November 2002 Issue
In this months Issue:
Care Label Confusion
What a Pill!
Home Laundry Tip
Theres an old saying A Pictures Worth a Thousand Words. The fact is, thats only true if you can figure out what the picture means!
Although some clothing labels still use words to explain care instructions, many now use symbols that are supposed to be more easily understood by people from all over the world. Problem is, many of our customers admit that they have trouble deciphering what the symbols actually mean.
As you know, following care instructions carefully is extremely importan if you want your garment to look great the next time you wear it! Dont take any chances or make guesses about what you think the care label is trying to tell you.
Theres a simple solution: You can locate a chart of the international care symbols on our website. Just type in www.pressed4time.com, click on the Customer Services link and then on the Care Symbols link. That way, you can ensure that your clothing gets the proper care it deserves!
What a Pill!
At this time of year, families and friends get together to celebrate sporting events and holidays. If youre serving food (and who isnt?), and youre using a linen tablecloth, youre probably familiar with the problem of pilling. Pills are actually balls of entangled fibers attached to the surface of the fabric. When the item is washed, some of the fabrics short fibers break at the ends and lift to the surface. There, they twist and form pills.
So whose fault is it, anyway? We hate to place blame, but this is a manufacturing problem. When purchasing a linen tablecloth, be sure to look for one with a tighter weave, since this can help anchor the fibers in the yarn. Looser weaves are more prone to pilling.
One final tip: try washing the linen tablecloth in a small load at a high water level with some fabric softener in the rinse cycle. This may help cut down on those pills.
Home Laundry Tip
The food is delicious, all the relatives are getting along and suddenly, Uncle George spills gravy on the carpet. Now what?
Forget the club soda: try talcum powder or cornstarch. Apply onto the gravy-stained area, so it will absorb some of the oil. Then, scrape up the powder as it absorbs the oil. Once the area is dry, use a vacuum to remove the rest of the powder and then treat the area with a spot removal product. And next time, put Uncle George at the kids table, with a big plastic tarp underneath!
One final carpet tip: after all the guests leave, you may find indentations in your carpet from the chairs or tables. Put ice cubes over the indents and leave them overnight. The next day, fluff up the area with your fingers or even a fork (yes, a fork!) and your carpet will look great!