Cleaning 101: Laundry Tips

I learned to do the laundry when I was 12 years old.  I wash clothes manually then for we do not have the washing machine.  Mom taught me tips and tricks how to make clothes cleaner especially the white ones. However, the task of clothes washing will be easier and less tiring with the use of a washing machine.

Here are laundry do’s and don’ts tips in doing the laundry with a washing machine.

Do’s

It’s not necessary to use warm water, do wash clothes in tap water. It will give the same result as with using warm water. You can also save on your utility bills by using tap water.

Dissolve the detergent before the cycle begins, most washing machines has the detergent compartment, put enough detergent according to your wash load.  Too much detergent will only cause you to use more water by repeating the rinse cycle.

Use colour-safe detergents for colored clothes as it helps keep colours bright while getting out tough stains. While the regular chlorinated bleach detergent is fine with whites. 

If your washer has the soak feature, soak the whites several hours or overnight before washing to get rid of tough dirt.

Use the appropriate fabric setting of your washer, such as blankets for blanket or towel settings, normal or fuzzy for normal wash or delicate for delicate items.

Put only enough fabric conditioner on the last rinse.

Hang up clothes immediately after drying; shake off clothes to minimize wrinkles.

Don’ts

If your washer does not have the feature to wash comforters, do not try to wash it with it. It will not only give a poor wash result but it can damage the motor of your washer too. Let the comforters be washed to a nearby commercial laundry service.

Soap can be trapped in the fabric, so don’t use more detergent than necessary. Aside that it will only make clothes stiff when not properly rinsed, more water will be used to repeat the rinsing cycle

Do not use the dryer longer than necessary, especially if the weather is hot. The usual drying is enough to save on electric bills. Remember that excess drying can also damage the fabrics.

Do not leave your washer on when not in use, pull off the plug after use.

Do not forget to clean the dirt filter after use and the fabric softener compartment.  Fabric softeners in due time will harden in the fabric softener compartment, thus will cause inefficient  dispensing.