Doing your laundry is actually a fun activity. Although it surely becomes quite scary when you let the pile of dirty laundry accumulate over a long period of time. But if done on a regular basis with the right laundry instructions, then it is simply enjoyable and also rewarding in terms of neat clothes with their fresh scent.
Here are the basic steps on how to wash clothes in a washing machine in the most efficient way:
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Read the labels carefully:
Be it cotton, synthetic, or wool; each type of fabric comes with its own set of washing instructions. These instructions are mentioned clearly on your garments’ labels. It is advisable to separate your clothes into machine wash, air dry, hand wash, dry clean, and wash-separately categories based on the instructions written on their labels.
If you are wondering how to wash a check garment, then going through its label will give you the perfect idea of its washing instructions.
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Sorting:
After separating the clothes into different types of categories based on fabric, it is best to sort them based on colors.
- Light-colored clothes like- shades of whites, light greys and pastels are to be washed in one separate pile.
- Other deep-colored garments like-reds, blacks, deep blues, browns, etc. go in a separate pile.
- Also, irrespective of the color or fabric, heavily soiled garments should be washed in a separate pile.
- Delicate fabrics should be washed separately in a washing machine or by hand.
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Select a detergent:
It is best to select an all-purpose laundry detergent for the laundry. The amount of detergent depends upon the number of clothes you are putting in at one go. It is also advisable to pre-treat stains on your garments before putting them in the washing machine. You can simply add detergent on the stain and rub it gently. You can also use a stain remover instead. After the stain is significantly removed, you may put the clothes in the washing machine. The laundry detergent should then be added to the washer dispenser to prevent residue on the garments.
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Choose a water temperature and washer cycle:
The water temperatures have to be set according to the nature of the fabric. Ideally, cold water should be used for washing clothing. However, the heat setting may be changed according to the degree of stains on your clothing. For example, linens and towels should be washed with hot water to sanitize them thoroughly.
The wash cycle should be chosen accordingly, too. Some types of fabrics require the need for a permanent press. There is also a setting for delicate items for the utmost level of fabric care and cleaning.
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Double-check before loading the washer:
It is a best practice to double-check the machine settings before loading the washer. Not only that, but even the pockets of your clothes should also be checked so that you are assured that no accessories, sharp objects, papers, tissues, etc. are there inside. One should also make sure that belts are not put inside with the trousers. Another point to take note is that the zippers and buttons are closed to avoid any damage to other garments.
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Load the washer:
Load the garments into the washer keeping enough room for the movement of clothes in the water. There must be ample of space and place to wash clothes for their effective cleaning. It is advisable to turn the textured fabric, dark colors, and knitted garments inside out to avoid the washed-out look.
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Unload the washer
After the washing is done, immediately remove the wet garments from the washer and lay them flat or place them in the dryer. This will prevent mildew.
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Load the dryer:
You may choose to tumble dry your clothes by putting them in the dryer at this step. It is recommended to separately put the garments based on their fabric type. This will prevent your garments from shrinking. You may also put dryer sheets inside the dryer to help absorb moisture in a better way. Heavy fabric, like types of denim, needs a high temperature to dry, and lightweight fabric like cotton, need a relatively lower temperature for drying.
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Hang or Fold Clothes and Store:
As soon as your garments are fully dry, you need to hang or fold them for their proper care. You may wish to iron the linens and the cotton for a crisp and presentable look.
Therefore, with a little bit of patience while sorting the fabrics and colors, you can easily try your hand at the laundry. After all, the feeling one gets after seeing an empty laundry bag and washed and ironed clothes in the closet is simply amazing!
