Avoid these Common Laundry Mistakes

Trista - January 27, 2020
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We need to be reliant on a chores to lead a healthy and hygienic lifestyle. Some chores are done with in minutes, while some are time consuming and just plain annoying like laundry, for example. The clothes never stop piling, and you have to clean them with both a lot of care and money.

The word laundry itself holds an air of irritation when said by anyone, and you have to agree! That time of the week when you have to face the laundry pile is bad enough, but what makes it even worse is when you try to avoid it. If you are searching for handy laundry tips to make the time shorter then you came to the right place. After all, you can make several mistakes during laundry to make the chore that much longer. Not only that, you can ruin your clothes, so start to take notes.

First Thing’s First: Sort the Laundry

It feels like a chore to do this part, but sorting your laundry will make it go faster. Shutterstock.

Trying to finish your laundry in a hurry can actually hamper the whole effort. Many of you might have definitely experienced this. The crucial first step to getting your laundry done right is to sort them properly. It makes your task simple, helps the laundry turn out safe and much faster. The first thing you must do when starting laundry is sort the clothes. You will come up with several piles, depending on the type of wardrobe you have in your closet (or in this case, on the floor). You want to make separate sections for darks, whites, colors, denim, towels, and so on, but also by material.

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Color stains are the worst thing that can happen to your expensive clothes. You will need to make sure that the darker or relevantly closer colored lot is being washed at once, while the lighter or whiter ones need to be cleaned at a different go. This rule applies to not only the lighter or darker lots but the ones that you feel can release colors while washing and hamper other clothes.

Organize Per Fabric and Person

Delicate laundry needs to be washed separately from other fabrics. Photo Credit: Tucson

Now consider the materials and sort them separately. This concept is to protect the texture of the fabrics that can save your clothes from tearing off. Make sure that the pieces of clothes with zipping, chains, and sharp edges or designed buttons are washed with special care. Separate your delicates as well from the rest of your laundry, as they need a much gentler cycle to avoid tearing.

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Kids’ clothes have more stains and dirt on them, so you should create a separate pile for kid clothes or pet items.  It is a helpful idea as the kid’s and pet’s clothes are the muddiest ones or contain food stains or debris. So pile them up to a separate lot, and you are done with the basics of sorting. It’s best to get a helping hand when you are sorting your laundry.

Water Temperature is Important

Read the labels on your clothes to pick the right temperature. Photo Credit: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

Water temperature plays a significant role in keeping your clothes as good as new. It is considered that the more you wash, the more your clothes attain an old look. However, it shall not apply if you use the right water temperature. Cold water washes are best for the fabrics that are delicate in texture and color. You can use it for soiled outfits, dark-colored cloth, and suitable options. Cold water will also save your costs of the utility.

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Lukewarm water needs to be used wisely. It is apt for permanent press fabrics or synthetic fabrics. If you want to get rid of hard stains, warm water with a strong detergent is a good option. Hot water washers are the best for used, old, or worn-out clothes. Bed sheets, pillow covers, socks, kid’s clothes, sports attires are perfect to be rinsed in hot water. It might not protect the material much but will get it cleansed. Cellulosic fibers, cotton, wool, are some of the delicate fabrics most affected by water temperature and make sure you being slightly cautious about such materials.

Keep Your Clothes Protected in the Washing Machine and Dryer

Nothing is more annoying than clothes getting torn in the laundry. Shutterstock.

One of the biggest disappointments is when your precious purchases go into a vein by just a little mindless mistake! Here are some of the pointers that you need to keep in mind if you want your clothes to be safely and correctly washed. Zip up your jeans to save the rest of your laundry. Zippers are probably the greatest foe of clothes, especially the ones that are made of delicate fabrics.

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So either you put the collection of the zippers separately or make sure that all of the zippers are closed. Not only zippers but even undergarment hooks are quite risky for being washed with the other clothes. In this case, you can consider another protection, which is a lingerie bag. It’s an ideal option to clean your undergarments or comparatively small-sized garments. They are not very expensive and are also readily available online.

