When it comes to laundry care, there are some basic rules you should follow to keep all your clothes looking their best and to make sure that they last longer. It’s not easy to do laundry and some delicate clothes require special attention. Also, some stains may never come out if you do not choose the right detergent or drying cycle. Similarly, choosing the wrong detergent or drying cycle may lead to unnecessary damage to your clothes.
In this article, you will earn about 7 laundry care basics to take proper care of your laundry items at home.
7 Laundry Care Basics
First and foremost, you need to prepare the articles to be washed in the right manner to achieve the best results. It is recommended to sort all the items by light colors, dark colors, and whites. You should never combine different colors in the same washing load as it may lead to problems. While you can wash most articles with warm or cold water but you may need hot water to clean particularly stained light-colored or white items. It is also recommended to rinse an item in cold water for the first few wash cycles in case it has embroidery with colored thread.
As far as choosing the right washing detergent is concerned, it is recommended to use a neutral pH balanced detergent without any additives for washing your clothes. You should use a neutral pH laundry detergent whether you are using cold or warm water. Do not make the mistake of overloading your washer as it may lead to improper cleaning of your clothes. If you overload the washer, the detergent wouldn’t be able to interact with the water properly, and all the dirt may not get released from the clothes. Therefore, make sure you never overload the washer.
Once the laundry cycle is complete, you should remove the laundry and make sure to hang the items on a clothing line or a drying rack. You may also dry them directly in the dryer. It is also recommended to fold the items before you dry them as it will help in preserving the original shape. Therefore, it is recommended to take some time while placing the items on the drying rack.
There are also many different types of fabric softeners available in the market but it is not recommended to use the softener unless the fabric has a particularly hard finish or is stiff once it is dry. It is recommended to wash these items separately and use a small amount of fabric softener during the wash cycle in case it has a particularly hard finish even after drying. In other words, the fabric softener should be used only on clothes that are too hard and not on all the clothes.
Sometimes, getting rid of the stains can be tricky. It is not recommended to use color safe bleach or other bleach alternatives frequently. If you do want to use them, it is important to test the fabric for colorfastness before using them. Also, you should never leave the items unattended while soaking them in bleach or other bleach alternatives. Some of the commonly used items such as cleansers, creams and oxygen based cleansers, and some brands of toothpaste may also lead to fabric discoloration. Keep in mind that it’s almost impossible to restore the color once the item discolor. Therefore, make sure you use these things in a proper manner.
If you clean the counters with oxygen-based cleaners or bleach, it may also lead to discolouration of wet fabrics that you left on the counter. Therefore, it is recommended to wipe the counters with plain water to get rid of any residue of household cleaners.
When it comes to ironing, you need to realize that while it is the fastest way to dry your clothes but it can also be very destructive if not used in the right manner. The fibers in the fabric will break down if excessive amount of heat is applied over a long period. Therefore, it is recommended to air dry your clothes using a clothesline or a drying rack.
If you prefer using the dryer, it is recommended to immediately remove the items when the items are almost dry and allow them to cool by spreading them outside. If you allow articles to dry in the dryer, it will cause them to wrinkle, and therefore, you should remove the items from the dryer as quickly as possible.
Some of the items might need to be reshaped by hand if you want them to the retain the proper form. It’s always easier to iron the clothes while they are still damp. It is recommended to press slowly, and use the proper temperature depending on the kind of fabric you are ironing.
As far as stain removal is concerned, it can be tricky if you are not aware of the right cleaning agents to be used for removal of certain types of stains. While flushing with water is the best technique, it may also damage the fabric if you do not have enough water. You should also avoid rubbing the fabric without using enough water to avoid damage to the material. Applying a concentrated solution of detergent also helps in getting rid of the stains.
The key to proper stain removal is never to panic. For instance, it is recommended to flush the red wine stain with cold water, and if that doesn’t do the trick, it should be soaked in cold water, and washed normally to get rid of the red wine stain.
Overall, these are some highly useful 7 laundry care basics to help you take care of your laundry in an efficient manner.
