While doing your laundry is not a complicated task, you should still do some things to ensure that everything is properly cleaned. Do not simply toss your garments in the machine and press the start button. Always separate your clothes into different piles (keep in mind colours and fabrics). Always check the care label to avoid damaging the clothing.
In this article, we will share some things you should generally avoid doing. Keep reading to find out why.
Avoid machine-washing microfiber clothing
Your recycled-bottle fleece jacket most certainly contains microfibres, which account for approximately 35% of microplastics in the world’s seas. Your clothes shed microfibres with each wash, which end up in waterways and eventually in the food chain. Special fiber-trapping bags can assist keep them from flowing down the drain.
Using bleach too often
While bleach is a great stain remover and will whiten your dull garments, it should not be overused. Excess bleach use can damage your clothes and cause them to tear. To disinfect your clothes naturally, place them on a drying line outside. Sunlight will brighten and disinfect them. It will also leave them fresh smelling and clean.
Excess use of detergent
If you regularly overuse your detergent, it is time to stop. Using more cleaning products will not make your clothes cleaner. In fact, it will leave a residue behind which will attract more dirt and grime in the future. You can actually use half the recommended amount of detergent. Your clothes will still come out clean and you will be able to save money.
You forget to empty your dryer’s lint filter
You should remove the collected lint after every use of your drier. Lint buildup on your vents and flyers can start a fire. To avoid that, empty and vacuum the lint filter before or after every use.
You ignore all the missing socks
If every time you do laundry a sock or another small item goes missing, you may want to do something about it. Small things can get caught underneath the drum of a front-loading washer if they get past the rubber gasket. If you’re skeptical, hire a professional to investigate, then wash all your socks in a mesh bag to prevent them from disappearing.
You skip washing your jeans
It’s impossible to avoid cleaning jeans. Some people think that freezing your denim removes germs, but this is a myth—the bacteria just go quiet. You should regularly wash your denim garments as everything else. If you have a lot of them, keep them aside for a separate load and wash according to the care label of the fabric. Make sure you don’t wash them in very hot water as it may cause them to shrink.
Washing everything with hot water
While some garments, such as whites or undergarments need to be washed in hot water, a cold load will achieve good results for a number of fabrics. Up to 75% of the energy consumed for washing garments is used to heat the water. Your garments will be just as clean and last longer in a cold-water wash because lower temperatures retain colours and decrease shrinking. Check the care labels of your clothes and do a separate load for all fabrics that should be cleaned in cold water.
You have not invested in a high-efficiency laundry machine yet
If you are still using your old washing machine, you may want to change that. You can get yourself a new (or even second hand) high efficiency washer. Switching to a high-efficiency, Energy Star-certified machine not only saves you up to 25% on your utility bills, but it’s also healthier for the environment. When compared to traditional washers, a full-sized Energy Star machine can save more than 7,500 litres of water each year.
Leaving wet towels in the washing machine
If you tend to forget your wet towels in the laundry machine, they may develop a musty smell. To prevent that from happening, make sure you take them out as soon as the load is finished. Do not keep dirty garments in the washing machine and always leave the door open. If your towels are already musty smelling, add a cup of baking soda or a cup of vinegar to your load. Choose one and make sure you don’t mix the two.
You use commercial cleaning products with unknown ingredients
To avoid using mystery ingredients, you can make your own laundry detergent. Mix 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of Castile soap and 1 litre of water. Use ½ cup of this solution to wash your clothes.
You fall for green products
Even if the product says ‘’unscented’’ it may still contain chemicals you probably don’t want to use when cleaning your clothes. These detergents may still contain scents that mask the chemical smell. Make sure you do your research on all ingredients and pick a safe brand you can trust. That is of crucial importance, especially if you have babies or children in the household. If you want to make a safe, non-toxic laundry detergent at home, use the recipe above.