Laundry is a common practice that many people undertake every week, but even the simplest of chores can cause trouble if not performed properly. Washing clothes may seem like an easy and natural task, but many common washing mistakes can ruin fabrics, shorten the lifespan of clothes, or cause higher energy bills. In this article, you will learn about ten such errors and how to make them so that your wardrobe remains cleaner and serves you for a longer period.
1. The mistake of overloading the washing machine
The common problem with most people is overloading the washing machine. It is often felt to be economical to put the maximum amount of clothing into the drum at any time, which does not work when cleaning is concerned. In an overloaded washing machine, clothes do not have enough space for moving around a lot resulting in dirt being stuck under the clothes. At the same time, overloading may also produce the wear and tear of excess clothes and washing machines.
Understanding the machine’s limits will help you avoid this mistake. If you are dealing with large loads, divide them into several smaller sizes to avoid overworking yourself and let the washing machine work optimally.
2. Overusing Detergents
The adage “more detergent equals cleaner clothes” is wrong. On the contrary, excess detergent can leave a residue on the fabrics and cause build-up within the washing machine. This residue can lead to the holding up of bacteria which leads to a bad smell and less effective washing of the washing machine.
To prevent this, always try to use the measured amount as recommended in the instructions. If you have a high-efficiency (HE) washing machine, do not forget to use the HE detergent, which is less foamy and easier to rinse out.
3. Improper Laundry Sorting
Many people think that sorting out laundry mainly involves whites and colors. However, this is not the only basis on which sorting has to be done. Fabric type and the amount of soil clogged are crucial areas of sorting. For instance, delicate clothes should not be washed with jeans, as they are likely to pile up. This can be vice versa; washing lightly soiled clothes together with dirtier ones will make cleaner clothes dirtier than they are.
To avoid this error, arrange the piles in the following order: fragile fabrics, ordinary fabrics, and ordinary but dirty fabrics. This will enable proper washing of the materials according to their dirt level.
4. Missing the Stain Pre-Treatment Step
Not applying pre-treatments to stained garments and then throwing them straight into the washing machine can result in more aggravated stains. Most of the time, heat from the dryer will set in the stain, making it very difficult – if not impossible – to remove afterward.
To avoid scrubbing the garment, it is advisable to use stain-removing agents by directly applying the sturdier agents on the stained area before washing. If more persistent stains are present, you may have to pre-soak the garment in a tub filled with a stain-removing solution before laundering.
5. Choosing the Incorrect Water Temperature
Using an inappropriate water temperature for washing clothes can result in several problems, shrinkage, discoloration, and fabric destruction for some clothes. Sinking and rinsing many fabrics, especially bright colors and delicates, can be done even in cold water without damaging the fabrics after many washes. On the other hand, hot water is the most efficient in cleaning highly soiled items such as bungalows and towels but causes discoloration and shrinkage to many gentle fabrics.
There is always a care label on garments; let it guide you as to which water temperature is right for that garment. Cold water usually works for most fabrics as it is safe but in cases where the items are extremely dirty, not so cold water temperature should, for a change, be used.
6. Keeping the Lint Trap Clean
One of your dryer’s parts is the lint trap. It should be cleaned after every use. If neglected, not only does the dryer’s performance decrease, but this may also cause an unsafe situation. There is a higher chance of either the dryer catching fire or creating a dryer fire itself.
If you want to dry your clothes in the most well-maintained and efficient dryer, then make it a habit to wipe your finger over the lint trap every time after washing. This will enhance the effectiveness of your machine, shorten the duration of the entire cleaning process, and avoid the risk of fire in one’s residence.
7. Skipping Fabric Softeners
Fabric softeners help keep clothing soft and prevent static, but this step can be skipped, or using it on the wrong fabric can lead to problems. For instance, pourable softeners may interfere with towel absorbency and the breathability of some working-out clothing.
If you still intend to use a dryer sheet, you may want to limit its use to wet loads of items like bedsheets, which benefit from softness. However, for items like towels, it may be better to omit the softener or replace it with some vinegar for absorbency’s sake.
8. Ignoring Care Labels
Ignoring the care labels on clothes is perhaps one of the pop sage policies adopted by many individuals at the risk of ruining their clothes. Care labels give important instructions on how to wash each cloth, how to dry it, and if at all they should be ironed or not. Ignoring these care labels always results in shrinkage and fading as well as wear and tear of the fabric.
To avoid this trap, remember the first rule of washing: read the care label. If you do not feel confident, for example, put your clothes into the gentle cycle and use cold water.
9. Not Shaking Out Clothes Before Drying
It is common for laundry to be rolled up in clumps when taken out of the washing machine. This results in clothes coming out of the dryer still creased and more problematic to put away. Whipping out each piece of cloth for a few more seconds before putting them into the drier helps reduce the folds or creases formed in a cloth and makes it less painstaking to cloth.
Preparing to put on dry-cleaning garments and linens requires patience and implies evenly drying fabric to reduce wrinkles. This has a significant impact on how the fabric will finish the drying process and, therefore, ultimately, more efficient.
Golden Class Laundry: Your Professional Laundry Service in Abu Dhabi
If you find laundry to be a nuisance or wish to avoid these common errors altogether, try Golden Class Laundry. At the Golden Class Laundry, there is no room for the guesswork on how best to wash your clothes, as we employ professionals who are well aware of how best to treat your clothes. From light laundry to challenging stains, our skilled workforce always ensures that that is one more successful laundry done. Why put yourself through all that labor and warm water washing when you can just be assured that Golden Class Laundry will take care of all your clothes and do it well without consuming all your time?
Walk into Golden Class Laundry today and learn more about our services and how they will relieve you of your laundry burden.
Feel free to contact us for your enquiries.
