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Advice & More October 2013

Caregivers Guide for Stain Care and Skin Care

By Barbara Newell

At times, the detergents and softeners you regularly use may become a problem for the skin. When laundered items feel scratchy they will render the skin itchy and if scratched the skin will become sore. Bedsores may also arise as a complication.

A caregiver has many responsibilities; some simple, some complex. The end goal is health and comfort for the person receiving the care.

Removing stains and odors in the residence may be an overwhelming task along with selecting the best laundry care for sensitive skin.

This would be frustrating for me; imagine dealing with this on a daily basis. How about a simple, handy list of stain removal and laundry care for sensitive skin? Save the list below and you will have many answers to your questions.

 

Blood

Fresh Stains: Soak in cold water (do not use hot water as it will set blood stains). Launder.

Dried Stains: Pretreat or soak in warm water with a product containing enzymes. Launder.

If stain remains, rewash using a bleach safe for fabric.

 

Bodily Fluids

  1. Pretreat or soak in a product containing enzymes.
  2. Launder using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for fabric, or oxygen bleach.

 

Deodorants, Antiperspirants

Light Stains: Pretreat with liquid laundry detergent. Launder.

Heavy Stains:

  1. Pretreat with prewash stain remover. Allow to stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. Launder using an oxygen bleach.

 

Mildew

Badly mildewed fabrics may be damaged beyond repair. Launder stained items using a bleach safe for fabric and hottest water recommended for fabric.

 

Perspiration

  1. Use a prewash stain remover or rub with bar soap. If perspiration has changed the color of the fabric, apply ammonia to fresh stains or white vinegar to old stains; rinse.
  2. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric. Stubborn stains may respond to washing in a product containing enzymes or oxygen bleach in hottest water safe for fabric.

 

Tobacco

  1. Dampen stain and rub with bar soap; rinse.
  2. Pretreat or soak in a product containing enzymes.
  3. Launder. If stain remains, launder again using a bleach safe for fabric.

 

Food-based Stains

Gently rub baking soda into stain and then rinse with white vinegar. Repeat process.

 

Protecting Skin 

Laundering clothes, bed sheets and towels for those with sensitive skin may be slightly bewildering. Here are some recommendations.

At times, the detergents and softeners you regularly use may become a problem for the skin. When laundered items feel scratchy they will render the skin itchy and if scratched the skin will become sore. Bedsores may also arise as a complication.

Changing the detergent and /or softener to exclude many of the hard working enzymes and fragrant perfumes will help with this problem. There are many products available that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin.

Double rinsing the laundered times is another way to help prevent a skin problem. When you use this process, you know that the traces of product will be minimal. It is very easy to double rinse by setting your washing machine’s rinse cycle.

Always pre-wash all bed linens, towels and clothing before they are used. This will remove the sizing that is contained in new items and make them so much softer and easier on the skin.

 

Caregiving Resources

You are not alone when it comes to being a caregiver. There are many organizations and business available to guide and assist you. The information on the website www.caregiveraction.org/resources/agencies/ include agencies and organizations that are valuable resources for you to find information, support and assistance, no matter if you are a family caregiver, a professional caregiver, or looking for additional information on issues related to caregiving.

 

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