Nobody wants
to do a chore twice. Here are twelve common laundry mistakes to avoid to help
your laundry day go more smoothly.
Mistake 1:
Rubbing Stains Furiously
This can
make the stain worse and possibly wear away the fabric. Instead, be gentle and
methodical. Treat the stain as soon as you can; the less time that elapses, the
more success you’ll have. And always use a white cloth so that colors can’t
transfer. Dab, rather than rub, working from the outside in to keep the stain
contained.
Mistake 2:
Using Too Much Detergent
Excess suds
can hold dirt pulled from clothes and get caught in areas that won’t always
rinse clean, like under a collar, leading to bacteria buildup. The remedy: Use
only half the amount of detergent that you normally do, then gradually increase
that amount if your clothes are not coming out as clean as you would like. An
exception: If you have hard water, you may actually need more soap than you are
using. Check the recommendation for hard water on your detergent bottle.
Mistake 3:
Filling the Washing Machine Incorrectly
When washing
in a top-loader with liquid detergent, you should first fill with water, then
add soap, then add clothes, right? Well, no. This protocol from the past was
meant to prevent residue on the fabric and the machine. But modern detergents
are phosphate-free and not harmful to clothes the way old formulas were. As
long as you’re not using bleach, don’t add clothing after the water (a pain,
because clothes can float). Instead, use this order to distribute detergent
best: clothes, then water, then soap.
Mistake 4:
Washing an Item That Has a “Dry-Clean” Label
This isn’t
necessarily a blunder. Most items that say “dry-clean” can be hand washed and
air-dried. This includes natural fibers, such as linen and most silks. First
check for colorfastness; moisten a cotton swab with mild detergent and dab it
on a hidden seam to see if any dye comes off. If not, go ahead and dunk the
garment in soapy water just once or twice, then rinse and immediately roll it
in a towel to extract moisture. However, you should stick with dry-cleaning for
certain categories: leather, suede, silk dupioni, anything with embellishments,
and structured pieces (like blazers).
Mistake 5:
Not Zipping Zippers All the Way to the Top
Metal teeth
can snag delicate and woven clothing that’s being washed in the same load.
Mistake 6:
Washing Shirts All Buttoned Up
This seems
like a good idea, but it can stress buttons and buttonholes and lead to
premature poppage. Take the time to unbutton before tossing clothes in the
washer (or the hamper).
Mistake 7:
Overusing Bleach
Think twice
before you reach for the bleach: You actually don’t need it to get rid of
protein stains, like blood, sweat, and tears. (Okay, maybe tears are not a big
laundry issue.) One natural option: Toss stained socks, tees, and undies into a
big pot of water with a few lemon slices and bring to a boil for a few minutes.
Mistake 8:
Not Leveling Your Washing Machine
If your
washer is not level, vibrations can damage your floor and prematurely wear out
key components, like the shock absorbers and the tub bearings. (Plus, there’s
that terrible noise.) Place a level on top of the machine and adjust the feet,
which typically screw up and down, accordingly. If this doesn’t help, beef up
the floor with a ¾-inch-thick piece of plywood that’s a little larger than the
machine’s base. It will help absorb vibrations.
Mistake 9:
Letting the Dryer “Rest” Between Loads
Some folks
like to wait an hour after one cycle concludes before putting in a new load.
But in fact, running back-to-back dryer loads is smart and efficient. It lets
you take advantage of retained heat from the previous cycle, cutting down on
energy usage.
Mistake 10:
Ignoring the Permanent Press Setting on Your Dryer
This
medium-heat cycle with a cool-down period at the end is a proven crease curber.
More tips: Don’t pack clothes in; they need to float freely or they’ll wrinkle.
(Note: Ditto for the washer. Stuffing it can create wrinkles and prevent your
clothes from getting clean. On top of that, it can put pressure on the
machine’s bearings and shock absorbers, causing them to wear down prematurely.)
And procrastinators, take note: It really does eliminate creases if you fold
clothes when they’re still hot, right out of the dryer (or, if you prefer,
right out of the pile that you dumped onto your bed). Give each item a quick
shake so wrinkles don’t set in. If you don’t have time to fold a load
immediately, shake out the pieces and lay them flat in the laundry basket, one
on top of another, while they await further attention.
Mistake 11:
Tossing Socks in Willy-Nilly
Here’s a
sock-saving tip: Place socks in the washer tub first, so they’re less likely to
attach themselves to other garments and then go missing.
Mistake 12:
Not Cleaning Your Dryer
Even though
you empty the lint filter after each use (right?), lint buildup can clog the
duct over time and become a fire hazard. A sure sign that your dryer is
clogged? It takes more than an hour to dry a load. Once a year, detach the hose
from the back of the dryer and snake a long brush through to push out lint
(20-foot dryer vent brush, $35, gbindustrialdirect.com). Also scrub the lint filter once a
year with a small toothbrush and a bit of detergent. Rinse, then air-dry
completely.
