for washing. Nylon nets have generally replaced cotton  nets.  They  resist  chemicals  better  than cotton  and  thus  last  longer.  They  also  increase  the payload. You  can  do  effective  washing  with  laundry nets,  provided  you  do  not  overload  them.  You must give the water and soap a chance to get to the  clothes  in  order  to  remove  soil. Nets  are  especially  useful  for  separating  small items  such  as  handkerchiefs  or  socks  from  the larger  articles.  There  are  two  general  types  of nylon  nets—woven  and  knitted.  Woven  nets  do not  stretch  and  thus  retain  their  size;  knitted  nets have a tendency to stretch and increase in size. For  this  reason,  the  range  of  knitted  nets  in capacities  is  given  below: Size in Inches Capacity  in  Pounds 9  by  15  or  10  by  15 2  to  4 24 by 36 8 to 12 Steps in Identifying Individual Lots The   procedure   for   identifying   items   in individual bundles described in detail herein has been  used  successfully  in  shipboard  operation. You may be able to modify this procedure to fit your own needs. The steps in the procedure are as  follows: 1.  Work  on  ONLY  ONE  individual  bundle at  a  time;  this  prevents  mixing  of  items  from several bundles. 2.  Remove  the  laundry  list  from  the  bundle and  determine  from  the  individual’s  name  and social security number what the laundry mark will be. This mark is made from the first letter of the individual’s last name and the last four numbers of  the  individual’s  social  security  number.  For example, the laundry mark for SHCM Frederick M.  Wishnacht,  123-45-6789,  would  be  W-6789. This is the standard type of laundry mark used throughout  the  Navy. 3.  Set  the  individual’s  laundry  mark  on  the marking machine and stamp it across the face of the  laundry  list.  Check  the  mark  for  accuracy. This list now denotes ownership of laundry in the bundle. 4. Count every article in the laundry bundle and enter the number in the correct block on the laundry list. If your count does not agree with that of  the  customer,  ask  the  senior  laundry  man  to recheck it. When the senior laundry man’s count is in disagreement with that of the customer, he or  she  should  enter  the  correct  count  on  the laundry  list,  circle  the  customer’s  count,  then initial  the  circle  and  notify  the  customer  of  the change through whoever brought in the laundry bundle. 5.  Check  each  article  for  a  correct  legible mark. If there is not a mark, put ONE ONLY in the proper place (explained later). Do NOT mark such items as bath towels, wet articles, or dark- colored  fabrics.  Use  pronged  marking  tags  on these items. These tags are narrow strips of cloth approximately  1  inch  long  with  metal  fasteners in  the  ends.  Push  the  metal  fasteners  through  the material  and  press  them  flat  on  the  other  side. Enter  the  correct  identification  on  the  tags. 6.  Check  the  inside  of  all  pockets  for  any articles  such  as  pens,  pencils,  lighters,  combs,  and so  forth.  If  any  items  are  found  in  the  pockets, a notation should be made on the NAVSUP Form 233,  Ship’s  Store  Laundry  List,  and  also  in  the laundry  logbook  so  these  items  can  be  returned to  the  owner. 7. Check all articles of clothing for any tears, stains, missing buttons, and so forth. Any items found  to  be  damaged  should  be  noted  on  the reverse  side  of  the  laundry  list  and  also  in  the Remarks  column  of  the  laundry  logbook. 8.  Clear  the  laundry  marking  machine  by setting all type to the neutral position when you finish with one bundle. You are ready to start on another  bundle. Location of the Laundry Mark There is a standard spot for the laundry mark on each article. If the mark is correctly placed in this location, the receiving clerk can check items in  easily  and  quickly.  The  clerk  can  also  check and assemble finished articles without unfolding them.  The  locations  of  laundry  marks  are  as follows: Underwear—On  the  inside  of  the  waist- band,  left  of  center  of  the  label. Handkerchiefs—Do  NOT  mark.  Put  them in a net and identify with a marked strip tag placed on  the  inside  or  pinned  on  the  outside.  Some handkerchiefs  are  made  of  fine  linen  and  are expensive. A mark would be ugly if used on such articles  and  exposed  to  view. Shirts—On  the  front  inside  shirttail. 5-11