BEST TIPS FOR PERFECT LAUNDRY

Most of us don’t exactly enjoy doing laundry – but you can make it less painful and avoid accidents if you follow these basic guidelines.

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There is a certain satisfaction in packing away a pile of clean, dry laundry – but the process of getting there can feel like drudgery, especially if you have other things that need to be done urgently. Minor annoyances can turn to major upsets, however, if you make any one of many common mistakes. Your favourite pink blouse comes out splotched with brown, or the tissues in little Lebo’s pockets have separated into a thousand tiny bits of white confetti that’s now firmly stuck to every other piece of clothing in the wash… Guaranteed to spoil your day. So take our tips on getting your washing done as quickly, easily and efficiently as possible, with no ruined clothes, flooded floors or frayed tempers.

ALWAYS



USE A QUALITY DETERGENT
Not all detergents are created equal. If you’re new to the laundry game, ask friends and family which brands they recommend. You might find that you pay slightly more, but save in the long run because you use less – and it does a better job of cleaning.

MEASURE YOUR DETERGENT
Too much detergent can leave residue on your clothes, not to mention waste money. Too little will not wash your clothing properly, so always follow the instructions on the package.

CHECK POINT
Check all pockets for items you might have forgotten such as shopping lists or money – or the dreaded tissues…

READ LABELS
The labels on clothing serve a handy purpose. Follow the instructions to help keep your clothes looking good for longer. For example, bleaching an item that shouldn’t be bleached could ruin it – as could machine-washing an item that should be hand washed. And washing certain fabrics on a hot-water cycle could mean your beautiful size 38 jersey comes out small enough to fit a five-year-old! As for colours running… if the label says wash separately, do so!


CLEAN THE MACHINE
Give your washer a good clean once a year using a solution of white vinegar and a tub full of the hottest water setting. Leave in the machine for an hour to soak before draining. You can also get commercially manufactured cleaning products.

NEVER

LET STAINS SIT AROUND

The sooner stains are treated, the better your chances of getting rid of them. If possible run the stain under cold water (never hot) straight away, while it is still wet. Stubborn stains should be pre-treated with stain remover before being put in the machine. (Go to jetclub.co.za and enter ‘stains’ in the search box for advice on how to treat different kinds of stains with common household ingredients.)

OVERLOAD THE MACHINE
If you put too big a load in the machine, your laundry will not be able to circulate freely in order to get properly clean. So always use your machine’s instructions to avoid wasting time and detergent.



USE HAND-WASHING POWDER IN AN AUTOMATIC MACHINE
The powder made for hand-washing is formulated to create a lot of soap suds, which could cause a rather dramatic laundry fail with froth escaping from the machine and covering your bathroom floor. Handwash powder will also usually not rinse properly out of clothing in a machine, and the excess soap suds can clog the machine’s pipes.

PLAY THE GUESSING GAME
Mixing colours is not a good idea. Don’t take chances, and also make sure that you test dark colours before putting them in the machine. Simply dip your dark-coloured item in a bit of water. If the colour runs out, wash it separately in cold water; if not it’s safe to go in the machine with the rest of your washing.