Fabric care 101

<img alt="David Prince" title="David Prince" src="http://img.timeinc.net/realsimple/i/p/Feb03/0203_solution_clean_fabric.jpg" align="left" width="180" height="240"><em>Did you find out the hard way not to wash your cashmere throw like your cotton T-shirt? Use these surefire methods to treat common household fabrics</em> <p><strong>Leather Care Tips</strong><br> Regularly vacuum or dust furniture and pillows to remove surface dirt and grime. Use a leather conditioner, such as Leather Master&#39;s Protection Cream ($20, 800-300-2539), every six months for shine. </p><p><strong>Care Tip: </strong>To remove water-based stains, use a cloth dampened with a little lukewarm water. (Don&#39;t use soap or dip the stain in water, since the ring will be more noticeable than the stain.) To get out oil-based stains, wipe with a clean, dry cloth dampened with distilled water. </p><p><strong>From <em>Real Simple</em>: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/gallery/0,21863,1153865,00.html?xid=yshifabca1">Dry Cleaning 101</a></strong> </p><p><strong>Cashmere Care Tips</strong><br> Dry-clean woven cashmere when the fabric is dirty or stained. To remove dust, lint, or pet hair, put the item in the dryer on the air-fluff (no heat) setting for 15 minutes. For cashmere knits, hand wash with a mild detergent, such as Woolite, in cold water; lay flat to dry. </p><p><strong>Care Tip: </strong>Spot-cleaning can ruin the texture of cashmere knits; instead, dry-clean them. </p><p><strong>Silk Care Tips</strong><br> Hand wash silk knits with a mild detergent, such as Woolite, and lay flat to dry. Then put the item in the dryer on the air-fluff setting for two minutes to restore the fabric. Dry-clean all other types of silk, such as tussah. (Most silk fibers will bunch together when washed.) </p><p><strong>Care Tip: </strong>Ask your dry cleaner to use a shorter, more delicate cycle when cleaning silk. (A standard bulk cycle may ruin the fabric.) </p><p><strong>From <em>Real Simple</em>: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1814394-1541307,00.html?xid=yshifabca2">Stain Removal 101</a></strong> </p><p><strong>Wool Care Tips</strong><br> Dry-clean blankets and throws when the fabric is dirty. To remove dust, lint, or pet hair from blankets, throws, and pillows, put them in the dryer with no heat for 15 minutes. Vacuum chairs and couches regularly to remove surface dirt. (Do not use a bristle brush, since it will cause the wool to pill.) </p><p><strong>Care Tip: </strong>To remove stains on wool furniture (such as the wool pillow pictured, second from bottom) , contact a cleaning professional. Look in the Yellow Pages under &quot;upholstery cleaner.&quot; </p><p><strong>Suede and Ultrasuede Care Tips</strong><br> Machine-wash Ultrasuede cushions, pillows, and slipcovers (check the labels -- many home furnishings are made of this material) on the delicate cycle using a mild detergent, such as Woolite. Line-dry or tumble-dry on a low temperature setting. Clean suede and Ultrasuede upholstery and suede accessories by brushing lightly with a medium-bristle suede brush (sold at shoe-repair shops). </p><p><strong>Care Tip: </strong>To remove stains on Ultrasuede (pictured, bottom), apply a mild detergent, such as Woolite, and water. Rub to form suds, then rinse. To get out stains from suede, contact a cleaning professional. Look in the Yellow Pages under &quot;leather cleaner.&quot; </p><p><strong>More from <em>Real Simple</em>:<br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1814394-1602280,00.html?xid=yshifabca3">Laundry Room Makeover</a><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1814394-1083528,00.html?xid=yshifabca4">6 Stain-Busters That Really Work</a><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1814394-684365,00.html?xid=yshifabca5">How to Set Up an Efficient Laundry Room</a></strong> </p>