Washing Tips

How do you wash your clothes without ruining them? There’s more than one way to wash a garment, but when in doubt follow the care label just to be safe. However, if your clothes are simple, sturdy, and colorfast, there’s a good chance they are machine washable and won’t need to go to the drycleaners. Poly/cotton garments are durable, easy to maintain and holds its shape after each wash. The polyester provides more durability, resists fading whereas the cotton allows breathability.

Before putting your clothes in the washing machine, make sure you empty all pockets, zip zippers, tie drawstrings, unroll cuffs, and fix any loose hems or seams. Separate your clothes into whites/lights and darks, keeping the heavyweight and lightweight clothes apart. If they aren’t colorfast, keep them separate until the dye stops releasing. Treat any stains before washing. If your clothes are really dirty, presoak them for about a half an hour before washing.

Fill the washer with water first. Warm water is usually used in average loads, however hot water can be used for whites or very dirty colorfast clothes, and cold water for delicates or bright colors that are likely to fade. When the washer fills, add the recommended amount detergent. Powdered detergents are good on mud or clay, and liquids are better for greasy stains. Distribute the clothing evenly and loosely to allow movement during the wash cycle. A short wash time using the Permanent Press cycle is appropriate for most loads. If your clothes are sturdier or very dirty, use the Regular cycle as it is agitates and spins at a higher speed.

After washing, check any pretreated stains. If they’re still there, try treating them again as the heat from the dryer may set the stain. Check the care label before putting your clothes in the dryer. The Permanent Press cycle is suitable for most clothes. Make sure not to overfill or over dry, and take your clothes out of the dryer when they are just dry or even slightly damp. Too much heat may cause your clothes to shrink. Garments that can be tumble dried can also be dried on a clothesline, which is gentler on the clothing and eliminates the likelihood of shrinkage.