Caring for your Kustom Kit Garment

Technical Information
Caring for your Kustom Kit garment.

Garment Fibre Properties.

Cotton: An absorbent and strong fabric which washes well with care.

Lycra & Elastane: Has high stretch recovery with great shape retention.

Polyester: It's durable, easy care and has great shape retention.

Washing.

Always be aware of the garment care label and follow the washing instructions carefully. Washing machines, powders and fabrics are specially manufactured to ensure that when washed at the right temperature your clothes will come out looking their best, time after time.

The wash tub symbol tells you the washing process to be used:

• Before washing, close all zips, undo the buttons and flatten out collars & cuffs. Check pockets and linings for loose or sharp objects.
• Turn garments inside out to reduce abrasion. Any prints or fibres on the reverse of the garment will be protected.
• Always read the label for correct washing temperature.
• Do not overload washing machine.
• Always use an appropriate amount of detergent.
• Check garments regularly for marks and stains.

                                                                                                                                          
Drying.

Always check the care label to determine whether the garment can be tumble dried. When tumble drying, the following information is recommended:

Garment Type.    Drying Time.

Cotton Garments | 50-100 minutes
Cotton Polyester | 35-55 minutes
Heavy Synthetics | 45-65 minutes
Light Synthetics | 30-40 minutes

In cases where tumble drying is inappropriate, there will often be alternative drying methods suggested. These could be 'dry flat' or 'drip dry'.

• Re-shape whilst damp, by gathering the hem into one hand, holding the shoulder in the other and pulling the garment back into its original shape.
• When line drying shirts or jackets, always hang from the bottom.
• When line drying trousers or skirts, always hang from waist.
• When line drying knitted garments, make sure to fold over the line and position pegs under arms.
• Do not leave clothes exposed to the sun after they're dry.
• Avoid drying garments on radiators or intense heat as this could distort the shape.

Ironing.

The iron symbol advises which temperature on which to iron the garment. The dots represent the suggested iron temperature - more dots equals higher temperature.

• Up to 110 (Cool)
• Up to 150° (Warm)
• Up to 200° (Hot)
   
• Iron each garment on the suggested setting according to the care label.
• Don't iron over printed logos and markings. Always iron the reverse.
• When ironing dark garments avoid 'iron shine' by pressing on the inside of the garment, or by using a damp cloth to protect the fabric.
• Don't iron over buttons. Press around them. Spares are usually included in case of button damage.

Common Wash Issues.

Shrinkage: The major factors which contribute to garment shrinkage are heat and excessive agitation. Do not wash the garment at a temperature higher than the recommended, as this will most likely result in fabric shrinkage.

Pilling & Bobbling: Abrasion and lack of regular washing cause fibre balls to collect on the fabric. Remove them by carefully brushing or picking them off.

Fading in sunlight: Sunlight can be extremely harmful to fabric and the effects are irreversible. Reduce exposure to direct sunlight wherever possible.

Colour staining: Always wash similar colours together. Never leave damp garments together for an extended amount of time.

Stain Removal.

Most stains can be removed by soaking in cold water as long as the fabric is washable. However, as with most stains, immediate attention is important. Do not use hot water to rinse stains as it may cause it to set. Place the stain to be removed over an absorbent cloth or wad of kitchen roll. In order to avoid a ring, first target the area around the stain and then work inwards towards the center, preventing it from spreading into the fabric.

Always test the removal method on a hidden part of the garment first to ensure that it will not harm the fabric

Ball Point Pen: Apply methylated spirit or glycerine sparingly and mop up any loose colour. Rub any remaining stain with detergent and wash as per the care label.

Blood, gravy, ice-cream, egg & chocolate: Soak the stain in cold water and salt or in warm soapy water and then immediately as per the care label.

Coffee & tea: Soak up liquid with an absorbent cloth and sponge with warm water. Rinse with cold water and wash as per the care label.

Fat, grease & oil: Remove as much of the deposit as possible and work in neat washing up liquid with fingers. Treat with warm wate rand then wash immediately as per the care label.

Make-up: Do not rub the stain. Pat with talcum powder to soak up any grease and then work in neat washing up liquid with fingers before washing.

Perspiration: Sponge with weak solution of water and vinegar then rinse. Launder as per the care label.

Beer & spirits: Rinse or soak the stain in luke-warm water and then launder in heavy duty detergent as per the care label.

Wine: (White) Rinse the stain in warm water then soak in a warm detergent solution. (Red) First soak the stained area immediately in white wine or soda water to remove the colour, then launder as per the care label.