Washing regular clothes correctly prolongs their life and keeps them fresh. Here are some steps to follow:
1. Sort the clothes
- Color: Sort clothes into light, dark, and white piles.
- Material: Divide clothes by material, such as cotton, synthetic, or wool.
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Dirt level: Very dirty clothes should be washed separately from lightly soiled garments.
2. Check washing symbols
Check the washing instructions on the clothes' labels to find out the recommended temperature and program.
3. Choose the right detergent
- All-purpose detergent works well for most clothes.
- All-purpose detergent for delicate garments like wool or silk.
- Contaminated laundry from, for example, healthcare should be washed and handled by a professional.
4. Use the correct temperature, general advice. Always read the washing instructions in the garment.
- 30-40°C for synthetics.
- 60°C for towels, bed linens, and underwear if they need to be disinfected.
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Cold wash for delicate materials like silk or wool, preferably hand wash.
5. Start the machine
- Select the appropriate washing program depending on the clothes' material and dirt level.
- Add fabric softener if desired, but avoid it for materials like microfiber and sportswear, as it can affect their function. Fabric softener to make the wash soft is not needed if you use all-purpose detergent.
6. Dry the clothes
- Air drying is gentlest on most clothes.
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Tumble dryers can be used for some garments, but always check the label. Some materials shrink or wear out more easily when machine dried.
With these steps, your clothes should be washed gently and effectively!
Questions and answers
1. Do you need several different detergents at home?
Answer: No, if you use all-purpose detergent, you can wash all garments with it.
2. Do you need bleach for white laundry?
Answer: No, sort the laundry carefully (wash whites with only whites) and add a tablespoon of baking soda to the white wash, and it works well to use All-purpose detergent.
3. How do you know if you can use a tumble dryer or not?
Answer: Read the washing instructions in the garment.