Whether you’re new to laundry or just want to improve your skills, there are plenty of tips for beginners. Some of the best ways to save time and energy include using cold water, air-drying clothes and pre-treating stains. Depending on the fabric you’re washing, you can separate your baskets based on weight and type.
Cold water is gentler on clothes than hot water
Using cold water to wash clothes is not only more efficient, but it also is more gentle on your clothes than hot water. The cold water helps preserve your clothes’ colors by preventing fading. It also reduces wrinkling, bleeding and shrinkage.
The hot water that is used for washing your clothes can cause damage to certain fabrics. You should not use hot water on delicate fabrics like silk or cotton. It can also shrink jeans.
The temperature of the water you use affects the effectiveness of your detergent. Your detergents lose their effectiveness when the water is over 75 degrees. So, it is important to make sure your clothes are not too stained to be washed in warm or hot water.
Some stains require cold water to remove. Blood stains, for example, can be easily removed with cold water. Oil-based stains are harder to get rid of, so you should pre-treat them with an oil-based stain remover before you wash them in cold water.
Pre-treat stains before washing
Using pre-treatment before washing will help remove stains and improve the quality of your laundry. Most stains will wash out in one wash, but some stubborn stains may need more attention. Some stains will require special attention and you might need a dedicated stain remover.
Most stains can be treated with a good detergent. For instance, if your clothes have food grease on them, they should be treated with a detergent formulated to lift stains. You can also use a bar of soap as a pre-treatment. The bar will melt in hot water, and will then dissolve into a jellylike substance that you can rub into the stain before you wash.
For more stubborn stains, you might want to try a commercial pre-treatment product. These products will often last for several hours before washing and are designed to work well on a wide range of fabrics.
The best pre-treatments are the ones that you can carry with you on the go. You can get a laundry stick, or a spray bottle that has a spray applicator. These types of products are easier to use and take up less room in the laundry basket.
Air dry your clothes
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced washer, air drying clothes is an easy way to keep your garments looking great. However, you should follow the proper procedures to prevent damage and maintain their original form and fit.
The first step is to make sure that your garments are free from stains. When you’re doing your laundry, avoid using dirty laundry pegs or a line that has been previously soiled. If you’re using a line, wipe it down with a sponge soaked in warm water.
Next, you should decide where you will hang your clothes. Ideally, you should hang them in a place with good ventilation. You can use a clothesline, a drying rack, or even a shower curtain rod.
Depending on the type of fabric, you can dry your garments on the low or medium settings of your dryer. For knit sweaters, you should use a mesh flat drying rack.
To avoid wrinkling, you should shake your clothes before you hang them. You can also use liquid fabric softener to reduce the stiffness of air-dried linens.
