We’ve all experienced it: your favorite shirt comes out of the washing machine with a hole that wasn’t there before, or your dress shrinks so much it could pass for a shirt. It’s frustrating, but you can avoid these laundry mistakes by following expert tips.
اضافة اعلان
Here are the most common washing errors and how to properly wash and dry your clothes:
1. Not emptying pockets: Leaving items in pockets can damage both your clothes and the washing machine. Small items like pens, tissues, cosmetics, and coins can cause tears, stains, or residue. They can also block the machine’s tub, hose, or filter, while larger items may collide inside the drum, causing damage.
2. Leaving wet clothes in the machine: It’s best to transfer laundry to the dryer promptly. Leaving clothes too long can make them stiff, rough, or smelly. If this happens, rewash quickly on a short cycle with detergent.
3. Not using a mesh bag for delicate items: Place delicate fabrics, lingerie, lace, silk, or knits in a mesh bag to prevent damage. Mesh bags also protect zippers, buttons, and straps from tangling or tearing.
4. Not turning clothes inside out: Turn items like tight pants, sweaters, or dark-colored clothes inside out before washing. This prevents fabric wear, tangling, and fading of dark colors.
5. Leaving zippers or buttons open: Open zippers and buttons can catch on other clothes or machine parts, causing pilling, tangling, or tears. Fasten zippers and buttons to maintain garment shape and prevent wrinkles.
6. Not treating stains before washing: The sooner you treat stains, the better your chances of removing them. Use a high-quality stain remover suitable for various fabrics before starting the wash cycle.
7. Overloading the washing machine: Stuffing too many clothes stresses the machine, prevents proper cleaning, and can damage garments over time. Clothes need space to move freely for effective washing. A general rule: leave enough space to fit your hand in the drum.
8. Using too much detergent: Excess detergent doesn’t clean better; it leaves residue and traps dirt. Measure detergent according to load size and soil level.
9. Not separating colors: Sort light and dark clothes to prevent fading and color transfer, both during washing and drying. Dark fabrics can bleed onto lighter ones, and repeated dryer cycles may wear out clothes faster.
10. Using the wrong water temperature: Hot water may remove stains but can shrink or fade delicate fabrics. Cold cycles suit delicate or lightly soiled colored clothes, warm water is best for heavily soiled whites, and hot water works for heavily soiled items or to kill germs on underwear and towels.
11. Ignoring care labels: Every garment comes with a care label specifying washing and maintenance instructions. Ignoring these can damage clothes despite seeming minor.
Following these guidelines helps protect your clothes, extend their lifespan, and maintain their appearance.
Good Housekeeping
