A quick reference guide to doing your laundry:
- Follow the directions on the back of your laundry detergent. Use it with caution and in the recommended amounts. More isn’t always better.
- Follow the fabric care instructions on your clothing. These symbols contain a wealth of information.
- For best results, sort your laundry based on colour – whites and other colours. Similarly, you might want to remove any delicate items from the pile.
- Stains should be treated immediately.
- If unfamiliar with the machine, read the instructions before hitting the start button.
Here are a few simple steps to do laundry at home:
SORTING –
There’s more to sorting than keeping dark clothes separate from bright whites. The key is to combine items in loads that require similar soaps or detergents, wash cycles, and water temperatures. Check those garment care labels for any special cleaning instructions. Without a doubt, smart sorting is the best way to ensure clean results – wash after wash after wash after wash.
Separate delicates and loosely knitted garments from regular wash loads, and wash them on the gentle cycle.
REMOVING STAINS –
Take care to remove any spots or stains from your washables. For the best chance of removal, you should know exactly what type of stain it is.
The Process Of Stain Removal:
Determine the location. The more you know about what caused the spot or stain, the more likely it is that you will treat it properly. This means you have a better chance of removing it, and you are less likely to aggravate it by using the incorrect treatment. Before treating or laundering, rinse or soak in cold water.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to removing oil/stains from your clothes:
LAUNDRY DETERGENTS –
When washing, always use the recommended amount of detergent. What is the appropriate amount? Read the label and keep in mind that using too much or too little detergent can leave your clothes less clean than using the recommended amount. Follow the instructions on your clothing’s fabric care label.
FABRIC SOFTENERS –
Benefits: Reduces drying time, wrinkling, and ironing time by softening and fluffing fabrics.
Types of softeners:
Liquid fabric softeners are added to the final rinse water; one type can also be applied to a cloth and thrown in the dryer. Follow the instructions on the label.
Softener sheets are placed in the dryer.
Packet softeners are attached to the dryer drum’s fin.
Techniques:
When adding liquid softeners to rinse water, dilute them first. Pouring directly on fabrics may result in staining or spotting.
DRYING –
It is always best to dry your clothes where they get enough sunlight to help dry faster and smell fresh. During the rainy season, we don’t have a choice but do leave your clothes out longer than usual so there is no musty smell or dampness lingering on the clothing.
There are quite a few who have invested in a Dryer, esp those living in areas where there is a heavy monsoon for long periods of time. In such cases, your clothes can be folded right after pulling them out of the dryer.
Well, in case you have a mountain of dirty clothes to wash or are feeling too overwhelmed, you can give it out to a professional to do the washing/dry cleaning and ironing.
For those who live around Wadala, check out Kleen Kraft Laundry. You can visit the website, schedule a free pick up & sit back knowing your clothes, upholstery and other items are taken care of.