Everybody needs to wash their clothes - whether you're just setting out in your first 'own home' - or whether you're looking to put right a washing disaster Mrs B has some handy tips to help you along the way. She'll have you washing like a pro in no time at all!
Here’s how to do it:
Sort your washing before you start - lights, darks and mixed colours
Read the care labels for any special instructions
Treat stains & prepare items before washing
Use the right detergents for the job
Don't overfill your washing machine
Unload your washing machine as soon as you can once it's finished
1. Sorting your washing
Sorting your clothes into 3 main piles - lights/darks and mixed colours - will help to get the most from your washing machine and ensure that your clothes are getting the best treatment.
Lights can generally be washed hotter - you can even add bleach to keep your whites white. Light colours that are dirty will be massively improved with a hotter wash.
Using colder water for colours is not only better for the environment, but less dye will be released, helping to keep fading to a minimum. Also, cotton clothes should be washed cooler as it helps to reduce shrinkage. Adding a teaspoon of salt to your darker colours will help to reduce fading and brighten them up for you.
2. Read the care labels
The care labels within the garments will let you know if there is something that you should or shouldn't do to help maintain your clothes at their best and to keep them lasting longer.
They will let you know the recommended wash temperature - and whether it should go into your machine at all.
3. Treat stains and prepare
There are lots of products out there to treat stains on your fabrics. The secret is to do this before you put them in your machine. There are some simple home remedies that have been tried and tested that you might like to try - some of Mrs B's favourites are:
Grease/Oil - rub a little washing-up liquid directly into the stain
Blood - rub white vinegar or salt water into the stain and rinse under cold water. Try to do it as soon as you can - and don't use hot water!
Many stains can be removed by rubbing in Bicarbonate of soda mixed with a little water. Some may need to be left on for a while - overnight is best if you have the time.
To prepare your clothes for the washing machine there are a couple of tips that you might find helpful:
* Use a netted laundry bag (or you can use a pillow case) for delicate items (also useful for keeping those pesky socks together!)
* Tie sashes and strings to stop them tangling
* Hook bras - it stops them catching on things and stretching
* If in doubt - wash it inside out!
4. Use the right detergent
There are so many choices of washing detergents these days it can be a little overwhelming. There are a number of things that you might want to consider before you choose the one for you - and of course, those of you with sensitive skins will be best to use the non-bio detergents.
Liquid | Doubles as pre-wash stain remover | Less expensive | Harder to measure dosage | Least eco-friendly packaging |
Powder | Lowest average cost per load | Recyclable packaging | Hard to dissolve in cold water | Can be used to pre-treat stains |
Pod | Very convenient to use | Pre dosed - no measuring needed | May be toxic to pets and children | Usually most expensive option |
It's good to remember too that it's not good to use too much detergent. Don't be tempted to think that by adding a little extra detergent that your clothes will come out cleaner - it can actually prevent your clothes from being cleaned properly. Too much detergent can create too many suds which can trap the dirt onto the fabrics rather than remove it. ALWAYS use the recommended dose to get the best from your wash.
5. Don't overload your machine
We've all been tempted to fill the machine as much as we can to save a bit of time - or cut down on wash loads to save money. Just to let you know - it doesn't! Not only could you potentially cause your machine expensive damage, but your clothes won't wash properly and will possibly be damaged in the process.
6. Unload your machine once it's finished
Your washing will smell much fresher if you take it out as soon as possible. If you're unable to do it immediately, open the door and leave it open.
Remember all the dirt that's removed from your clothes will leave a residue in the pipes and parts of your machine. It's recommended that you clean out your machine at least every couple of months. Most modern machines have a cleaning setting and there are various products on the market that you can use to add to the drum to ensure a full 'flush through'. A good alternative is to add a cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of Bicarbonate of Soda to the drum. The water should be at the hottest setting and the liquid should be allowed to sit in the drum for around an hour (pause it if you need to). Your machine will be shiny and smelling fresh and working at it's best for you after a bit of TLC.
Remember - for all those specialist cleans - dry cleaning, duvets, wedding dresses etc we're always here to help out. Just give us a call/message for any advice or cleaning prices
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