Brush clothing frequently and, whenever possible, outdoors in the sunlight. Always brush and sun clothing before it is stored and when it is unpacked after storage. Clean clothing regularly when it is not in use. Dirty clothing wears out rapidly because the dirt cuts textile fibers and retains moisture from perspiration. Observe the following instructions:

l Wash cotton clothing, such as shirts, trousers, and socks, with soap or synthetic detergent in hot water.

. Wash untailored wool clothing, such as socks and glove inserts, in mild soap or synthetic detergent with lukewarm or cool water. Never use hot or boiling water. Stretch them into shape while they are drying.

. Dry-clean all tailored wool clothing, such as wool jackets and blues. Washing affects their tailored features.

l Remove stains or soil as soon as possible because the longer they remain the harder it is to get them out.

l Wipe coated clothing, such as ponchos and raincoats, with a clean cloth and wash with water and mild soap or synthetic detergent. Do NOT use cleaning fluid on coated fabrics.

. Wash synthetic fabrics, such as stretch-type socks, in mild soap or synthetic detergent, using lukewarm or cool water.

PRESSING CLOTHING

Press clothing after it has been cleaned and all spots removed. Never press dirty clothing. Observe the following instructions when pressing:

l Make certain the iron is not too hot. Use the temperature settings on the iron as required for the type of clothing being pressed.

l Use a damp cloth between the iron and the fabric when pressing wool clothing.

. Dampen the surface of cotton clothing and apply the iron directly to it; when a steam iron is used, dampening is not required.

STORING CLOTHING

Observe the following instructions when storing clothing:

l Make certain the clothing is clean.

l Brush, sun, and air-dry all wool and cotton clothing before storing to avoid mildew in humid weather. Do not fold clothing when wet or place wet clothing in a bag or pack Use naphthalene or mothballs to protect wool clothing from insects.

l Make certain that coated clothing is cool and dry before folding it for storage. When possible, fold it so a coated side is against an uncoated side to avoid sticking. When possible, dust-coat clothing with talcum before storing.

REPLACING BUTTONS

Observe the following procedures when replacing buttons:

1. First, thread the needle and tie the two ends of the thread together.

2. Put the needle through the cloth and stitch several times to anchor the end of the thread.

3. Next, put the needle through the button and allow it to slide down the thread.

4. Stitch through the cloth and the holes, first on one side then on the other. Hold the button away from the cloth, just a little, to help prevent straining the cloth.

5. After sewing, wrap a few turns of thread around the stitches between the button and the cloth. Finish up by stitching through the wrapped thread a number of times and locking the stitches with a knot.

REPAIRING RIPS AND TEARS

To mend a ripped seam, place the two edges together and sew, keeping the stitches small and in line with those already made. To mend a tear, place the two edges on the wrong (or inside) side and sew together. To mend a frayed edge, turn the edge under and sew.