Eucalan | clean clothes , clean planet

To test for colour-fastness, place a swatch of the fabric in a jar with water and the cleaning agent you intend to use. Shake the jar and see if the water changes colour and how many suds you get. Or, dampen an inside seam, wait a minute or two and blot with a white cloth. If colour appears, use caution. Most dyes used on yarn are reactive dyes and stand up to washing in 120 degree F. water. If a yarn was dyed at a high temperature it can stand up to that temperature without shrinking or fading.

Pre-spotting:
In general it is better to soak the entire garment unless you can test the fibre on a swatch or seam; pre-spotting agents can cause dyes to run.

Bleach:

NEVER USE CHLORINE bleach on protein fibres. Very diluted bleach may work on vegetable fibres, but must be rinsed out completely. Oxygen bleach or diluted hydrogen peroxide (the kind used by hairdressers) is better over all - soak 24 hours and wash thoroughly.

Fabric Softeners:

NO! NO! NO! These can make the dye run or add a waxy finish to the fibres. They may also contain bleach, whiteners or brighteners, which may affect change in the colours.

Stain Removal:

Grease: (includes butter, oil, polish, wax) Use a liquid detergent and neutralize with vinegar before washing. If using a spot remover, test on an inside seam first.
Non-grease: includes alcohol, blood, tea, food. Some stains can be permanently set by heat, so be sure the stain is gone before washing/drying at hot temperature. Blot the stain or run cool water through opposite side of the stain. For stains on protein fibres press liquid detergent onto back of stain and soak in cool water. On vegetable fibres, press in a paste of powdered detergent, soak in oxygen bleach and follow with a detergent wash. Blood usually responds to soaking in cool water.

Other: Ink use alcohol or hair spray. Nail polish: acetone remover. Grass: alcohol, but it may loosen dye too. Mildew: soak in detergent and hang in the sun (not recommended for wool). Paint: wash out water based paint; use paint remover for oil-based paint. If paint has dried, use alcohol or other paint removers. May leave an oily residue. Wax: Put between paper towels, and two terry towels, use a warm iron. Fresh fruit/juice: place stained area over a bowl and pour boiling water through until stain disappears (use caution on wool).


	Helpful Hints To test for colour-fastness, place a swatch of the fabric in a jar with water and the cleaning agent you intend to use. Shake the jar and see if the water changes colour and how many suds you get. Or, dampen an inside seam, wait a minute or two and blot with a white cloth. If colour appears, use caution. Most dyes used on yarn are reactive dyes and stand up to washing in 120 degree F. water. If a yarn was dyed at a high temperature it can stand up to that temperature without shrinking or fading. Pre-spotting: In general it is better to soak the entire garment unless you can test the fibre on a swatch or seam; pre-spotting agents can cause dyes to run. Bleach: NEVER USE CHLORINE bleach on protein fibres. Very diluted bleach may work on vegetable fibres, but must be rinsed out completely. Oxygen bleach or diluted hydrogen peroxide (the kind used by hairdressers) is better over all - soak 24 hours and wash thoroughly. Fabric Softeners: NO! NO! NO! These can make the dye run or add a waxy finish to the fibres. They may also contain bleach, whiteners or brighteners, which may affect change in the colours. Stain Removal: Grease: (includes butter, oil, polish, wax) Use a liquid detergent and neutralize with vinegar before washing. If using a spot remover, test on an inside seam first. *Non-grease: includes alcohol, blood, tea, food.* Some stains can be permanently set by heat, so be sure the stain is gone before washing/drying at hot temperature. Blot the stain or run cool water through opposite side of the stain. For stains on protein fibres press liquid detergent onto back of stain and soak in cool water. On vegetable fibres, press in a paste of powdered detergent, soak in oxygen bleach and follow with a detergent wash. Blood usually responds to soaking in cool water. Other: Ink use alcohol or hair spray. Nail polish: acetone remover. Grass: alcohol, but it may loosen dye too. Mildew: soak in detergent and hang in the sun (not recommended for wool). Paint: wash out water based paint; use paint remover for oil-based paint. If paint has dried, use alcohol or other paint removers. May leave an oily residue. Wax: Put between paper towels, and two terry towels, use a warm iron. Fresh fruit/juice: place stained area over a bowl and pour boiling water through until stain disappears (use caution on wool).