Apparently we did some things wrong!
You would think doing laundry is one of the easier chores; you put the laundry in the washing machine and you just have to make sure you don’t use the wrong detergent. And that you use the correct water temperature, of course. But other than that, it seems like a job that’s hard to screw up. Well, apparently there are some things we got wrong when it comes to washing.
1. The amount of detergent
If you think more cleaning stuff equals cleaner stuff, you might be surprised to learn that using a lot of detergent backfires. Kate Hanks from Hampr and Jenna Arkin from ECOS told Well + Good: “Using excess detergent or excess fragrance beads causes buildup in the fibers of your clothes that trap dirt and bacteria.” That’s why they recommend using only one or two tablespoons of dish soap.
2. Prepare your laundry
This means that you have to close the zippers and buttons. If your clothes have a border, it is good to wash them inside out. Arkin explains, “This prevents snags when zippers or trims snag on other garments.” And that includes socks. Do not leave them rolled up or inside out. Hanks explains, “Washing these items rolled up doesn’t give the dirt a chance to wash out.”
3. The cargo
Smaller loads are better according to the experts. “If the drum is too full, it becomes more difficult for the detergent to penetrate each garment and completely remove stains,” explains Arkin to Well + Good. “Doing smaller loads means less re-washing if the stains don’t come out and even reduces drying time.” But it is also important to sort your clothes. And that doesn’t just apply to color. You should keep heavier items separate from the lighter ones. And Hanks explains why: “Heavy items like jeans can rub hard on delicate fabrics like lace, causing excessive wear or even damage over time.” And immediately remove your laundry from the machine. This way you prevent mold from forming on your washed clothes.
4. Settings
It’s always easier to do something exactly the same way you’ve always done it. But all the settings on the washing machine have a purpose. And it may be worth finding out exactly what each of them does. This way you wash your laundry at the right settings. “Permanent press works well for the standard load of household laundry,” says Hanks. “A quick wash is great for a small load of lightly soiled items that you want to wash in half the normal time.” The heavy program should be used for fabrics such as jeans.
Another thing to keep in mind is that different water temperatures also serve a purpose. Hanks explains, “…cold water works best for items that can shrink and prevents dark colors from bleeding through.” Warm water is best for “moderately soiled clothing and man-made fabrics such as polyester.” And you should only use hot water for “towels, heavy cotton, bedding, or items that are heavily soiled.”
Now you’ll never make these common laundry mistakes again!
Read more: Do you really need different types of detergent?
Source: Well + Good | Image: Unsplash