Best Way To Wash Clothes
What is the best way to wash clothes? Washing clothes is one of those things that we just can’t avoid. You go through life with your mom washing your clothes, and then all of a sudden you’re on your own! Now you have to figure it out yourself!
So what actually is the best way to wash clothes?
Detergent
First and foremost, to wash clothes you need the correct detergent. This includes fabric softeners, detergents, and drier sheets. Read the tags on your articles of clothing and see what they call for. Some will say no fabric softener and some may say no drier sheets.
Delicate clothing may need a more delicate detergent. Baby clothes, for example, need a super gentle detergent that is specifically made for babies. This will keep the clothes fresh and clean, but also safe for the skin.
Separating Clothes
One of the biggest tips you will get when learning to wash clothes is to separate your laundry. There are several ways to do this.
Probably the most important is to separate the lights and the darks. The biggest reason for this is because the dark fabrics can bleed into the lighter fabrics. With new articles of clothing especially, you need to be careful about the washing process.
To wash clothes that are new, first check the colorfastness of the dye. You can do this by filling a small tub of water in your sink or bathtub and submerging the new article. Let it soak in the water and squeeze it with your hands.
If the water turns color, you need to wash this article either alone or with like colors. If the article does not leak color, you might be safe to throw it in with your other clothing. However, it is still recommended to wash it with like colors, just to be extra safe.
Another thing to keep in mind when separating clothing is to pick out the delicate pieces and separate them from the heavier ones. This means underclothes that are thin or delicate fabric should be pulled out.
This also includes blouses made of sheer fabric or fabric that can snag should also be separated. These clothes should be kept apart from heavier items like jeans and towels that could risk hurting the delicate pieces.
Lastly, separating bulky items from the rest of your laundry is a good idea as well. Sheets, towels, and even jeans can damage the rest of your clothes. They are heavy items and can cause uneven washing loads in the washing machine.
They also can create uneven drying in the drier and leave your clothes wet and unevenly dried.
Temperature
When you wash clothes, you also need to pay attention to the temperature of the water. Setting the temperature to the appropriate settings for your items will be the most beneficial.
Delicate items or items that you are afraid of shrinking should be washed in cold water. The cold water helps the fabric keep its shape and keep it from shrinking.
On the other hand, bulky items, like sheets, towels, and jeans, can be washed in hot water. These items are slightly more prone to bacteria, so washing clothes in hot water will rid them of the bacteria. This gives them a longer lifespan overall.
Drying
The last part of learning the best way to wash clothes is figuring out the best way to dry them. Many delicate clothes should be hung up to dry rather than thrown in the drier. Hanging them to dry will also help them keep their shape as well as keep them from shrinking.
Clothes that can be thrown in the drier should be checked to be sure what kind of dry cycle they need. You can change the length of time and how high the heat is. Read the tags on your clothes and set your drier to the correct setting to ensure the longest life for your clothing.
Best Way To Wash Clothes – Conclusion
Overall, the best way to wash clothes is going to be by following the rules on the tag as well as by separating your clothing. This will give you the longest life out of your clothes and other articles. Check the temperature and detergent, separate the lights and darks (unless you want pink undies!) and you should be good to go!
