By clothing-bag, 03/01/2023

10 Laundry Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making | THE UNIVERSAL - Cartagena

Even if you've washed your clothes for years without a problem, the best way to wash your clothes is to avoid these common mistakes. Here are 10 tips to learn how to wash clothes correctly, from how to use detergents to the best way to classify clothes.

1 Don't just sort by light and dark

Separate heavily soiled items from lightly soiled items, and separate heavy or abrasive fabrics like denim from more delicate items. For denim, turn inside out, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low to prevent fading.

2 Do not put detergent directly on the clothes

Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to load the washer. For a better distribution of the detergent, put the clothes in first, then add water and, lastly, the soap. If you're using hydrogen peroxide, you add water first, then the clothes and soap. It is recommended to use liquid detergent, it is more friendly with the environment and even with washing machines. Powdered detergents, when not diluted 100%, solidify and end up embedded in various areas of the equipment.

3 Don't abuse the dryer

If you have time to air dry, do so. Not only do you save energy by not running the dryer, but you also help care for delicate items. "The dryer damages the garments with elastane (elastic) in its composition, losing its shape and sometimes we even see that the garments become thinner, this is because the heat bursts the elastane threads," said Luis Antonio Zúñiga, an expert at Mr Jeff.

4 Don't mix socks with clothes

Tired of losing a sock every time you do a wash? Try putting your socks in the washing machine first, then add everything else. This makes them less likely to stick to other clothes, often causing them to get lost. A good alternative is nets for delicate garments and/or underwear.

5 Don't leave zippers open

Loose zippers can snag delicate clothing and scratch doors on front-loading washers. Make sure they are all the way up before starting the wash cycle. Also, undone fasteners can pull on fabrics or damage the drum if they come loose. Invest in lingerie bags or an old pillowcase as a solution.

6 Don't leave shirts buttoned up

Yes, zippers should be closed, but buttons shouldn't. Washing like this can damage the buttons and tear the buttonholes. And don't forget the buttons on the cuffs and collar either.

7 Don't forget a quick anti-stain test

If you're worried about washing that new red shirt for the first time, take this easy quiz to find out before disaster strikes. “Discreetly dampen a part of the garment, then blot it with a white cloth to see if the dye stains. If so, wash the item only until the color stops fading, you can also include an old white sock in the wash to check,” Zúñiga recommended.

8 Don't skip the filter and hose when cleaning the lint catcher

Empty the lint screen after each cycle, because lint buildup can clog the duct and become a fire hazard. It is also important to clean the filter about once a year. Also, disconnect the hose from the back of the dryer about once a year, you'll know it's time when it takes more than an hour to dry a load, then run a long brush through and remove any remaining lint.

9 Don't rub the stains

You may think that the best way to treat a stain is to vigorously scrub it with detergent. But that's not the best course of action and could even cause the stain to spread. Instead, gently rub the stain from the outside in. And of course, the sooner you treat it, the more likely it is to go away.

10 Do not wash items that need to be dry-cleaned

If the clothing has a “dry clean” label, proceed with caution. Actually, some items do not need to be dry cleaned; if they are natural fibers like wool, it's probably safe to hand wash them and let them air dry.