5 smart laundry tips to make your life easier
Although doing laundry is usually considered a basic life skill, it can be a tedious and frustrating job for those who lack previous experience. Very few of us have ever faced a stain that was hard to get rid of. However, the washing process of strong stains may result in damaged fabric and loss of colour. Whether you are looking for some advice for regular laundry or heavy cleansing after some disaster, here are some tips to make your life easier on such occasions.
Sort your clothes
The very first step in doing laundry should be organising clothes made of similar fabrics in the same category and washing them in smaller loads. While it is understandable if you do not have an abundance of time or patience for repeating the task, a smaller load will result in better cleansing and reduce the possibility of damage. If you are using a washing machine, it will also give the washer much-needed space for detergent dispersal.
Check the labels
Never forget to check the labels of your clothes for special care instructions like "Dry wash only" or "Hand wash only". Such instructions may also come in symbols. If you notice a symbol with a cross sign (usually iron or dryer), proceed with caution and make sure that such treatments are not applied to that particular piece.
Beware of the water temperature
Be careful about the temperature of the water in which you are washing your clothes as it can have a significant impact on fabrics. Cold water is recommended for silk and woollen clothing to protect them from damage; garments such as socks and underwear to avoid stretching or shrinking; and sensitive fabrics that may bleed colours.
Use considerably warm water for organic fabrics like cotton, linen, and clothes with oil or grease stains
Check out your clothes for colour bleeding
No one wishes for a dress with unexpected patches of pink or purple but that is exactly what might come true in the case of an indiscriminate mixture of varied fabrics with different colours. In order to avoid such an unfortunate fate to your favourite clothes, always wash the white items separately. You can also check for possible colour bleeding by drenching a cotton swab and rubbing it rigorously on a seam. If the swab catches colour, that cloth will bleed with almost certainty.
Keep an eye out for colour fading
Colour fading after a wash is a common issue among clothes with a darker shade which may cause them to look cheap, old, and worn out. To avoid such an unexpected outcome, do not forget to turn your clothes inside out before you add them to the washer. This step also protects your clothes from possible abrasions and other damage on the fabric surface. If you wish your black clothes to remain black, you should also avoid washing them in hot water.