How To Do Laundry Like A Boss - 7 Easy & Effective Tips To Doing Laundry Like a Pro
Laundry - love it or hate it (and honestly, who loves doing their laundry???) - is an unfortunate consequence of life. And while it’s not necessarily difficult, knowing which laundry cycle, type of detergent, stains, dinginess, fabric types - can be the difference between a clean load of clothes or a ruined, dingy wardrobe.
But have no fear, in this guide we’re going to give you 7 tips to help you do laundry like a boss!
These tips will help you make laundry easier and more effective. We’ll cover everything from wash cycles, fabric types, and the methods for treating common problems like stains, dinginess and odor.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
KNOW WHEN TO WASH YOUR CLOTHES
How often should you wash your clothes? In a recent survey, 70% of people admitted to doing the “sniff” test to determine if a piece of clothing was ok to wear. And while it may make you feel better that you’re not the only digging your wardrobe out of the laundry hamper, you should also know that 76% of dirt on clothes can be invisible.
This doesn’t mean you have to wash your clothes after every wear. Using this laundry guide will help you prevent unwanted bacteria from accumulating, and also ease your mind wondering if your coworker can tell your t-shirt came from your laundry basket.
FOLLOW THE CARE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LABEL
Do I use a cold or hot wash? Is this a permanent press item? Should I dry clean this?
This is what care labels are made for! Unfortunately 35% of US consumers admitted to not reading the care labels - which is why so many people suffer from laundry mishaps.
The problem with many care labels, however, is that they are filled with symbols that most people don’t understand. So if you are amongst that group, here is an at-a-glance chart to use to help you decipher care labels.
Read them, then follow their instructions to avoid any laundry mishaps.
GET STAINS OUT RIGHT AWAY
“I’ll do it later” you think when you toss your stained top into your laundry basket.
Unfortunately later never comes, and your stained top gets thrown untreated in the washer and dryer, where the stain sets in, never to be removed again.
Addressing stains immediately is an important part of getting them out. And it’s not hard - in fact you can use simple household items, like club soda, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, and more.
Here is an easy Natural Stain Remover Guide that will have you wondering why no one taught you this in school.
NEVER LOSE A SOCK AGAIN
Ode to the lost socks that seem to get sucked up by your washer and dryer. We’ve all had those rogue missing socks that have you wearing the remaining black and white one together and feeling a bit like Michael Jackson.
Just like us, socks are better when they have their mate! So instead of risking separating them, throw your socks into a mesh bag before washing.
After washing and drying, place the socks on top of one another, fold them in half, and push one sock inside the other.
USE LESS DETERGENT
More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes. In fact, adding too much detergent can make your clothes attract dirt faster, and leave them dingy and soapy.
Most detergents provide a cap and instructions on the amount to use. Don’t eyeball it - follow the instructions and you’ll not only have cleaner clothes, but also save money!
KNOW YOUR WASHER CYCLES
Cycle length, cycle speed and water temperatures can all affect the effectiveness of your wash.
Let’s start with the cycle length - how long the machine will take to clean your clothes. Use shorter cycles for less soiled and delicate clothing, and longer cycles for heavily soiled and bulky items. Just like detergent, more is not always better. Always opt for the shortest possible cycle to get the job done; the less time garments spend being spun around in the wash, the longer they'll last.
If you ever wondered what permanent press is - it’s one of the options that determine cycle speed. Here is how they operate:
Regular - fast wash/fast spin
Permanent Press - Fast wash/slow spin
Delicate - Slow wash/slow spin
A regular wash is good for bulky and heavier items. Permanent press is a fast/slow cycle, making it a good choice for fabrics that are prone to wrinkling, as the slower spin cycle reduces wrinkles. This is a good choice for most of your laundry. And the delicate cycle is (of course) for delicates.
KNOW YOUR WASHER TEMPERATURES
Do you really need hot water?
Surprisingly, most washers and detergents are formulated to perform best using cold water. Cold water not only conserves energy - which can save you money and is better for the environment - but it’s also less taxing on textiles, so it can extend the lifespan of your clothing.
Were you taught to use hot water on whites and towels? The truth is, while hot water can offer extra cleaning power, it will have fading effects over time and does NOT get rid of all of the germs and bacteria. This happens in the dryer. However, if you believe that hot water is the answer to your germaphobic fears, by all means use hot water! Laundry is personal - we’re just sharing the facts.
CLEAN YOUR WASHER
Wondering why your laundry may look dingier than normal? It could be that your washer needs cleaning.
How often you should clean your washer depends on how often you use it. If you are going to a laundromat, you may want to find out how often they clean their appliances. While you may not be able to disinfect and clean a commercial washer, knowing their housekeeping methods may motivate you to choose a different laundromat.
Your washing machine cleans dirty clothes, so any germs that come into the washer can spread to other clothes and the machine itself. The consequences of this range from rashes, allergies, and irritation all the way to life-threatening infections.
This is why at OrangeBag, we sanitize our washers and dryers after every load. Even if you own your own washer and dryer, germs and bacteria come from your clothes and are not an indication of your own hygiene and cleanliness.
The process of cleaning a washer is fairly straightforward: Run an empty load using hot water and white vinegar or baking soda. Your washer will thank you and keep in working order longer.
DO YOUR LAUNDRY LIKE A BOSS
There you go! With these 8 steps to mastering your laundry, you’ll be doing your laundry like a boss in no time.
Now, the only problem is finding the time and motivation to actually do it. We get it! As a professional laundry pickup and delivery service in Los Angeles, we understand how it feels when you work hard all week, only to have to use your weekends to do your laundry. This is why we exist - so you can take laundry OFF your to do list.
Your laundry has to be done, but you don’t have to be the one to do it. Leave the sorting, cleaning, folding, and decision making to us! Sign up today and get 15% off your first order - and start living your life rather than cleaning up after it.