Working smarter, not harder, when doing laundry is better for your clothes and your schedule. We’ve compiled our top recommendations for ways to reduce laundry time and prolong the life of your clothes after searching through years’ worth of professional laundry how-tos and creative Martha suggestions. With the help of this comprehensive guide, you can maintain the like-new state of all the fabrics in your house, including linens and cloth napkins, bedding and comforters, baby clothes, and exercise equipment.
Read also: How To Use White Vinegar In Your Laundry
Best Laundry Tips to Make Clothes Look Brand New
Prior to washing, always sort
Sorting laundry by material or color helps keep your clothes in better condition, even if it could be tempting to load your washer with all of your items at once and then go about your day.
Loads that are frequently assigned may be based on soil level (keep grease-stained garments away from the baby laundry), color (yes, you really should separate white T-shirts from colors and darks), or fabric type (exercise gear in one, towels in another).
How to Wash Your Sheets and When to Do It
If you sleep hot, try to wash your linens at least once a week, if not more frequently. For white or stained sheets, use a hot cycle; for patterns or dark colors, use a warm or cold setting. To avoid twisting and snagging, let the sheets dry on medium to low heat in the washing alone.
Before putting the clothes in the washer, prepare them
To avoid snags and abrasions, take off buckles or pins, zip zippers, close snaps, and hooks, and fasten Velcro before throwing things in the washing machine. However, avoid pressing buttons. This may put undue strain on the buttons and buttonholes.
Next, unroll the cuffs, unfurl the socks, empty the pockets, and flip them inside out. To keep strings and sashes from tangling, tie them. Stow delicate things in zippered mesh bags, such as exquisite knitwear and lingerie. To avoid pilling, turn sweaters, cotton T-shirts, and delicate things inside out.
How and When to Clean Comforters and Pillows
Clean down pillows in the washing machine every three to six months to eradicate bacteria and odors. Up to twice a year, comforters should only be washed when necessary. (Feathers lose their loft when they are stripped of their natural oils by each washing.)
To aid in redistributing the feathers equally, dry both on the lowest heat setting while using a fresh tennis ball. Spot-treat stains with water and mild dishwashing liquid, and air out things once or twice a year, ideally outside on a clothesline, to keep them smelling fresh in between washings.
Try making your own fabric softener
Fabric softener residue and scents can exacerbate sensitivities and allergies. They can also accumulate on lint screens and obstruct airflow. Make your own homemade fabric softener using vinegar or conditioner to fix this.
Blue Your Laundry to Brighten Whites
Bluing, an antiquated substance added to the wash or rinse cycle to give whites a very subtle blue hue, was once a laundry room mainstay. Bluing enhances the brightness, cleanliness, and whiteness of certain white materials that already have a blue-white tint.
When fabric detergents became more effective, bluing became less popular, although even with better formulas, whites eventually started to look dingy after several washings. Furthermore, chlorine bleach weakens textiles and fibers even if it works well as a whitener.
Get Rid of Stains Like a Pro
Treating a stain before it settles is the best approach to get rid of it. Use a dull edge to quickly scoop up solids, and use a fresh white towel to blot liquids from the outside to prevent spreading. Stains should always be treated before washing, and since heat fixes stains into the fabric, make sure they are gone before putting anything in the dryer.
Boost the Effectiveness of Your Laundry Detergent with Borax
Every laundry load should be made using a mild, nontoxic soap or detergent, and if necessary, add half a cup of borax to increase the cleaning effectiveness. This naturally occurring mineral possesses whitening, water-softening, antiseptic, and antibacterial qualities.