Before putting the laundry in the washing machine, there are several steps you should follow to ensure that the clothes are thoroughly cleaned and not damaged during the washing process. Here is a checklist:

Checklist before washing clothes in the washing machine:

Sort the laundry:

Color: Separate whites, light-colored, and dark clothes to prevent color transfer.
Material: Sort clothes by material type (e.g., cotton, synthetics, delicate fabrics), as they may have different washing requirements.
Soil level: Wash very dirty clothes separately from lightly soiled garments.

Check care labels:

Read the care and washing instructions on the garments to follow specific guidelines for temperature, wash cycle, and drying.

Pre-treat stains:

Treat any stains with a stain remover before putting the garment in the machine.

Close zippers and buttons:

Close zippers and fasten buttons to prevent them from catching or damaging other garments. If possible, try to turn zippers and buttons inward; that is, turn the garment inside out so that the outside is on the inside. This prevents buttons and zippers from damaging other garments in the machine.

Turn clothes inside out:

Turn delicate garments and clothes with prints or embroidery inside out to protect them during washing.

Empty pockets:

Check all pockets and remove items such as coins, keys, or paper to prevent damage to both clothes and the machine.

Use laundry bags:

Place delicate garments, small items (such as socks), and underwear in laundry bags to protect them.

Synthetic garments such as fleece should be washed in a laundry bag that collects microplastics to prevent them from being released with the wash water and entering the environment.

Measure out the correct amount of detergent:

Follow the dosing instructions on the detergent packaging based on the amount of laundry and how dirty it is. Overdosing can leave detergent residue on the clothes.

Check the weight capacity:

Make sure not to overload the washing machine. Overloaded machines do not wash as effectively and can damage both clothes and the machine.

By following these steps, you prepare your laundry in the best possible way, helping to extend the life of your clothes and improve washing results.