Basic House Chores: Doing the Laundry

While most people looking through these blog posts are probably adults who already clean their own homes, there are still people who are venturing out on their own for the first time. People who have probably been doing chores, to finish them the quickest way possible, but maybe not realizing that there was an order to these things.

Or maybe, in this case, you've never had to do laundry and now find yourself unsure how to proceed.

But once we start living alone, we need to learn HOW to do things, and WHY we should do it the right way.

Let's Begin!

1. Sort Your Laundry

• By care instructions: Check the labels for any special instructions (e.g., cold wash, hand wash, etc.). If stained, you will need to pre-treat the stain, before including it to the rest of either the colored or white fabrics.

Why this step is important: This is how your clothes either get shunk in the wash, don't endure as long, doesn't get clean the way it should, or get damaged. Some fabrics need special care. Some fabrics need pre-treatment to get the stain out, before washing.

• By color: Separate light colors (white, pastels) from dark colors (blacks, reds, blues) to prevent dye bleeding.

Why this step is important: Not all dyed/colored fabrics will play nice with your whites. You don't want to risk having your white clothes turn into a weird color.

If you like adding bleach to your white clothes (because some people do, especially when you have a lot of stained items and you don't feel like doing individual spot-treatment and just want to soak it and wash, all in one go), it will damage your colored clothes (hence the importance of washing them separately). You could always buy color-safe bleach, but the moment you grab the wrong bleach by mistake, it'll be too late, once you pour it in. Ultimately, just wash the coloreds and whites separately.

• By fabric type: Wash heavier items like towels and blankets separately from delicate fabrics.

  
  

  Why this step is important: When the machine is churning the laundry, due to the sheer size/thickness of the heavier items, it might not clean either type the way it should. It will also affect the amount of water/soap/fabric conditioner you put in. Better to wash your heavier items separately.

  
  

2. Prepare Your Clothes

• Check pockets: Empty any items like tissues, coins, or keys.

Why this step is important: Paper gets shredded in the wash, and will stick onto the fabric. You'll end up having to use a lint-roller to remove them. Hard/metal items might damage the tub.

• Close zippers and fasten buttons: This prevents snags and helps prevent clothes from getting damaged.

• Turn clothes inside out: This helps prevent fading and protects prints/logos.

  
  

3. Choose the Right Detergent

• Use a detergent that matches your needs. There are specific detergents for sensitive skin, heavy-duty cleaning, and delicate fabrics.

• Use the recommended amount—too much detergent can leave residue, and too little won’t clean effectively.

  
  

4. Select the Right Wash Cycle

• For normal laundry: Use the regular or normal cycle for everyday clothes.

• For delicates: Use a gentle cycle with cold water to protect delicate fabrics.

• For heavy-duty cleaning: Towels, sheets, or heavily soiled clothes may need a heavy-duty or bulky cycle.

Why this step is important: To ensure it gets cleaned thoroughly with the correct amount of product needed, so you're not wasting water, detergent, etc

5. Set the Water Temperature

• Cold water (60°F/15°C to 80°F/27°C): Good for delicate fabrics and dark colors to prevent shrinking or fading.

• Warm water (90°F/32°C to 110°F/43°C): Works well for normal loads and most colors.

• Hot water (120°F/49°C and higher): Best for white clothes or heavily soiled items like towels or sheets.

6. Start the Washer

• Add your detergent (and any fabric softener if desired) to the designated compartment.

• Load your clothes into the washer, but don’t overload it. Leave enough room for clothes to move freely.

  
  

  Why this step is important: OVERLOADING will cause the cycle to get stuck. In other words, the wash timer will probably keep counting down, but the machine / tub won't actually turn that much, if at all. Or it will show an error and stop moving completely. Either way, your clothes won't get cleaned.

7. Dry Your Laundry

• Check labels for drying instructions: Some clothes need air drying, while others can go in the dryer.

• Use the right dryer setting:

  • Low heat: Good for delicate items to prevent shrinking.

  • High heat: For towels, sheets, and other sturdy items.

  • Air dry: For delicate fabrics or garments with "dry clean only" tags.

    
    

Why this step is important: Leaving your clothes in the washer, as is, instead of air-drying it or putting it into a dryer, especially for long periods of time, may cause it to smell bad, cause mold, be prone to damage, etc.

8. Fold or Hang Immediately

• Once your laundry is dry, fold it right away to avoid wrinkles.

• Hang items that are prone to wrinkling or that you prefer not to fold (e.g., dresses, shirts).

And that’s pretty much it! We hope this helps, and feel free to visit our blog anytime, for more tips!

Need Help? We're here for you!

Too tired? Too busy with work, that you just want to rest on the weekend? Doubletime Cleaning is here to help! Our team of professionals can give your home the attention and care it needs, leaving it shining bright and sparkling, with every cleaning.

We offer a thorough service that covers every corner of your home. Let us handle the heavy lifting so you can enjoy a cleaner, brighter home without the hassle.

Contact us today at (469) 912-1172 to schedule a cleaning or visit our website at doubletimecleaning.com learn more about our services.

Visit our blog at Doubletime Cleaning Blog for more cleaning tips and advice!

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