Many people tend to throw their dirty clothes directly into the washing machine and hit start. However, if you don’t know the proper way to do laundry, your clothes will inevitably end up wrinkled and faded.
1. Improper Sorting of Clothes
Besides sorting clothing by color, pay attention to the fabric type. For instance, fleece garments should be washed separately. Also, avoid washing towels with synthetic fabrics.
2. Over-Scrubbing Stains
Don’t be surprised if you find holes in your clothes, as this is often the result of scrubbing stains too vigorously. In reality, you can gently lift stains without aggressive rubbing. To avoid holes, place a white cloth over the stain and soak it.
3. Using Too Much Detergent
Excess detergent leads to excessive suds that don’t rinse out completely. These suds trap dirt in areas like shirt collars instead of washing them clean. So, use only the recommended amount of detergent.
4. Not Zipping up Clothes
Always zip up garments before washing to prevent the zipper from damaging other items in the load.
5. Buttoning Shirts
On the other hand, unbutton shirts and other garments, as keeping them buttoned can lead to popped buttons and misaligned buttonholes.
6. Overusing Bleach
Bleach is harsh on fabrics and can quickly damage clothes. Instead, try boiling clothes with a bit of detergent and a few drops of lemon juice.
7. Machine Washing Swimwear
Swimwear, like sportswear, is often made of spandex or elastane (synthetic fibers with high elasticity). So, avoid machine washing swimwear. Instead, hand wash with cool water.
8. Washing Pillows and Comforters Once
Down pillows can trap suds and soap, so if you’re washing them in the machine, run two consecutive cycles.
9. Overloading the Machine
Overloading the machine stresses it and may cause it to stop working. Moreover, it prevents proper cleaning and reduces the machine’s lifespan.
10. Improperly Washing Windbreakers and Hooded Jackets
To prevent these garments from getting tangled, place three tennis balls in the dryer. The balls will absorb the suds instead of your clothes.
11. Using Expensive Detergent
You don’t need to spend a fortune on detergent; instead, opt for cheaper and more accessible alternatives like lemon and salt. Salt brightens clothes and helps remove stains, while lemon juice softens and freshens them.
12. Neglecting to Clean the Washing Machine
Regularly cleaning your washing machine is crucial. Many machines have detergent compartments that can be pulled out and cleaned. Also, keep the machine door open after each use to allow the drum to air dry. Once a year, run a cleaning cycle with hot water and vinegar.
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