Washing and Drying Machine Options

Using your dryer may be fast and efficient, but there’s nothing wrong with hanging your clothes outside too. Shutterstock.

Just like washing, drying is a vital aspect that impacts the quality of your clothes after a certain point in time. Washer dryers are one of the most common and affordable options. They are a blend of a washer and dryer and are sometimes also equipped with integrated condenser dryers. Only minimum moisture is generated that releases itself in the room air.

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Heat-exchangers utilize plain water for cooling purposes. In this process, for both rinsing as well as drying, water is used. The drying part in these systems usually takes a little longer; however, the two-in-one washer and dryers are best for you if you are concerned about the spacing.

Vented Dryers, Heated Pump Dryers, and Condensing Dryers

Vented dryers lead to outside to keep the humidity down whereas condensing dryers work great on clothes that are quite sensitive to heat. Shutterstock.

This process is also called the tumbling procedure that heats the air and blows it via tumbling clothes. The damp, moist air is set out of your house via a duct. These dryers can be used by anyone comfortable with the duct procedure. The heated pump is a process often used by residences where any release of heat is unwelcome. Here the amount of damp air or moisture released is comparatively low. The air heats up and is released via damped clothes, the air inside is then cooled off, and the water is sapped off while the air is again reheated.

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Condenser dryers are quite popular in today’s time, and the reason is that it takes up very little space and can fit almost anywhere. In this dryer, the drying cycle releases less air and is comparatively quick. A heat exchanger is utilized in this process to get rid of the warm air that has passed via damped clothes. Also, this is a convenient drying option if you are looking forward to drying regular, as well as quality, delicate fabric clothes.

Laundry Products That Help With Cleaning

Pay attention to what you’re buying so that you don’t end up with ruined clothes. Shutterstock.

Laundry is no more of a headache after the emergence of these products. These are specially designed to get rid of the deadliest strains. They are induced with potent formulas that will only take a little of your time and effort to help you get rid of those stains permanently. Take a look at some of the products that have made laundry easy tasks so far for many and are readily available in the market. For example, dryer sheets are a great way to get rid of static in your clothing. Dryer sheets are popularly used around the world.

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They are often used to make a guard against the formation of the static energy during the machine drying in case of most of the fabrics; the sheets as well work as clothing material softeners that aid in resisting of the stains in the future and refrains the cloth from accumulating lint which makes ironing even more effortless. Some of the materials are tough to handle as per their fabric texture. If you have hard water, fabric softener will get rid of the minerals that make your clothes feel “crispy.” Fabric softeners work amazingly in these scenarios. They provide the fabric with a friendly texture to be ironed and used and cuts the time of drying as well. Not only that, but it also locks in the real colors of the fabrics and helps them stay bright.

Stain Removers

Stain fighting products combat even the toughest stains to return your clothes to normal. Shutterstock.

These are often used for cleaning pets, kids, or athletic clothes. They are specially designed for removing deep stains like marks from wine, dairy products, grasses, blood, and many more. You can count on these stain fighters, if not anything.

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It is a powerful remedy to almost all kinds of marks. It has a high-end cleansing and brightening formula that helps you get rid of mild marks as well as impossibly stubborn stains such as marks from an egg, tomato, coffee, paint, polish, or wine. Even if the stain is greasy or oily, it will help you reduce the level and strength of dye until you give it for a final wash and make it as good as new.

Clothing Whitener

Get brighter whites by just adding some whitener to your laundry. Shutterstock.

Do you believe in using comparatively eco-friendly products that work as an alternate option for beaching? Clothing whitener should be your choice. It is much more of a mild, effective, and safer option for both the clothes as well as your skin. These are best for white formal attire that you often use for office. It’s really disheartening when the expensive white shirts go all yellowish after a couple of times of use.

