Laundry Cleaning Tips

Laundry need not be a daunting task.

If you’re new to the job or just feel you need a refresher, here are the things you need to know to get laundry done fast and efficiently.

Sorting:

Sorting is one of the most important parts of doing a good job with the laundry. It can help make this job easier if you have several laundry baskets. Laundry needs to be sorted into these piles.

Dry Clean Items:

Set these aside and take them to the dry cleaners on your way to work or drop them off after work.

Hand Washables and Delicate Fabrics:

This sorted pile might include items like your work clothes, undergarments, sleepwear, etc.

Sort these by color and wash according to the labels instruction. These types of fabrics will typically require a delicate laundry detergent. Many washing machines today now have settings for hand washables and delicate fabrics you can use instead of actually hand washing them.

Whites and Light Fabrics:

Once you have separated these from the other items do an additional sort by fabrics then sort by water temperature. For example, sort your towels and sheets from the clothing before washing and what can be washed in hot water versus cold water. You can check the tags to see what the recommended temperature is.

Dark Clothing and Washables:

Again you will be doing some additional sorting by fabrics and water temperature. These items can include your jeans, dark t-shirts, washable throw rugs, dark colored towels, etc.

Stained Items:

If any of the items in your sorted laundry require stain treatment, use the best method for the type of fabric and pretreat prior to washing.

Washing the Laundry:

• Purchase a laundry detergent that best suits you and your washing needs. Scented, unscented, allergy free, delicate, or water temperature specific.
• Prepare the stained items for the load of laundry you're working on.
• Only use detergent with bleach on white items unless it’s color safe bleach and it specifically states it is safe for colored clothes.
• Use the right amount of detergent according to the package instructions. Too much will leave you with sudsy clothes and too little will leave you with clothes that may not be as clean as you'd like. So pay attention.
• If you use fabric softener that goes in the washer, put it in the correct place or put it in the washer during the correct cycle.
• If your washer doesn't have a hand wash option, start hand washing while the washing machine is working its magic on that load you just put in. Hang or lay flat to dry.
• Never leave your wet clothing in the washing machine for any length of time. This will lead to sour or mildewed clothing and more steps will be necessary.

Drying the Laundry:

Now it's time for drying the laundry.

• Hand washed laundry and some other items will either need to be hung to dry or set on a towel to dry. Read the tag in the item of clothing.
• When using the dryer, again check the tag on the item of clothing and see how hot a temperature it can withstand.
• If you haven’t used a fabric softener in the washer you may want to use a fabric softener dryer sheet in the dryer to avoid static cling.
• Most dryers have a buzzer letting you know the laundry is dry. So when it's dry, take the laundry out of the dryer and hang or fold it. Folding clothes as soon as they are dry will prevent a lot of wrinkles.

Ironing:

No matter how fast you get to the dryer, there are going to be some items that will need ironing.

The easiest way to do this is to iron the garment right out of the dryer, while you’re in laundry mode.

Waiting until the last minute is inefficient and can leave you running late for work or an appointment.