Man-made fibres: Easier to care for, more economical and better quality retention.

Man-made fibres give dirt little chance.
When it comes to their care, one quickly learns to appreciate the further advantages in materials made wholly or in part from man-made fibres. The higher the proportion of these fibres, the greater the resistance products like carpets, curtains, table cloths, decorative textiles and garments have to soiling. This applies especially to fabrics made from synthetic man-made fibres, as for example, polyamide, acrylic or polyester, where soiling is not assimilated by the fibre, rather it clings to the surface, from where it can easily be removed.

Man-made fibres save time, effort and money.

Some important care factors apply to nearly all textiles partially or totally made of man-made fibres, in particular to apparel or home textiles. If, at the time of buying, one looks out for textiles that are wholly or in part manufactured from man-made fibres, then it will not be long before the advantages of so doing become clear.

• Man-made fibres or blends with a high proportion of man-made fibres are not to be boiled. Most of the time they will be sparkling clean after the gentle wash cycle, thus saving time and energy.
• Stains disappear often with a simple cold or hand wash.
• Textiles containing man-made fibres or made 100% from them normally need reduced amounts of detergent, again saving money and sparing the environment.
• Man-made fibres are quick-drying and often regain their shape without ironing.

You get more lasting pleasure from beautiful fabrics made from man-made fibres.

You do more than recoup your costs with them, as not only do they need less care, they are also as a rule extremely durable and retain their shape well, making frequent new purchases unnecessary. However it is also true of man-made fibres: the more you look for them properly, the longer your favorites will be with you.

The first command in proper care is to note what it says on the relevant care label.

Man-made fibres: The right way to care for them.

Some textiles must only be dry cleaned. Included here are mainly suits and coats, e.g. those made from wool and many wool man-made fibres blends. However many fabrics made wholly or in part from man-made fibres can be washed at home without further ado or difficulty. Looking at the care label will tell you what you need to know.

In what follows we give you useful and important tips for the care of textiles wholly or in part made of man-made fibres, where the care label indicates they can be washed:

• Sorting out in advance prevents colours running.
• Coloureds or prints should always be washed separately from other articles.
• Moderately full drums wash best.
• One achieves the best wash results and least creasing when articles "swim" in the drum or hand wash solution.
• Gentle or normal wash cycle suffice.
• 30° to 60°C are absolutely enough for textiles wholly or partly made of man-made fibres. (see care label instructions). Never boil! It is best to select the "easy care" programme. In most cases a gentle spin will suffice, as these textiles are quick drying and could develop creasing when they become warm.
• Soft rinsing has its advantages.
• Using softening agents with articles containing a high proportion of man-made fibres improves feel and smoothness, and neutralises them against static electricity. They receive as well an extra "protective coating" against soiling and stains. Textiles with membranes should not under any circumstances be treated with softeners.
• The washing is self-drying.
• Articles made of man-made fibres can be hung up to drip-dry and easily pulled into shape. It is not necessary as a rule to press them. Where creasing occurs, however, they may be ironed carefully, using a damp cloth or steam iron.
• If mangling is required, do it straightaway.
• Large area fabrics, such as bed or table linen, can be mangled directly following the spin/rinsing.

Viscose: Keeping your favourite clothes like new.

• Viscose is used mainly for fine, fashionable articles and linings.
• Whilst in general dry cleaning is recommended for suits and jackets, it is possible to wash blouses and other garments without problems at home - provided it says so on the care label. As long as you take note of the symbols on the care label and of the instructions that follow below, your "best things" will be like new and with you for a long time.
• Pre-sorting prevents colours running.
• Coloureds and prints should always be washed separately from other articles.
• Use fine detergents.
• Do not use chlorine bleach.
• Half loads give the best wash.
• Best results are obtained in terms of cleaning and minimal creasing where the drum or hand-wash solution are at a maximum 50% capacity.
• A gentle wash cycle is the ultimate.
• Viscose articles do not need or want anything in excess of a cycle at 40°C maximum. A gentle spin will suffice.
• Viscose is self-drying.
• Clothing is best hung up damp and pulled into shape.
• A little ironing is a good thing.
• Viscose articles may be pressed using a moderately hot steam iron.

