, you will increase their life span and keep them looking clean and beautiful. Fabric care is especially important with garments, which may shrink in ways which become unflattering if they are not well cared for. The most important rule of thumb for fabric care is to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. These recommendations are made with the knowledge of how the fabric was produced, and what works best in factory testing. Manufacturers want their products to keep looking beautiful through a lifetime of use, so that you can be a walking advertisement for their product. One of the most important issues in fabric care is dirt and stains. Dirt should be removed with a fabric brush, or a moist sponge or towel. You may also find a fabric steamer and presser useful for removing stains and wrinkles. Different stains require different treatments, and you should always spot test a treatment on a corner of a garment before using it on the stain, in case ...  more