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It is free of sulfate and is best for sensitive skin. You can definitely use it for washing your kid’s cloth or anybody who is suffering from derma problems. The active ingredient used in it is sodium percarbonate, followed by essential oils, natural lemon, along with some of the active elements to get rid of dinginess, stains, and more. It is also great for you if you use hard water to get back the fantastic white look of your attire.

Detergent Pods

Instead of pre-measuring, some washers come with already-measured dispensers. Shutterstock.

Using detergent is more of a complicated job than what you think. In fact, it is one of the most significant tasks that will need your attention. Detergent bottles are usually bulky and clumsy and are often irritating to use. The specially designed laundry dispensers are excellent options to avoid overuse, save the amount, and many more.

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The specially-designed ones are made with an auto-filled technique that will already be present in your washing machine counter, and you can just use it for cleansing anytime you want to! Also, you can get rid of the bulky big plastic detergent bottles.

Laundry Baskets and Mesh Bags

Keep your clothes out of the way by using laundry baskets to keep everything organized. Photo Credit: Best Life Online

Good laundry is all about organizing. Laundry organizers are a solution to your problem, and you can consider them an option if you are often confused about sorting your laundry pile. Laundry baskets are annoyingly bulky and huge, but the organizers or collapsible ones are a perfect solution to your problem. You can carry them to your laundry store or room all the way through the staircases, roads easily as they fold only to three inches when closed. But when you open them, you can put a decent amount of load in it, which will be more than enough.

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Washing bags are quite commonly used around the world for laundry purposes. However, in some nations, it is still an airy concept. These bags are handy when it comes to using competitively delicate materials, especially undergarments. These bags prevent soft and delicate materials from getting torn or damaged. Also, as mentioned earlier, they are best for use when you are using the washing garments with chains, zips, or buttons to prevent them from tearing. Washing bags are also made of materials that are eco-friendly in nature, and you can also clean them separately quite easily. It is an excellent option in terms of protecting the clothes inside the bag as well as the ones that are washed outside.

Laundry Hacks to Retain Fragrance

Clothes can still come out of the laundry with a smelly aroma if you make common mistakes. Shutterstock.

Have you ever been disgusted with a bad odor even after you have washed your clothes so many times? This weird shabby moist smell just does not go away, or the typical smell of washing detergent sticks around. Using perfume is a good idea, but you need an alternative that as a whole and at once easily keeps your clothes smelling good. So worry not, as there is not one but five great hacks to retain pleasant fragrance in your clothes.

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Pick a perfumed detergent to help get rid of the smell. The top standard option is to use the soaps that are already induced with scent. Detergent brands are now advancing their formulas and are making the washing task much more manageable. There are ready-made clothes washing powders available in the market now that will not require you to mix anything separately in the powder. However, make sure that you buy them from a good brand so that there are no harmful chemicals induced.

Utilize Dryer Sheets and Perfume Mists

Dryer sheets are also lightly scented so that you’re not overpowered when you take them out of the dryer. Shutterstock.

Using the drying sheets in the right way can help you keep your clothes smelling amazing as well. These sheets have a certain amount of fragrance that can be retained in your clothes. You can simply tuck these sheets in your laundry baskets, your dressing drawers, shelves, or anywhere you keep your clothes. It should absorb the excellent fragrance in your clothes much easier and for longer.

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You can add a light mist of perfume to your closet to neutralize any smells. There are several laundry veils of mist available nowadays that you can buy online. If you are buying from a good reliable brand, they will be a safe option. Some of them are also made of natural or herbal ingredients, and they are the best options to use, especially if you have sensitive skin. So, by now, you are already aware of the quick tips that can make laundry sessions smooth and fast and fluid, but here are some more of them that you might want to take a look at!

Try Coffee Grounds or Essential Oils

Coffee grounds are good at absorbing latent smells in your laundry. Shutterstock.

