WASHING MACHINES: DOS AND DON’TS

Clothes need to be sorted to achieve optimum washing as well as to ensure the clothes last longer.

Clothes should be sorted by:

• By fabric: Separate delicate fabrics that require a gentle cycle from heavier items.
• By color: Separate whites from colors, and pastels from dark colors.
• By soil: Soil can travel from one garment to another so wash heavily soiled garments separately.
• Lint: Check pockets and remove tissues before washing. Wash heavy lint shedders, especially blankets, chenille bedspreads, rugs, and woolens separately, and clean out the lint filter in your washing machine regularly.

Do Use the Right Amount of Detergent

It is important to use just the right amount of detergent. Don’t think adding more detergent than necessary will get your clothes extra clean. It will not. If you’re noticing that our clothes are stiff, smell strongly of soap, and have flecks of powder on them, then you’re using too much. Use only the amount recommended on your detergent’s label.

Do Use a Laundry Bag for Delicates

Delicates can be really anything but mostly underwear, silks, and whites are the ones you need to watch out for. If the items are very precious to you, put them into a bag before adding them to the washing machine.

Don’t Overload Your Machine

Don’t overload your washer with clothes even if you have a lot of clothes to wash. Overloading can offset the balance of the drum, which can cause the cycle to fail at the spin cycle, leaving you with soapy wet clothes. Also, clothes need to have water to agitate around them during washing. For the best cleaning and care of your machine, make sure the level of dry clothes does not exceed the level of the inner tub.

Don’t Forget to Pre-Treat Stains.

Stained clothes must be pre-treated before being placed in the washing machine. Most stains can be removed completely, provided that they are handled promptly and properly.