Soaking clothes in water for a period of time is an action you might think will help pre-treat dirty clothes before washing, especially when soaking them in the washing machine. However, this is a common mistake that not many people are aware of. Let’s explore the reasons behind this in the article below.
1 Should You Soak Clothes in the Washing Machine?
Soaking clothes in water before washing is, in fact, a correct practice. Soaking helps reduce bacteria in clothes as they loosen and dissolve in the water.
Soaking clothes in the washing machine for too long is not ideal
Particularly, stains will react chemically with water, making them less likely to cling to the fabric fibers, thus facilitating the cleaning process.
However, the issue here is how long should we soak the clothes for? Because the longer you soak, the more likely bacteria will return and reside in your clothes, making them smell and not getting cleaned 100%.
2 The Right Way to Soak Clothes
Hence, it is necessary to understand the correct way to soak clothes. According to experts, the ideal soaking time is approximately 30 minutes.
The best soaking time for clothes is 30 minutes
As mentioned earlier, soaking for too long is not good for your clothes. It will not only make them smell but also cause the fabric to deteriorate, reducing their durability and potentially causing skin allergies, especially for children’s clothing and those with sensitive skin.
Additionally, before soaking, remember to sort your clothes by color, level of dirtiness, and type. Some clothes may bleed color if soaked for too long, staining other garments.
Sort your clothes before soaking to avoid color bleeding and staining
Also, avoid overcrowding the washing machine with too many clothes at once. Many households tend to do this to save electricity and water, but it compromises the cleaning process as the clothes don’t have enough space to agitate and release dirt and bacteria effectively.
Don’t overcrowd the washing machine; it will compromise the cleaning process
Overloading the machine puts excessive pressure on its motor, forcing it to work at maximum capacity, reducing its lifespan and increasing electricity consumption. Therefore, always consider the recommended load capacity to ensure efficient and gentle cleaning for your clothes and prolonged appliance durability.
3 Things to Note When Soaking Clothes
To ensure you are soaking your clothes correctly and avoiding any potential damage, keep in mind the following key points before starting the process:
Dissolve a small amount of detergent to enhance bacteria removal
- Soak clothes for around 30 minutes before washing to allow bacteria and dirt to loosen and dissolve in the water.
- Always separate white and colored garments to prevent color bleeding and staining.
- Sort clothes by fabric type, such as wool, silk, denim, and leather, as they have different care requirements.
- Dissolve a small amount of detergent in the water before soaking to enhance bacteria removal and stain loosening, resulting in cleaner clothes!
In conclusion, we hope this article has provided valuable insights into the correct way to soak and wash your clothes to maintain their quality and longevity.
