We wash our laundry practically daily, and in larger households, the drum virtually constantly loosens, whether it's a large quantity of sportswear, bed linen, or anything. The washing machine has a significant role, and especially during Corona season, it is preferable to be more precise in hygiene.
However, washing is not an important issue; do you believe the machine does it all independently? However, the reverse is true. When it comes to laundry, we all make foolish blunders that hurt hygiene, your wallet, the environment, and your nerves. These are the ten most common mistakes when washing clothes.
Most common laundry mistakes
If you wash your laundry correctly, apart from spotless laundry, you also get more of your clothes because they stay beautiful longer. In addition, choosing the proper wash cycle saves time, money, and the environment. Therefore, avoid the following ten laundry errors!
A tip in advance: Before each wash cycle, check the care instructions on the garment or the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations on the Internet.
Mistake 1: washing machine not cleaned regularly
It is a myth that the washing machine cleans itself after each wash. Inspect the detergent compartment and the drum's closing ring. Washing clothes eliminate lint and gather tissue residue or other things from pockets.
Remove any lint that has accumulated on the sealing ring and drum, as well as any tiny pieces that have accumulated there. Additionally, you should give the machine a wash-free hot vinegar wash at least once a year to fully descale it.
Additionally, the detergent container must be cleaned manually regularly. You may throw it in the dishwasher or soak it overnight in a small amount of vinegar water.
Important: After each wash, leave the washing machine open, both the porthole and the detergent chamber, to allow the interior to dry and prevent mold formation.
Mistake 2: laundry not correctly presorted and not turned inside out
Pre-sorting is still ignored. This is a mistake since you should classify your textiles before washing by color and kind of cloth. Furthermore, each fabric structure has a unique cleaning response: Fleece and other delicate fabrics, for example, should be washed separately from cotton.
When pre-sorting dark clothes, they should be turned inside out to prevent white streaks from appearing on the black fabrics. Additionally, moving it to the left preserves the fabric's surface, making it more appealing. Additionally, buttons on blouses or men's underwear are less likely to cause abrasion damage to other articles of clothing.
Mistake 3: stains not treated properly or not at all
There are also some misconceptions about pre-treating stains. Anyone who puts their laundry with stubborn stains into the machine untreated shouldn't be surprised that it still comes out stained.
Find out what home treatments you may use to eliminate stains before cleaning. Soaking is better than rubbing it in or out, which can harm clothes. Even if patience may be required, it is worthwhile because your beautiful pieces will stay beautiful longer!
Mistake 4: washing machine too full
It is understandable if you want to have all the laundry washed at once not to leave the last pair of trousers unwashed in the box. But: Too much laundry in the drum is a severe mistake because firstly, the laundry cannot be properly cleaned if it cannot move in the drum and is "processed" from all sides with water and detergent.
Second, a clogged drum can, in the worst-case situation, cause the washing machine to fail. The reason is that when laundry absorbs water, the total weight that the hanging drum can wash and spin exceeds substantially.
Mistake 5: washing powder incorrectly dosed
Many people think: a lot helps a lot! But, unfortunately, too much detergent is used if the garments are filthy or have a strong odor. This is a mistake since one wash cycle does not eliminate the overly dosed detergent from the clothing or the washing machine.
As a result, clothing is left with white streaks, powder, or foam residue. Then there is nothing left but to repeat the process without using detergent. Furthermore, the washing machine is more likely to become moldy if filth is left in it.
Mistake 6: buttons not undone, zipper not closed
Do you occasionally discover tiny holes in your clothes? It doesn't have to be about moths. In most cases, buttons, hard trouser tabs, Velcro, and zippers are to blame.
So, before washing garments, remember: Verify that all zippers are securely closed. This protects not just the other things cleaned with you but also the zipper teeth. However, buttons should stay open to prevent them from falling off easily.
Velcro fasteners must also be closed before washing, and the article of clothing should ideally be cleaned separately. The same applies to down jackets, which are often provided with Velcro fasteners. These require further care due to their unique inner lining. However, with this simple trick, nothing clumps up in down jackets!
Mistake 7: Underwear not washed in a separate net
Additionally, bra hooks and wires can cause fabric damage. That is why it is a mistake to wash these items without first protecting them. Either wash your underwear separately or place them in a separate laundry net to protect your clothing. Sensitive, transparent tights have their place in the washing net as well.
Mistake 8: laundry washed too hot
A 40-degree wash is ideal for most laundry. Modern machines and detergents are so advanced that dirt can be easily cleaned at lower temperatures. If you wash your clothes too hot, you risk causing tissue damage and polluting the environment through excessive energy use. Naturally, this affects the power cost.
Mistake 9: using fabric softener
Isn't it a dream to have fragrant, soft laundry? There is nothing wrong with this in theory. However, the chemical compounds in fabric softeners contaminate the skin and the environment if you have contact allergies. When washing towels, please don't use a fabric softener since it reduces the fabric's absorptivity. Towels are designed to absorb water from the user's body.
Mistake 10: Softener and descaler added
Do you mean it when you say you'll put softeners and descaler in the washer? Most laundry detergents already include these ingredients, so there is no need to add more. However, adding a descaler and softener to the washing machine may affect the environment and your clothes over time. It also hurts your wallet.