Doing laundry might seem straightforward, but to truly care for your clothes and ensure they last longer, it’s important to follow a few key steps. Here’s a comprehensive guide to laundry care in 12 easy steps:
Step 1. Know Your Laundry Symbols
Before you begin, always check the care labels on your clothing. These labels provide important information on washing, drying, and ironing to ensure your clothes are cared for properly.
At first glance, fabric care labels might look like a confusing code, but they’re actually straightforward instructions for taking care of your clothes. These symbols guide you on the correct wash cycle, drying method, and ironing temperature to use. Once you familiarize yourself with a few of these universal washing symbols, your laundry routine will become second nature. Here are some key things laundry symbols can tell you:
- Whether to use a cold, warm, or hot wash
- When to use or avoid bleach
- Which garments can be tumble-dried and which should be air-dried flat
Different fabrics require different care, so it’s crucial to check your clothing labels before starting your laundry. Understanding these symbols helps you wash your clothes properly and extend their lifespan. You can learn more about how to read care and fiber labels here.
Step 2. Learn How to Sort Your Laundry
Once you’re comfortable with fabric care labels, the next key step in proper laundry care is sorting. For optimal results, it’s important to separate clothes by color and fabric type. Sorting prevents color bleeding and ensures each fabric type gets the appropriate wash. To begin, you can sort clothes by:
Color Shades
Dark-colored clothes are more prone to bleeding dye during washing. To protect your garments, sort laundry by color, keeping lights and darks separate.
Fabric Weight
Heavier items like towels should be washed and dried separately from lighter fabrics to prevent damage and ensure even drying.
Fabric Type
To avoid damaging delicate fabrics, wash them separately from more durable items, using the appropriate wash cycles. Also, keep items with zippers or buttons away from knits and lingerie to protect finer materials.
Amount of Dirt
Heavily soiled or stained laundry should be washed separately on a longer, heavy-duty cycle. This ensures the extra agitation needed to remove tough dirt.
By following these guidelines, you’ll achieve the best results and keep your clothes looking their best.
Step 3. Pre-Treat Stains
Treat any stains before washing by applying a stain remover or a little detergent directly on the spot. Let it sit for a few minutes to help break down the stain.
Step 4. Choose the Right Detergent
Pick a detergent that suits your laundry load. Consider using a mild detergent for delicates, a heavy-duty one for tough stains, or a hypoallergenic detergent for sensitive skin.
Step 5. Select the Right Water Temperature
Use hot water for whites and heavily soiled items, warm water for colors, and cold water for darks, delicates, and shrink-prone fabrics.
Step 6. Decide on a Wash Cycle
Select the appropriate wash cycle based on fabric type and soil level. Use a delicate cycle for fragile items, a regular cycle for everyday wear, and a heavy-duty cycle for towels and sturdy fabrics.
Step 7. Load the Washer Correctly
Don’t overload the washing machine; clothes need space to move freely. For top loaders, distribute clothes evenly around the agitator. For front loaders, loosely pile clothes in the drum.
Step 8. Add Fabric Softener (Optional)
Consider adding fabric softener during the rinse cycle if you want your clothes to feel softer and smell fresh. However, avoid it for towels as it can reduce absorbency.
Step 9. Use Bleach for Whites (Optional)
For an extra boost of brightness in your whites, add non-chlorine bleach to the load. Follow the instructions on the label to avoid damaging your clothes.
Step 10. Dry Your Clothes
Dry your clothes according to their care labels. Air-dry delicates and items prone to shrinking. Use a dryer for more durable items, choosing the appropriate heat setting to avoid damage.
Step 11. Iron if Necessary
If your clothes require ironing, set the iron to the correct temperature for the fabric. Iron delicates with care, and use steam for cotton and linen to achieve a crisp finish.
Step 12. Fold and Store
Once your clothes are dry, fold them or hang them immediately to prevent wrinkles. Store them in a clean, dry place to keep them fresh and ready to wear.
Final Thoughts
By following these 12 steps, you’ll ensure that your clothes are cleaned effectively and cared for properly. These easy-to-follow steps will help extend the life of your garments, keeping them looking their best for longer.