Washing & Cleaning Tips for Men's Clothes

Pockets

• Leaving items in the pockets of clothes could cause damage to the clothing and damage to the washing machine. Items such as ink pens, scraps of paper, loose change and tools create stains and messes in the washing machine. Check the pockets and remove items that could damage clothing and the washing machine. Remove jewelry including chains and pocket watches before washing to prevent it from breaking.

Stains

• Tough stains can work their way into men’s clothing, including motor oil, grease, fecal residue, blood and dirt. Treat these stains with a solution of a half cup of water and half cup of vinegar before washing. Apply the vinegar directly to the stain using a clean sponge to remove the stain. Acidity in vinegar breaks down the stain from within the material. Wash the article of clothing alone or with similar items whose care label recommends following the same washing and drying instructions.

Specialty Clothing

• Specialty clothing -- including hunter’s camouflage, sports uniforms and medical scrubs -- requires washing in unscented detergent. Many detergents contain heavy fragrances that alert deer, turkey and other wild game to an approaching hunter. Scented detergents sometimes cause allergic reactions or irritation when a person perspires heavily. Use a regular unscented laundry detergent or a detergent designed specifically for hunters when washing these garments. Washing medical scrubs in scent-free detergent reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions causes by certain scents. Unscented laundry detergents also work well with athletic clothing such as gym shorts and sports uniforms.

Drying

• Follow garment label instructions for drying clothing. Drying garments of the same type fabric together improves efficiency and reduces energy consumption. Adding vinegar to the wash cycle prevents items such as sweaters and clothing made from black fabric from forming excessive lint in the dryer.

Ironing

• Shirts, dress slacks and scrubs hold the crease easier if you iron them immediately after drying. Turning garments inside out simultaneously removes wrinkles on the inside and outside. Use light amounts of spray starch on dress clothing and business attire. Treating fabric with a light amount of starch helps the garment hold the crease and prevent wrinkles. Hanging ironed garments on wooden clothes hangers helps the garment hold shape and prevents wrinkles.