Here at Art with Heart, we believe in respecting our/your products by taking care of them and making them last. However, above that, we prioritize living your true authentic self and enjoying your products without the fear of them getting ruined.

Washing and putting clothes in the dryer is known to be tough on clothes. The agitation of tumbling and coming in contact with other garments can leave garments faded, stretched, pilled and damaged. Here are some tips and tricks to wearing, cleaning and storing your beautiful Art with Heart goods to prolong their life.

 

Cotton:

It’s essential to wash cotton GENTLY. That means washing them with cold water and drying them on a permanent press to avoid wrinkles or laying to dry.

Store your cotton products carefully. Folding or rolling them up is the best way to avoid extra creasing. Hanging causes unsightly hanger marks, and gravity causes them to stretch.

Ironing temp: 400° F / steam clean for best results.

  

More Tips: 

  • Buy quality clothes (Our artisans can vouch for our quality!)
  • Pay attention to laundering details (how to read laundry symbols guide)
  • Wash clothes inside out to increase longevity
  • Invest in a drying rack
  • Swap harsh detergents like bleach for Color-safe alternatives
  • Wash clothes less; try to prolong wear.
  • Practice good storage habits
  • Dress after your hair and makeup
  • Keeping up with any repairs the cloth may need to reduce further damage

 

Tip for Stain Removal: 

The longer you wait to remove a stain, the less likely you’ll be able to remove it.

1. Wet a cloth with cold water. (Avoid using paper towels so that they don’t shed on your garment and create more of a mess.)

2. Add a drop of dish detergent to the wet cloth. (We suggest using “a citrus-based soap — anything that smells like lemon or orange.”)

3. Place another cloth beneath the stain if you can.

4. Press on the stain, over and over, to lift it out. Resist the urge to rub, or you might damage the fabric.

5. You can let the stain sit overnight, even in water, before putting it in the laundry. Or you can wash it immediately after treating the stain.

Here is how you can safely remove other kinds of stains at home ONLY for garments that can be carefully cleaned with water. Follow each instruction by washing the clothing, as we have mentioned above.

Ink. With a cloth underneath the stained area, re-wet the stain with ice-cold water. Using a Q-Tip or small towel soaked in a cleaning solution (5 ounces water, 1-ounce ammonia, 1-ounce peroxide, 1-ounce colour safe detergent), lightly tap the stain, pushing it onto the cloth underneath. 

Dirt. Remove any chunks of mud carefully. Place the garment in lukewarm water and move it around to loosen and remove as much dirt as possible. Apply detergent to the stain and re-soak for half an hour, rinse and repeat. 

Tomato. With a butter knife or spoon, carefully pick up any excess tomato sauce. Dab detergent onto the stain, then, from the underside of the garment, rinse with cold water (to push the stain out of, instead of back into the clothing). 

Oily stains Salad dressing, lipstick and auto grease create oily stains on clothing. Apply a liquid detergent directly to the stained area. Allow the item to stand for 15 minutes before laundering. The detergent will loosen and dissolve the soil so that it can be lifted away in the wash.

Protein stains Blood, milk and dairy products, and most body soil contain organic matter that will harden and set over time or when exposed to hot water. Soak protein stains in cold water for at least 30 minutes before laundering. A tip from the nursing profession: Stubborn, dried-on bloodstains may be removed by applying a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution to the stain, but pretest fabric for colour-fastness.

Tannin stains Wine, coffee, tea, soft drinks, fruits and fruit juices commonly cause tannin stains. Then apply a mild cleaning solution (6 ounces water, 2 ounces colour-safe detergent) until the stain comes out. If that doesn’t work, try a tougher solution (2 ounces water, 2 ounces colour-safe bleach). Wash at the hottest temperature appropriate for the garment.

Dye stains Grass-green dye stain, foods with intense colours, such as blueberries or mustard, create dye stains. So does direct transfer from fabric or leather, such as the blue cast rubbed off on white undergarments worn beneath new jeans. Pretreat dye stains with direct application of detergent to the stained area, then wash in the hottest water appropriate for the fabric.

Turmeric stains 

1. Treat immediately, don’t wait!

2. Hold a paper towel under the stain and use one on top to lift away any excess turmeric. For an oil-based turmeric stain, sprinkle a bit of cornstarch, baking soda or flour on the stain for 20 mins before removing it

3. Pour/spray a spot treatment like “Shout advanced stain remover” or “all-purpose liquid detergent” directly onto both sides of the stain and scrub gently with a wet finger or half of the stained area with the other half. Be careful not to rub too hard because some fabrics will show harsh scrubbing after dry.

4. Wash in the warmest water your fabric will allow. *Can wash with other clothes when pretreated*

5. If signs of the stains remain, hang your clothes out to dry on a wire or drying rack in direct sunlight. The sun has bleaching powers and lifts a tumeric stain like magic!

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For all other inquiries or more help caring for your Art with Heart products, please contact us through our contact page or email us at info@artwithheartbymichelle.com.