How To Wash Clothes – Washing Clothes
The most basic help I have ever received was from my mother. It was this “Clean water = clean clothes”. Just like you this was not quiet what I expected to hear when I moved out of home. But it does make sense.
The first thing to start with is to sort out your clothes into groups of colours and textures. (You wouldn’t put a big fluffy towel with a soft thin expensive cotton shirt I hope).
Groups should be sorted into colours as such blacks, whites, dark and lights. Textures are much the same. Basically don’t put fluffy things into the wash with something you don’t want fluffy. Towels, socks and washcloths should go in the same pile. In some cases people don’t like to put socks in with towels as they don’t like the thought of somebody’s smelly socks going through your towels but you can put the two together.
White t-shirts, shorts, pants and cotton dresses can be in the same wash pile. Black t-shirts, shorts, pants and cotton dresses should be in a different wash pile. Expensive items such as some dresses and suits you should wash separately and read the label very closely. For the most part a soft hand wash will do but if there are no labels or you are unsure just take them to a dry cleaner and they can help you out from there.
Items that should never go in the washing machine (should be clear) include designer suites and dresses, Wedding dresses and tuxedos, shoes and plastic raincoats.
It is recommended that you read the labels on each of your clothing items before you commence machine washing.
To do with water temperatures. I choose to wash everything in cold water. I use the warm water to wash extra dirty or greasy clothes. I only use hot setting to wash tea towels and extremely dirty items. Note that washing clothes in warm or hot water can and most likely will shrink your clothes. I’m talking about turning size fourteen denims into size 6. Also washing in hot or warm water is much more expensive these days and cold water with the right soaps works a charm.
Speaking of soaps. It is important to get the right soap for the right clothes and water temperature.
A lot of brands have cold wash soaps, which we will mostly use. The enzymes in a cold wash powder will not do their job properly in warm or hot water. Same with hot or warm wash soaps which need the warmth to activate the enzymes. If washing delicate clothes there are products like fabric softener you can use or a powder with fabric softener already mixed in with the powder. Just head down to your local supermarket and spend some time reading the packaging on the different powders and soaps you can use.
Dealing with stains is all about product research. You can use a bit of tough elbow grease on some items like thick denims and outdoor work clothes but generally, for softer thinner, items you should use the correct stain removal product (found in the same isle at your supermarket). Just take the time to read all the labels and ask staff for their help or opinion in the shopping complex you are in.
Side note; my mother gave me another tip regarding stains and I use it also. Please use at your own discretion. “Use sugar soap to remove stains you get great results and it is not an expensive product”.
Choosing wash cycles is important but easy. If you have delicate clothes in a pile them choose the delicate setting. If your delicate items are especially dirty you might select a wash cycle with a soak function.
If you are washing work clothes or kids wear you would most probably choose a regular wash setting. For extra dirty or greasy items simply choose Heavy-duty wash. Refer to your washing machines user manual for extra detail in this matter.
Please note this is just a guide and I am only writing out of my own experience. Any ruined or spoiled items that you may encounter after reading or utilizing this guide cannot be attributed to this guide. The purpose of this guide should be for research purposes into the subject only.
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Good job