Now, this laundry tip is one of the most unique techniques that you can use to keep the bad odor at bay. Coffee grounds are useful for many purposes, but this is one of the lesser-known ones. Coffee grounds are potent substances when it comes to absorbing or soaking in all the maximum percent of the moist or shabby smell that is left in your clothes. It gives a fresh, sleek look and feel to your clothes. It might not leave a strong scent, but it will definitely not let your clothes smell bad. Also, there would not be any different scent in your clothes as it will retain the same mild odor every time.

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Essential oils are old souls when it comes to retaining fragrances. This method is one of the safest and easiest ones that is commonly used. You can use the essential oil that you adore the aroma of. Essential oils are expensive, and hence you can make a solution in a bottle that you will use in drops as you throw your pile to the washer. It is best not to use raw essential oil drops to avoid any dispute with the washing machine or mechanism. Be careful of the essential oil you add; it may end up staining your clothes.

Use a Color-Protective Bleach or White Vinegar

Not just any bleach will do, as ordinary bleach will remove the colored dyes in your clothing. Shutterstock.

Many people tend to use cloth bleaching products but, if not used correctly, can impose an adverse effect on them. It is imperative to be particular about the bleach that you are using and the color protective bleaches. They will help in keeping the radiant and new look alive in your precious garments. It is best to be used when you are washing comparatively expensive clothes. White vinegar is a cheap and easy way to get rid of any smells on your clothes by adding it to your wash.

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Another option is using white vinegar is simply magic and even better if it is distilled. It can undoubtedly be considered as a versatile staple in every household that can be utilized to cut down body odor, soften the materials or fabrics, and also keep your washing machine clean to a certain extent. Only one cup of distilled plain white vinegar will do the needful to the cleaning cycle of each load. It is also a mighty cleaner that can help you give your clothes a much brighter and whiter look.

Drying Racks and Appliance Stands

A cost-effective way to dry your clothes while cutting down on your electricity bill is to use a drying rack. Shutterstock.

Folding damp garments or getting them right away from ironing or wearing them is the worst thing that you can do. So make sure you let the partially damped or moist clothes to get dried before you use them or put them in your wardrobe. Drying racks are easy to install, light in weight, and perfect for safely handling your delicate garments. So you might like to invest in a few to add an edge to your laundry efforts.

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Appliance stands are another smart way to add an edge to your laundry sessions and make things easier on your pat. This tip will help you create additional space in your small laundry space and even raise the height for your front loaders that shall bring it to a comfortable level, helping you reach it easily. It will also help you keep your space neat and clean, cutting down your necessity for a stash.

Invest in a Lint Roller for Cleaner Clothes and a Longer-Lasting Machine

A lint roller gets rid of any pilling or dog hair that may get on your clothes. Shutterstock.

Lint can be quite an issue when you are using a washer. From woolen cloth debris, pet hairs, dust lint are gathered from impossible sources that you just cannot avoid. If not cleaned properly, they can create plenty of significant issues, which may include clogging of the drains, damaging the washer drums, ruining the dryer if you have a two in one system, and way more.

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So a lint roller is a perfect one-time solution to this hairy problem. They do not let the lint scatter here and there and also helps in getting the fiber to get cleaned comparatively faster. You should lint roll your clothes both before and after doing the laundry.

Washing the Mattress

You spend a lot of time in bed; do you really know how clean it is? Shutterstock.

Now there is a lot more difference between washing heavy and big fabrics and materials than those of regular clothes. What people most struggle with is the blankets, bed sheets, cushion covers, and more. They leave quite some challenges due to their size, texture, and thickness and require completely different strategies to be washed.

Photo Credit: FotoDuets/Shutterstock

Most people even have to go to a laundromat to clean their bedding, even if they already have a washer and dryer at home. You need a big machine for such bulky items, but that’s not all. So here’s what you need to know. How often to clean your mattress and what quick tips to use to get them cleaned perfectly.

How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress?

Clean your bed regularly to minimize the attraction to bed bugs and other mites. Shutterstock.