Membrane systems: Wash or dry clean as often as you wish.

Articles which have membranes in their construction retain their protective powers, irrespective of the frequency of washing or dry cleaning.
The care label instructions of articles with membranes must be consulted when caring for them.

• Wash or dry clean.
• The care label will say whether the garment can be washed or has to be dry cleaned. If it goes to the cleaners, you should draw the attention of the staff to the presence of the membrane, so that there will be no damage by fixing on the identification tag.
  Where it is possible to wash the garment, the following tips should be noted; but only in case the care label instruction is not giving other informations:
• Select gentle wash cycle (40°C), load machine to approximately 60 per cent capacity.
• Use gentle detergent.
• Do not add softeners because they can affect the impregnation.
• Avoid fast spin.
  
• Adjust dryer to low temperature only, where care label states drying is permitted.
  
• If ironing is possible, then it should only be done at medium temperature. The care label will have instructions.
  
• Note instructions on re-proofing - this is best done by dry cleaners, as it is kinder to the environment.

Carpets made of man-made fibres: Hard-wearing, easy-clean.

A beautiful, well cared-for carpet sets the tone for any room.

A number of factors are decisive for optimal care, as for example the quality of the fibre, colour, pattern, density of pile or the backing material. Proper laying of the carpet following the manufacturer's recommendations is the first pre-requisite for optimal cleaning and maintenance.

Some tips you should note in caring for your carpet:

• Regular vacuum cleaning.
  
• A regular vacuum clean removes particles of dirt and dust. Fine-filter machines with either vacuum or power brush systems may be used. Remember to change the dust bag regularly.
  
• Removing stains: First Aid for carpets.
  
• Very important: if at all possible avoid letting stains dry in! The fresher the spot, the easier it is to remove. Of equal importance: to make absolutely sure, cleaning agents should always be tried out first on a part of the carpet that is not visible. Liquid spills should be wiped up as quickly as possible with a sponge or white paper or cotton towels. The spot should then be washed with luke-warm water and/or a good quality carpet shampoo cleaner (follow the instructions for use). If the staining persists, an attempt should be made to remove the residual marking totally by means of a proprietary spot remover. Always work towards the centre of the spill, - dabbing, not rubbing. Rinse off with clear water, removing any moisture with a white paper towel. With velour carpets especially you should brush them while still damp, following the pile. When the carpet has dried, we recommend giving it a power brush and vacuum clean, so as to restore the pile. If the spot has already dried in, the substance can be scraped off carefully using a spoon or the back of a knife, and the residue removed with a brush or vacuum cleaner. Should even repeated efforts with the luke-warm water or good quality shampoo cleaner not have the desired effect, then one should use a special spot removal agent and/or call in a professional.
  
• Interim maintenance
  
• In high traffic areas (e.g. entrance halls or office reception areas) it is recommended that interim maintenance is undertaken to increase the intervals between the major long-term treatments of the carpet. Prior to each interim maintenance the carpet should be thoroughly vacuumed. At the interim maintenance stage it is possible to use a dry powder treatment: A soil-absorbent powder is sprinkled on the carpet, spread uniformly and worked in criss-cross mode into the carpet using a power brush. The carpet is then given a thorough vacuum brush clean to remove the powder. This method is also suitable for carpets laid in such a way that does not permit wet cleaning.
  
• Long-term maintenance
  
• From time to time a thorough carpet clean - also called a deep clean - is necessary. So as to continue enjoying your carpet for as long as possible, you should call a carpet cleaning specialist for this. In selecting the cleaning method they will take into account such factors as the carpet
  construction, type of laying and depth of pile. Depending on this information, there will be a choice of cleaning methods: either shampooing - also called wet foam cleaning - or spray extraction, or a combination of the two.