Washing clothes is a household chore that everyone has to do at some point. Fortunately, this job is neither difficult nor time-consuming. However, you need to prepare the necessary tools and sort dirty clothes, remove stains and apply the right detergent, and choose the right washing cycle and temperature for the clothes. After that, you have to dry the clothes according to the type of material.
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Part 1 of 4: Sorting Out Dirty Clothes
Step 1. Collect the dirty clothes in the appropriate container or basket you want
Buy several containers or baskets to separate piles of dirty clothes after wearing, or use one large container to collect all dirty clothes and then sort them before washing. The storage of dirty clothes will largely depend on how much space you have and whether the clothes have to be taken out of the house to be washed.
- There are many variations of the shape of the dirty clothes container. Some of them even have wheels or handles for easy portability. Consider buying a container like this if you have to move dirty clothes.
- Dirty clothes containers are also made of various materials. Choose a container made of fabric that can be folded to save storage space. Plastic containers often have handles for easy portability. Meanwhile, rattan wicker containers are generally only placed in one place and can be used as home decorations at the same time.
Step 2. Gather clothes from the same material
Instead, separate between thick and thin clothing. That way, you can choose the right washing cycle according to the type of clothing material.
- For example, collect thick clothing such as jeans, thick cotton trousers, jackets, and thick sportswear.
- Collect thin clothing such as T-shirts, blouses, and light trousers separately.
- Also collect very delicate clothing such as underwear, stockings, silk, and towels and sheets separately.
Step 3. Separate white, light, and dark clothes
In addition to sorting clothes by material, you should also separate them by color so that dark clothes don't fade into white and bright clothes. Collect clothes like T-shirts, socks, white underwear, and clothes that are mostly white.
- Collect brightly colored clothes that include pastel colors like blues and light greens, yellows, and pinks.
- Collect dark clothes separately: put all black, gray, navy blue, or dark purple clothes in this group.
Part 2 of 4: Removing Stains and Applying Detergent
Step 1. Purchase a detergent according to the type of your washing machine
Some detergents are designed for top load washing machines, some are for high efficiency or non front washing machines, while some detergents can be used for both. Find out which type of detergent is suitable for your washing machine and buy a brand of detergent that you like.
If your skin is sensitive or prone to allergies, buy a detergent labeled natural, fragrance-free, or free and clear
Step 2. Immediately clean the stain with a special detergent or stain remover
Stains on clothes will be easier to remove if they are removed as soon as possible. So apply a stain remover or detergent to the stained clothes as quickly as you can. Let the product sit on the stain for at least 5 minutes before washing it off.
You can also remove stains from clothes by soaking them in cold water for 30 minutes before washing them. Use a large container, bucket, or washing machine in soak mode
Step 3. Pour the detergent into the sliding drawer of the front load washing machine
High-efficiency and front-load washing machines will most likely have a sliding drawer where the detergent must be loaded before you start washing. After that, the washing machine will pour detergent automatically when the washing process starts.
Read the washing machine's instructions if you can't find the sliding drawer for detergent
Step 4. Pour the detergent into the top load washer
In top load washing machines, you may have to fill the tub with water first and then add detergent and finally dirty clothes. However, read the instructions for using your washing machine first to find out how to properly apply the detergent.
Step 5. Pour the right amount of detergent according to the directions on the package
To find out how much detergent you need, read the instructions for use on the packaging. Different detergents may need to be used in different amounts. So, make sure to follow the directions on the detergent package exactly so you don't use too much.
Pouring too much detergent can make your clothes still soapy even after rinsing
Step 6. Pour the bleach into the white laundry to keep the color bright
Find a place to put the bleach in the washing machine. In a top load washing machine, you should be able to find a place for the bleach around the detergent bin. Meanwhile, on a top load washer, you should be able to find this spot on one of the top sides. Read the instructions for using bleach to find out how much to add to the clothes you're washing.
Some brands of bleach that do not contain chlorine have a color-safe label. Products like this can also be used to restore other clothing colors
Step 7. Use fabric softener if you want your clothes to be smoother
If your clothes sometimes feel rough and stiff after washing, try adding fabric softener during the wash. Fabric softener is especially helpful if you use hard water or chemically treated water (PAM water) for washing.
Part 3 of 4: Selecting the Wash Cycle and Temperature
Step 1. Read the care label on the garment
You may have certain clothes that need to be washed at a certain cycle or temperature. It's a good idea to read the care label of your clothes before you wash them for the first time, or if you forget them.
