Quiz: Fabric Care 101

Cotton can easily scorch, so make sure that iron is nice and cool.

Sheets with thread counts of 1,000 or more use cotton fibers that are thinner than usual. These fibers are prone to breakage when exposed to hot temperatures, so these sheets should be washed in warm water and dried on a cool setting.

If you want to avoid matting on that favorite fleece, wash warm, remove it quickly and hang it up to dry.

Linen is one of those fabrics that you should always dry clean, if you want it to retain its shape and feel.

Dust off those '70s clothes by washing on warm.

If you must wash rayon at home, use your hands and some lukewarm water.

Bleach weakens the fibers of cotton sheets.

It's best not to mess with trying to clean silk yourself. Take it to a trusted dry cleaner.

Some stains should be left to the pros, others can be cared for at home, but never, ever rub it. Always blot.

The care label is there for a reason. Always follow the recommendations on the label.

Down comforters can be machine washed, but it needs to be in a large capacity front loader that can handle the weight of wet down.

That would be the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC for short.

Never iron a stained article of clothing or you're likely going to make it a permanent addition.

Some fabrics and dyes simply can't stand up to what it takes to remove a stain.

You should never bleach Lycra. It's just not a good idea.

Spandex holds up best when washed in lukewarm water.

If you're careful, you can machine wash suede clothing on gentle cycles.

Wool blankets usually only require washing once or twice a year.

Sometimes the manufacturer doesn't properly shrink pre-shrunk clothing, so they can actually shrink even more in high heat.

Direct sunlight and open air is what your wet wool needs.