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Image Credit: Suchada Tansirimas/Getty ImagesFor many, doing laundry is a tedious task. However, it’s worth pausing to appreciate how far we’ve come with advancements in laundry detergents, washing machines, and drying methods.
Today’s detergents are pre-measured, packed with powerful cleaning enzymes, and eco-friendly. Modern washing machines are larger, gentler on fabrics, and equipped with customizable settings for different materials and load sizes. Additionally, automatic dryers eliminate the need for outdoor drying in harsh weather, provide specialized cycles for various fabrics, and even offer sanitizing features.
Given these innovations, it’s time to ditch outdated laundry habits and embrace more efficient practices. Here are seven old-school laundry habits you should leave behind.
1. Designating Monday as "Laundry Day"
"Wash on Monday, iron on Tuesday, mend on Wednesday, churn on Thursday, clean on Friday, and bake on Saturday" was a routine ingrained in every young woman in the past. Ditch this rigid schedule and the outdated idea of cramming all your laundry tasks into a single day, as it can quickly become overwhelming.
Purchase several laundry hampers and encourage everyone in your household to sort their dirty clothes by color and fabric type. Start a load of laundry before heading to work and move it to the dryer later. Wash another load before going to bed and dry it the following morning. Make sure to fold and put away each batch of clean laundry promptly to avoid a towering pile.
2. Relying on Hot Water for Cleaner Results
In the past, clothes were boiled in hot water over a fire to achieve cleanliness. These garments were typically made of sturdy cotton or linen that could endure high heat. However, modern synthetic fabrics and delicate natural fibers like silk and fine cotton cannot withstand repeated hot water washes. Additionally, hot water can cause darker clothes to lose their color. Thanks to the improved cleaning power of advanced detergents, cold or warm water is sufficient to tackle most stains and dirt.
3. Using Extra Detergent for Better Cleaning
Using extra detergent in every wash might appear to guarantee cleaner clothes, but it often backfires. Excessive detergent leaves behind a residue that traps dirt and odors, making fabrics stiff and uncomfortable. One common mistake is pouring liquid detergent directly onto clothes or using too many detergent pods. High-efficiency washers, whether front-loading or top-loading, require just one pod or approximately two teaspoons of liquid detergent for a full load.
4. Believing Fragrant Clothes Are Truly Clean
While the lingering scent of detergent on your clothes might be appealing, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re clean. Truly clean laundry should be free of oily, sweaty, or food-related odors. Strongly scented detergents often mask these smells temporarily, but they resurface as body heat activates them. Experiment with an unscented detergent to determine if your clothes are genuinely clean.
5. Using the Same Washer and Dryer Settings for Every Load
To save money and achieve better laundry results, adjust the load size, washer cycle, water temperature, and dryer settings for each load. Consider factors like the amount of laundry, the level of dirt, and the fabric type every time you use the washer or dryer.
6. Ignoring Clothing Care Labels Can Cost You
Have you experienced a garment shrinking, colors bleeding, or a microfiber jacket emerging from the wash covered in lint? These mishaps could often be avoided by simply checking the care labels. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission requires care labels on all clothing and textiles sold in the country, detailing fiber content and cleaning instructions. While manufacturers often suggest the most cautious cleaning methods to maintain the garment’s appearance, your laundry expertise can help you decide whether to machine wash, hand wash, or dry clean an item.
7. Assuming Your Washer Self-Cleans After Each Cycle
Despite the water flow during washing and rinsing, every washer accumulates dirt, hair, lint, and debris. Regularly cleaning your washer at least once a month ensures cleaner laundry and prevents costly clogs in the water lines.