When it comes to dry cleaning your mattress, it is suggested that you do it regularly. It would not take up much of your time if you are only patting out the debris and the dust with a mattress duster. It is best to keep the frames cleaned as those are the edges where debris accumulates commonly. Make sure you don’t pat the mattress surface too hard with something that might hamper its structure or inbuilt springs. There are mattress cleaners that are available that will clean your mattress and keep the frame and structure as good as new. You can consider investing in one.

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So, that was all about the dry cleaning part. But if you are thinking of washing your mattress, it is best to do your bed a few times a year. You can consider cleaning them two to three times. When you wash your mattress, the best way is to find professional laundry service.

More Tips for Cleaning a Mattress

Your pets will only add more dirt to your bed. Shutterstock.

Washing a mattress often is easier said than done. It not only makes your job tough but also ruins its own structure over time. So the best thing you can do is keep your mattress covered with bed sheets or take every necessary detailed step to keep it clean. Trying to keep pets and kids on the bed all the time is not a good idea, especially when they are back from play or anywhere outside. You are the best person to decide on these measures. However, when you are going for yearly washes of your mattress, you can certainly consider the following quick tips.

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Make use of the right cleaning equipment – No mattresses are definitely no apt to be cleaned with water and detergent. You will need to get savvy about it. So collect the cleaning equipment that you might require, which may include baking soda, powerful laundry detergent, special cleansing cloths, a vacuum cleaner, or even dish wash as an enzyme. Also, mattresses are best washed in cold water rather than hot water, as hot or warm water might ruin its smooth texture.

Spot Clean with a Stain Remover

Clean any stains immediately to keep your mattress looking good as new. Shutterstock.

The stain remover is the best option to clean your mattress. It makes the job more comfortable as you can get the cleaning done on the spot. It is crucial that you use the stain remover in the right away and not apply any harsh chemical-based dry cleaner on it. It will tend to hamper the texture or dull the color.

Photo Credit: FotoDuets/Shutterstock

Make sure you choose the right stain remover. The category and mix of the stain remover will depend on the types of stains you have on your mattress. You might have to mix the solution with water or any other secondary solution provided. You will have to pay attention to the instructions provided on the stain removal solution.

Professional Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning is sometimes the best option for those stubborn stains. Shutterstock.

Opting for professional dry clean might be heavy on your pocket, but it will undoubtedly be worth the effort. In this case, the laundry service will take complete care of it, and you can shrug off the responsibilities from your shoulders. There are even services that will carry the mattresses or any heavy fabric you want to dry clean right from your doorstep.

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Dry cleaning usually utilizes special strength liquids to clean soils, deep stains from the fabrics. Among the benefits of dry cleaning one of its best capacities to liquefy oils or greases in a specific way that usual water is not able to. The natural fibers, which include wool or silk, might dry clean amazingly; however, they can distort, shrink, or even lose the color when it is being washed in plain water.

Regular Detergents Compared to High-Efficiency Ones

Which detergent you pick is up to your budget and personal choice. Shutterstock.

When it is about choosing the right cleanser, there are plenty of factors that need to be considered. One of the most important aspects to consider is the strength of the soap. There are a million detergent brands out there in today’s market, and more are yet to come. Most of the detergent brands use tags and captions such as ‘gentle,’ ‘stain-fighting,’ ‘extra-strength,’ which makes it even more confusing for buyers to understand.

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So, in that case, the best thing you can do is understand and dive deep into the composition of the detergent. Pay attention to the active ingredients and read the product specifications online. You can check out the uses and reviews, and the online platform is the best place to find out this kind of information. Understanding the difference between high-efficiency and usual detergent is the first step to protecting the look, color, and shine of your clothes and making them durable in the long run. The same idea applies to liquid detergents. You will get to option among any choices when you are choosing which any include the strength, fragrance, formula, cleaning specifications, and more. So get going with your laundry sessions much confidently and make the most out of your efforts!

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