The Top 10 Tips For Successful Laundry
Laundry is something that many of us do everyday. Even if you've been doing laundry for years, these tips will help you get the best results every time.
Selecting the right water temperature is key for success. Cold water is for fine fabrics, items that might shrink and sensitive dark colors. Warm water is appropriate for moderately soiled clothing and man-made fabrics. Hot water should be used for bedding and towels, cotton whites and really dirty work clothes.
When whites start going gray or yellow, it could be because you are using water temperatures that might be too low. Another reason is that your are overloading your washer and piling in really dirty clothes that cause dirt to resettle on mildly soiled clothes making them dull. Learn how to get them bright and white again.
By turning dark-colored clothes inside out before washing you can avoid abrasion and wear to fabric surfaced that cause dull appearances. There are other tips to keep black clothes black.
But what about all that dye that is running out every time I wash jeans. Can I stop it?
The best way to avoid shrinking or stretching in clothing is to use a cold water setting, avoid too much agitation and the dryer. Hang the item to dry and learn more about why clothes shrink.
Keep whites separate so dark dyes don't ruin them. In other words, always sort your clothes correctly. To find out if something is colorfast, drop a little water on an inside corner or seam and see if the dye runs. If it does, hand wash separately.
And, if the red sock did fall into the white load of clothes, learn how to remove the dye stains.
Wash delicate undergarments by hand in a sink filled with cool water. Or, toss bras in a mesh lingerie bag and use the delicate cycle. Learn more tips on how to handle all types of lingerie.
Using too much detergent can create so many suds that they trap soil redepositing it on clothes. Try using one-half less than the recommended amount and see if you are pleased with the results. Your clothes will look better and you'll save money.
And, if you have a front load washer that smells terrible, using less detergent may solve your problem.
Powdered detergents work well for general loads and are usually less expensive. Liquid detergents which usually contain enzymes are good for pretreating stains and removing food. But what about the new single dose pods, packs and tablets?
Act now! Rinse or soak the garment in cold water, apply a stain remover and get it to the washer. Stain still there? Never put the garment in the dryer. Use a stain remover and rewash. And, be sure to use the right stain removal technique for each type of stain.
Who has time to iron? Use a fabric softener or dryer sheet to help reduce fabric wrinkles and select the lowest dryer temperature setting possible that will still get the job done. Always remove clothing from dryer as quickly as possible when dry and fold or hang.
•Select the Right Water Temperature
Selecting the right water temperature is key for success. Cold water is for fine fabrics, items that might shrink and sensitive dark colors. Warm water is appropriate for moderately soiled clothing and man-made fabrics. Hot water should be used for bedding and towels, cotton whites and really dirty work clothes.
•Why Whites Lose Their Bright
When whites start going gray or yellow, it could be because you are using water temperatures that might be too low. Another reason is that your are overloading your washer and piling in really dirty clothes that cause dirt to resettle on mildly soiled clothes making them dull. Learn how to get them bright and white again.
•Reduce Fading
By turning dark-colored clothes inside out before washing you can avoid abrasion and wear to fabric surfaced that cause dull appearances. There are other tips to keep black clothes black.
But what about all that dye that is running out every time I wash jeans. Can I stop it?
•Avoid Shrinking
The best way to avoid shrinking or stretching in clothing is to use a cold water setting, avoid too much agitation and the dryer. Hang the item to dry and learn more about why clothes shrink.
•Avoid Bleeding Colors
Keep whites separate so dark dyes don't ruin them. In other words, always sort your clothes correctly. To find out if something is colorfast, drop a little water on an inside corner or seam and see if the dye runs. If it does, hand wash separately.
And, if the red sock did fall into the white load of clothes, learn how to remove the dye stains.
•Handle Delicates with Care
Wash delicate undergarments by hand in a sink filled with cool water. Or, toss bras in a mesh lingerie bag and use the delicate cycle. Learn more tips on how to handle all types of lingerie.
•Use Less Detergent
Using too much detergent can create so many suds that they trap soil redepositing it on clothes. Try using one-half less than the recommended amount and see if you are pleased with the results. Your clothes will look better and you'll save money.
And, if you have a front load washer that smells terrible, using less detergent may solve your problem.
•Select the Right Detergent
Powdered detergents work well for general loads and are usually less expensive. Liquid detergents which usually contain enzymes are good for pretreating stains and removing food. But what about the new single dose pods, packs and tablets?
•Catch Stains Quickly
Act now! Rinse or soak the garment in cold water, apply a stain remover and get it to the washer. Stain still there? Never put the garment in the dryer. Use a stain remover and rewash. And, be sure to use the right stain removal technique for each type of stain.
•Reduce Wrinkles
Who has time to iron? Use a fabric softener or dryer sheet to help reduce fabric wrinkles and select the lowest dryer temperature setting possible that will still get the job done. Always remove clothing from dryer as quickly as possible when dry and fold or hang.
