Understanding the basic dos and don’ts is primary to begin doing laundry. Even in basic chores, knowing the tips and guidelines can significantly impact your work.
You can level up your laundry skills by spotting the mistakes and mastering the basics. The guidelines below will transform your laundry routine, helping you preserve the freshness and originality of your clothes. In this article, we’ll dive into the ultimate guide on dos and don’ts of laundry to ensure fewer mistakes and more efficiency.
Dos:
● Sorting Colours
Splitting colours is essential to prevent colour fading and bleeding. Sort the whites, lights, and darks separately to maintain the vibrance of your clothes. Whites can easily be washed together, while colours should be sorted according to their hues to protect their original shades.
Tip:
Check the stains and spills on the garment to separate them beforehand to keep other clothes protected from the spots.
● Check Garments Tags
Carefully read the instructions on the fabric labels and tags about washing guidelines and instructions. Garment tags are a vital part you don’t want to miss out on because they specify gentle cycles, temperature settings, dry cleaning, or handwashing. You can ensure the longevity and quality of your garments by following those instructions.
● Laundry Bag for Delicate Care
Delicate fabrics such as silk, undergarments, lingerie, and laces should be placed in a laundry bag instead of putting them together. It will protect your soft clothing from getting stretched or damaged during the wash cycle or spin dry.
Tip:
You can use a pillowcase or DIY bag as an alternative to a laundry bag.
● The Right Amount of Detergent
You don’t want to leave detergent residue on your clothes. Always use the appropriate amount of detergent, which is vital for productive cleaning. Don’t forget to follow the instructions on the detergent packaging.
How-to:
Always use a measuring cup to ensure the approximate amount of detergent. Read the manual and add the laundry capsules before your clothes. Fill the machine with water, add detergent, fabric softener, and clothes the next.
● Keep the Door Open
After every wash, drying out the moisture from the insides of the washing machine is crucial to prevent mildew. Leave the door of the washer slightly open for air to dry the moistness and smell. It will help avoid the unpleasant odours developing suffocation for the next wash cycle.
● Water Temperature
Wash your clothes with warm or cold water to prevent fabric damage, shrinkage, and stretching. This essential guide to adjusting water temperature will increase the durability of your clothes and protect their colours from fading.
Consider getting a professional washing and ironing service for your best clothes so there’s no chances of messing them up!
How-To:
Use warm water for general and light clothes. Cold water is preferred for denim, cotton, and woollen fabric. Heavily soiled items and whites moderately require hot water.
● Keep Your Washer Clean
Washing machine cleaning is often overlooked, yet it is the most crucial step. Maintaining a washer by cleaning it thoroughly and checking its performance is a part of skilled Laundry Service.
Tip:
Use a damp cloth to wipe down the door and detergent compartments daily. Run an empty cycle with warm water and dilute vinegar in it. It will clean up the dirt buildup and give its interior a fresher look.
● Don’t Rush
Wait for the water, detergent, and softener to dilute properly. Then, when you add the stained clothes, let them sit for 10 to 30 minutes to react accurately and loosen dirt.
Tip:
Rinse it with cold water for quick ironing, as it will minimise the wrinkles.
Don’ts:
1. Overload Your Machine
Overstuffing your washing machine can lead to ineffective cleaning. Overloading your machine won’t have sufficient space for clothes to move freely. It can strain the appliance’s motor and reduce its efficiency.
2. Leaving Anything in Your Pockets
You mustn't leave any metal items in your pockets that can damage your appliances and fabric. Before tossing clothes into the washer, check and empty all pockets to avoid unwanted problems.
Precaution:
Beware of leaving coins, keys, and cash in your pocket to prevent severe damage.
3. Avoid Softener Fall
Fabric softeners or conditioners usually be used for fragrance and reducing static to prevent wrinkles. Avoid pouring it on the top of the laundry, as it can leave potential stains on your clothes. Don’t forget to read the instructions in the manual.
Tip:
If you don’t have fabric softener, you can use baking soda or vinegar as an alternative. It will not necessarily add fragrance to your clothes; however, it will eliminate foul odours.
4. Using Excessive Detergent
The more is not merrier in this case, as it will be a big mistake. Pouring excessive amounts of detergent in your wash can lead to troubles. It will leave unwanted residue, making your clothes stiff and discoloured. You must check your fabric range and detergent’s instructions to avoid overuse. Using more detergent than needed can also lead to wastage and excessive buildup, which will wear down the machine.
Precaution:
Do not get yourself exposed to the detergent suds while doing laundry. If you get an allergic reaction from the exposure, you should take an oatmeal bath to reduce itching and inflammation.
5. Drowning Your Clothes for Long
Leaving your clothes in the water for an extended period can cause the growth of mould and mildew. When you finish the wash cycle, immediately take them to the dryer to free them from unpleasant smells.
Tip:
Your wet laundry will smell bad after 8-12 hours of staying in the water. It is highly recommended to give it another wash.
Hacks to remove stains from your clothes
No one can be adventurous without stains and spots on their clothes. And not all hacks work best for each mishap. Here are a few tips that you can use to remove stains from your clothes.
- If you ever get a mark from a permanent pen on your clothes, use toothpaste to clean it up. Apply a moderate amount, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then wash it off.
- Citric acid works best for stubborn stains. Lemon juice and vinegar are powerful enough to kill mould and mildew and remove metal stains.
- Phosphoric acid in the cola can help you remove that odd blood stain.
- Have you accidentally encountered an oily mishap? If yes, then baby powder works like magic. Let it sit for 5-6 minutes, and rub it off your clothes.
- Deodorant spots can scare us but disappear when they are hit with friction. Rub the area with other clothing, especially microfiber cloth or nylon, to make the spot invisible.
- A cotton nail remover can wipe off the ink spill in just a few seconds.
- If excessive sweating is making your dress look yellowy and noticeable, baking soda works wonders for sweat on your clothes. Baking soda is also effective for removing foundation spills.
- For coffee and chocolate stains, dish soap is surprisingly effective for removing them quickly.
To Sum Up:
Laundry can be an exhausting chore, leading us to procrastinate. Applying these dos and don’ts will make it easier and simpler. Freshen up your laundry routine by opting for these convenient approaches. If you feel getting acquainted with the world of laundry is too much of a hassle, look no further than our laundry and home ironing service!
Book our professional and affordable services now if you are based in London and want hassle-free laundry. Our delivery service is flexible, and we also provide same-day service. Save your time and experience laundry and ironing services at their finest!
