Have you noticed that almost everything you interact with throughout the day comes with recommended care instructions? Some are simpler than others, but for the most part, there is a certain way that everything must be treated in order for it to thrive.
I may not always do it, but I know that I am supposed to:
- Wash wool sweaters on cold and then lie them flat to dry
- Change my AC air filters every 3-6 months
- Wash my workout clothes without fabric softener in warm water and then dry on low
- Run 48 ounces of undiluted white vinegar through my Keurig every 3-6 months
- Feed my puppy ¼ cup three times a day, and make sure there are no meat by-products in her food
- Keep my orchids in bright, but indirect, sun although they require some time in the shade
But, I’m the first one to admit that I have ruined more than one delicate garment by accidentally throwing it in on hot and drying it until it shriveled like a raisin. As a matter of fact, an unfortunate number of my possessions have passed through my hands as if disposable because I didn’t read the care instructions—or even more likely—I was just moving too fast to be able to give them the totally customized care they needed.
Of course I’m not writing this article to teach you how to wash your delicates. Let’s agree, a silk top is a silk top. It can be replaced. But what if we’re talking about a person? It’s not so easy, or inexpensive, or even humane to replace a person because you failed to know how to care for him. That’s a whole different league of handling with care!
