Did you know that your laundry routine may be causing your towels to become stiff and scratchy or your favourite pair of jeans to fade prematurely? It's true! Many of us unknowingly make common mistakes when it comes to doing our laundry, resulting in less-than-ideal outcomes. But fear not - we've consulted with laundry and cleaning experts who have shared their top tips on how to avoid these issues and more. In this blog post, we'll delve into the world of laundry hacks and expert advice so you can keep your towels soft, preserve the colour of your jeans, and achieve pristine results every time you do a load of laundry. Say goodbye to hardened towels and faded denim - let's dive in!
How to Make 'Crunchy' Towels Soft and Fluffy Again
White vinegar is a commonly used household ingredient to effectively wash towels and deodorise them. Because of its antimicrobial and disinfecting properties, white vinegar serves as a perfect substitute for fabric softener, which will make your towels whiter, brighter, and softer and remove bad odours.
If you've noticed that they are getting crunchy or smell bad, using this kitchen staple is an easy way to refresh them. For that, you'll need to run them in two cycles in the washing machine:
- First cycle - Run the first one with hot water and add 1 cup of white vinegar. You can use more or less depending on the amount of your load, but generally, 1 cup is a good start and should be enough.
- Second cycle - After the cycle's finished, run them once more with hot water and one cup of baking soda. This will remove any build-up in the towels. This method will be even more effective if you let your stiff towels soak for around 30 minutes to a few hours in hot water with vinegar before washing them.
In general, vinegar is a great laundry booster because it makes your detergent work better. If you pour a bit of it in the pre-rinse compartment or put it into your washing machine as it's filling up with water, it'll help lighten and brighten fabrics depending on their colour. It will also help soften and deodorise them. When you're using it, you don't need to worry that your clothes will come out smelling like vinegar.
How to Keep Dark Jeans from Fading
Dark jeans are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing, as they are suitable for almost any occasion. However, preserving their colour is a common challenge many people face because they're prone to fading with repeated washing. Despite that, there are several steps you can take to minimise that and keep them looking vibrant:
- Wash dark jeans inside out. Before putting your dark jeans in the washing machine, turn them inside out. This will help to minimise the direct exposure of the outer surface to the water and detergent and can reduce fading.
- Use cold water. Opt for cold water instead of hot or warm water when you're washing dark jeans because it's less likely to cause colour bleeding and fading.
- Choose a gentle cycle. When washing dark jeans, pick a gentle or delicate cycle on your washing machine because these are typically less aggressive and reduce friction, which can usually contribute to colour loss. Alternatively, you can also opt for hand-washing your dark jeans.
- Use a mild detergent. Try to steer clear of harsh laundry detergents with bleach or other strong chemicals. Opt for a mild and eco-friendly one that's designed for dark or coloured clothes. It'll be gentler on the fabric and keep the colour looking nice.
- Minimise agitation. Over-agitation can also contribute to colour fading. To minimise it, avoid overloading the washing machine and wash your dark jeans with clothes in similar colours or on their own. This will prevent excessive rubbing and friction during the wash cycle.
- Skip the fabric softener. Fabric softeners can leave a residue on the fabric, which can affect the colour of your dark jeans. If you want to keep your dark jeans looking their best, it's best to skip the bleach and use a DIY solution like white vinegar and baking soda instead.
- Air-dry whenever possible. The heat from the dryer can definitely cause your dark jeans to fade faster, so try to air-dry them if you can. Hanging or laying them flat works great. If you must use a dryer, stick to the lowest heat setting.
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Direct sun can cause colour fading. To keep your dark jeans looking good, don't leave them out in the sun when drying or storing them.
- Limit washing frequency. Dark jeans don't actually need to be washed as frequently as other garments because excessive washing can lead to fading. If your jeans aren't too dirty, spot clean them or give them some air between washes to make them last longer!
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Apply vinegar to the jeans to lock in the colour after purchasing them. White vinegar is often used for cleaning, but it can also help keep dark jeans from fading because it contains a mild acid, also known as acetic acid. This ingredient helps lock in dye and prevents fabric from bleeding.
Include white vinegar in the first time you wash your jeans and then every wash after that. To do that,pre-soak them in a bucket with cold water, 1 cup of vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of salt. Be sure to invert your jeans and let them soak in the liquid for between half an hour to an hour. It's recommended to do that before every wash, and you don't necessarily need to wash your dark jeans after each dye-set treatment. You can simply hang them to dry afterwards.
Get Tissue Out of Your Clothes
Forgetting something in the pockets of the clothes you're washing can be irritating. Still, nothing beats the frustration of finding out there was a tissue that's now disintegrated and stuck onto everything you just washed. But fret not, as there are steps you can take to effectively remove them without wasting much time.
Cleaning Method One
- Once you notice the tissue paper bits in the washing machine, remove the clothing items one by one and give them a gentle shake. This will help dislodge any loose fragments.
- After that, use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to carefully pick out any visible pieces of tissue that are sticking to the fabric, being gentle to avoid damaging your clothes.
- If you have a dryer, transfer them from the washing machine into it. The tumble action and lint filter on the dryer will help collect any leftover tissue fibres.
- After the laundry is done, examine it for any remaining pieces of paper.
- Roll a lint roller over the fabric, or use a piece of tape, pressing it lightly on the spots with lint to get off any remaining pieces.
- If there are still visible bits of tissue or if the clothes feel really linty, you might need to just rewash them. Follow the same steps.
Cleaning Method Two
An alternative method to removing tissue bits from your clothes is to leave them in the washing machine and add fabric softener. After that, run the cycle once, followed by the spin or dry cycle. This method works because the tissue bits bind to the clothing's fabric because of the opposing electrical charges, and using a fabric softener will break that bond. This method works wonders as it makes the particles slide off your clothes and get rinsed away.
Don't Forget to Clean the Washing Machine
After removing the tissue from your clothes, it's essential to clean the washing machine to prevent any lingering tissue bits from transferring to future laundry loads. Besides that, any remaining pieces in the machine can end up in its filter and damage the appliance. The best way to do that is to run a hot water cycle with a cup of distilled white vinegar or baking soda. That'll do the trick! It'll help break down any remaining tissue and, eliminate any unpleasant smells and even battle mould growth.
To avoid similar mishaps in the future, make sure to thoroughly check all pockets before loading your clothes into the washing machine and removing tissues, receipts, and other items.
Conclusion
Taking care of your laundry doesn't have to be a daunting task. By following the advice of laundry experts, you can avoid common issues such as hardened towels and fading jeans. Remember to separate your clothes based on colour and fabric type, use the right detergent and temperature settings, and pay attention to any specific care instructions provided by manufacturers. Additionally, don't forget about proper drying techniques and storage methods to prolong the lifespan of your garments. With these simple yet effective tips in mind, you can keep your laundry looking fresh for longer while saving time and money on replacements. So go ahead, tackle that pile of dirty clothes with confidence, knowing that you are armed with expert knowledge - because when it comes to laundry woes, you now know how to conquer them like a pro!