Step 2. Use normal settings for strong fabrics
A normal or regular setting on a washing machine usually means a quick spin on the wash and rinse cycle. This is an ideal setting for strong fabrics such as jeans, sweaters and towels.
- Normal or regular settings are also suitable for heavily soiled clothes. However, be aware that this setting is not suitable for very delicate or beaded garments.
- Some washing machines may also have a heavy-duty setting. Only use this setting for heavily soiled strong fabrics.
Step 3. Choose a permanent press setting for clothes that crease easily
Some blouses and trousers, such as linen and rayon, wrinkle very easily. Choose the permanent press setting on the washing machine. At this setting, the machine will spin more slowly in the final stages to prevent the clothes from creasing afterwards.
Step 4. Choose a delicate cycle for delicates or beads
In this cycle, the machine will run slower in both the washing and drying stages. This cycle is designed for delicate garments such as underwear, stockings, or garments that have sequins, lace, or other embellishments.
Certain materials such as silk and wool should not be machine washed at all and should be hand washed or dry washed. Be sure to read the label on the garment before putting it in the washing machine
Step 5. Use cold water for most of the laundry
Most of today's detergents are designed to be used optimally with cold water. In addition, most materials last longer if they are not exposed to heat. You can also save money and effort by washing in cold water instead of warm or hot water.
- Shrinkable clothing such as cotton should always be washed in cold water and dried on a low temperature setting.
- Some people may worry that germs won't die in cold water. In fact, it is the detergent that works to kill germs, as well as the heat from the dryer, including drying at low temperatures.
Step 6. Use hot water only for heavily soiled clothes
When washing pillowcases and sheets that have been used by a sick person, or muddy clothes and uniforms, you can use hot water. Hot water will eventually make the color of the clothes fade. So, it's best not to use hot water for washing more often than absolutely necessary.
Avoid using hot water on stained clothes or recently purchased colored clothes. Hot water can actually make the stain seep deeper and the color of the clothes fade
Step 7. Do not overfill the washing machine with clothes
Most washing machines come with fill instructions or a limit line so you don't load too many dirty clothes. Be sure not to force soiled clothes into the machine more than the recommended amount.
Putting too many dirty clothes in will make the clothes not clean after washing and over time also damage the washing machine
Part 4 of 4: Drying Clothes
Step 1. Remove the lint from the filter bag before each time you dry the clothes
Look for a lint filter bag in the dryer and check its contents before turning on the dryer each time. Slide the bag off and insert your fingers to remove the lint from it. Throw the fiber into the trash.
If these lint are not removed before you start drying the clothes, the dryer could catch fire
Step 2. Use dryer sheets to make your clothes smoother and less static
Dryer sheets can help reduce static electricity on clothes and make them smoother after washing. Choose a dryer sheet with a scent you like, or an unscented one if you are sensitive to chemicals.
Step 3. Choose regular settings for jeans, sweaters, and towels
The strong fabric can withstand heat and rapid spin on regular drying settings. Also, thicker materials may not dry completely at lower temperatures.
If you're worried about the clothes shriveling or discolored, use a lower drying temperature or simply air them out
Step 4. Use the permanent press setting for most clothes and sheets
This setting uses medium heat with a slower spin in the final stages, which reduces creases after drying. Choose this setting to dry clothes and sheets perfectly without creasing them.
This setting may be called by different names in some washing machines, such as wrinkle-free, wrinkle-resistant, or fast/slow
Step 5. Dry wrinkle-prone clothing on a delicate or tumble-dry setting
The delicate setting uses a lower temperature and slower spin, and is ideal for clothes that wrinkle or break easily. The tumble-dry setting uses absolutely no heat and is best used for garments that are particularly prone to damage or wrinkle.
Step 6. Air the clothes to make them last longer
You can hang clothes in the sun to extend their life. You only need to buy clothespins or hangers to dry clothes outside or inside the house.
Alternatively, dry the clothes by placing them on a towel or drying rack. This will reduce the appearance of any creases or creases on the shoulders of the shirt after drying
Step 7. Iron the clothes as needed and store them
If there are wrinkled clothes after washing, use an iron and ironing board to smooth them out. Be sure to read the care label on the garment for an acceptable temperature, then adjust the iron's temperature according to the instructions.
