We all do laundry almost intuitively, but that doesn’t mean we’re making good use of our washing machine. Discover the mistakes to avoid when doing your laundry in order to preserve their color and softness. Thanks to our advice, your laundry will be clean and fresh for longer.
Laundry is one of the tasks you have to do daily! Even so, a few mistakes can ruin your clothes as well as your washing machine. In this article, we are going to tell you the 5 gestures to avoid when carrying out your laundry. The goal ? Guarantee the cleanliness and integrity of your laundry.
5 mistakes to avoid when doing your laundry
There are many mistakes to avoid when doing laundry. Here are some examples below:
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1. Detergent overdose
Caption: Use of detergent – Source: I Stock Photo
One of the most common mistakes when washing clothes is using too much detergent. Indeed, you think that the more you put in, the cleaner the laundry will come out. In reality, this reasoning is flawed because it will only ruin your washing machine. Too much detergent enough to make fabrics rougher and generate detergent residues that leave marks on your laundry. And that’s not all ! Excess suds can damage your washing machine. Remember to limit the amount of detergent before placing your laundry in the washing machine.
2. Do laundry by overloading the washing machine
The other common habit is putting too much laundry in the machine. However, an overloaded washing machine cannot spin properly and this affects the washing quality. Result, residues are found on the clothes and the dirt is far from being cleaned. Hence the need not to overload your washing machine by checking beforehand the weight not to be exceeded. In this way, you will be able to ensure optimal washing.
Man annoyed by his washing machine – Source: spm
3.Maintain and clean the washing machine regularly
Regular maintenance of the washing machine is a habit to adopt regularly to preserve its efficiency and prevent the proliferation of bad odors. So remember to clean the drum and the seal 3 times a year. It is also important to take care of the drain pipe by checking it twice a year because it accumulates all the residues of the washing products. In this way, you avoid unpleasant odors on your laundry but also possible problems with the efficiency of your appliance.
The best washing machine cleaning trick is to add a handful of coarse salt in the drum and start an empty wash cycle. An ecological and economical method that allows you to disinfect the device, while breaking down scale and dirt stuck to the walls. Salt is also a good way to get rid of unpleasant odors and soften your textile. A trick to apply every month or more, if necessary. Against bad smells, you can also rely on natural deodorants, such as white vinegar or baking soda.
4.Frequent use of fabric softener in the compartment
Use of fabric softener – Source: spm
Can’t resist using fabric softener to soften and scent your laundry? Be aware that regular use of this product is likely to alter your laundry. For good reason, this can affect the washing quality by causing stains or even mold to appear on the clothes.
A good alternative to fabric softener? White vinegar! Its deodorizing and disinfecting power has nothing to envy to the products you are used to using. If you have trouble giving up fabric softener, you can always add a few drops of essential oil to a vinegar water and then pour the solution into the appropriate compartment. There are several essential oils that may be suitable for you, such as mint, lavender or eucalyptus.
Also be sure to pour the detergent and fabric softener into the bins dedicated to them so as not to end up with poorly washed items.
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5.Aggressively scrub stains before machine washing
Another common mistake is frantically scrubbing stains before placing your laundry in the machine. Contrary to what one might think, this action can damage the fibers of your clothes and prove to be counterproductive. This can eventually enlarge the stain and it will be more difficult to remove, especially if it is an ink, wine or grease stain. To do it more gently, gently dab the stains with a clean, damp cloth or paper towel to get rid of any superficial dirt.
By taking our advice and tips into consideration, you will be able to ensure the cleanliness of your laundry while preserving the efficiency of your washing machine and therefore its lifespan.
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Via SPM
