The Top 5 Laundry Mistakes You’re Making
If you're like most people, you probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about your laundry habits. But the truth is, there are a few key mistakes that many of us make that can end up costing us time, money, and even damage our clothing.
It's important to be aware of these common laundry mistakes so that we can learn how to avoid them and keep our clothes looking great for longer.
Washing Clothes Too Often
One of the most common laundry mistakes is washing your clothes too often. We all want our clothes to look clean and fresh, but washing them too frequently can actually cause more harm than good. Washing your clothes too often removes protective oils from the fabric, which can lead to fading or even damage over time.
Additionally, every time a garment is washed, it wears out faster than if it had been left untouched – this applies especially to delicate fabrics like silk or wool. So it's best practice to only wash clothing when necessary, such as when it has stains or visible dirt on it.
Extreme Water Temperatures
Using water that is too hot or cold for the type of fabric you’re cleaning can severely damage your clothes.
Hot water should really only be used on whites since it helps with stain removal and brightening up colors, while cool or lukewarm water works better on colored fabrics since heat tends to cause them to fade and lose their vibrancy over time.
Using the Wrong Detergent
Similarly, not considering the type of detergent you use can also damage fabrics. For instance, liquid detergents contain dyes and may leave behind color residue, whereas powdered detergents are designed specifically for whites and contain bleach which could discolor other fabrics with prolonged use.
Ignoring Pre-treatment
Neglecting pre-treatments is another mistake many people make when doing their laundry. Pre-treating tough stains by soaking them in a solution before laundering ensures they have a better chance of coming out during the wash cycle – this will save you both time and money in the long run!
Forgetting to Air Dry
For certain items of clothing, such as wool sweaters and lingerie, air drying is the most effective way to ensure that they remain in good condition for a long time. Rather than throwing these garments into a dryer full of hot air, it is essential to hang them carefully on a line or other structure to properly dry them without causing any damage.
With proper air drying, these items will last much longer and maintain their shape over time.
Not Separating Colors
Finally, not separating lights from darks when washing can lead to problems such as fading or dye transfer between garments– this means that white items may become tinted with darker colors if they’re placed together in a load during laundering! The same goes for towels which also need to be separated from clothing because they shed more lint than normal pieces due to their looped construction threads– this extra lint can easily attach itself onto lighter-colored items, making them appear duller in appearance after just one wash cycle!
Being aware of the common laundry mistakes and knowing how to avoid them is key if you want your clothes to look their best for longer. Considering factors such as temperature, detergent type, pre-treatments, air drying delicate items, and separating lights from darks can help prevent damage caused by incorrect methods. Laundry doesn’t have to be a chore or an expensive endeavor if done correctly – it just takes a bit of extra effort!
Knowing what to avoid, you should be able to keep your clothing looking newer for longer while saving time and money along the way.
If you're looking for more tips on how to keep your clothing looking its best, then why not check out our other articles? We cover everything from stain removal to preventing your clothes from shrinking – we guarantee you'll find something useful!
And if you're ready to take the laundry hassle out of your life for good, then download the OrangeBag app today and get access to our on-demand laundry service!
