Laundry Top Tips
Laundry – it’s an inevitable part of life. Laundry is a regular household task that can soon become overwhelming if you don’t keep on top of things.
Like many household chores, laundry also has the possibility to go very wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. Using the right products, wash cycles and following instructions is vital to protect your items, while also masking the task easier.
Take a look at our top laundry tips to help you become a laundry pro – you may even learn something new about washing your clothes!
How to do laundry: basic laundry tips
Separate your lights and darks
It’s very important to separate your laundry properly. You’ll want to separate your lights and darks, grouping strong colours (like red), and also grouping by fabric (cotton, wool, etc.) so that you can use the right settings to clean each category of clothing.
Try to do a load every day instead of stacking it up until the weekend
There’s nothing worse than being faced with an endless pile of washing at the weekend. If you can, do a load every day to keep your laundry bin ticking over and to make your laundry more manageable.
If your washing machine has a timer, set it to do a load first thing in the morning so that it’s ready to put out to dry before you start work – that’s how to do laundry the easy way.
Take time to get to know your washing machine settings
Washing machines come with all kinds of settings designed to be adjusted for the items you are washing. One of the best washing machine tips is to spend time getting to know each of your washing machine’s settings and what they mean to help you get the most out of it. Keep your manual somewhere safe you can refer to if needed.
Tackle a stain sooner rather than later
The sooner you can tackle a stain, the better. For a heavy, difficult stain, take action straight away using the right laundry products to help you save your items and remove the stain thoroughly.
Dry clothes outdoors for best results and to save money
Drying your clothes outdoors is the cheapest and most effective way to do it. Take advantage of sunny days by getting your clothes outdoors. The smell will be incredible, and you can easily tackle multiple loads of washing on a warm, sunny day.
How to keep your clothes looking new after washing
One of the reasons why clothes start to look worn or faded is due to washing. Some clothes will naturally wear with time, but if you take extra steps to take care of them, you can keep your clothes looking newer for longer. Some tips on how to keep your clothes looking new after washing include:
Take steps to prevent fading
As many items are clothing are dyed, the colour can begin to fade in time. A good tip to prolong the life of your clothes is to turn them inside out for washing and to use a colour care fabric.
If you notice clothes are fading, like jeans for example, you could use a machine-friendly clothes dye to bring the colour back to life.
Go as cold as you can
Washing your clothes on cold water is not only better for the environment and your energy bills, but it’s also better for the clothes too. Using a colder setting for your clothes will be less likely to affect the fabric, keeping your clothes in shape and looking like new.
Your washing machine can use a significant amount of energy to heat the water to wash your clothes. If you want to save energy using your washing machine, colder washes will help you bring the cost down.
Use the best setting for the fabric
Another vital washing machine tip is to ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. Check the care instructions for your clothes before you wash them to prevent shrinking and other problems that could easily leave an item ruined.
Keep whites white
Keep your whites looking white by making sure you separate them from your other clothes. Use a warmer setting on your washing machine, choosing ‘White’ if you have it. Use a white booster (baking soda is an excellent low-cost whitener) to get rid of tougher stains and dry your items outdoors to help them stay looking fresh and white.
How to choose the right laundry products for you
There are a lot of different laundry products on the market that can help you get the best from your laundry. If you have allergies, there are products that can help you enjoy gentler washes for your skin and prevent irritation.
Most people have a preference about whether they use laundry detergent in powder or liquid form. Powder can be more cost-effective, and also tends to have stronger stain removal properties. You may need to try both to help you find the right match for you.
phs Direct sells a wide range of laundry products in different sizes, helping you make sure you have everything you need to tackle your laundry.
Maintaining your washing machine
When it comes to laundry tips, many people forget to mention the washing machine itself. By taking time to maintain your washing machine, you can ensure it performs as expected, while also preventing odours.
Once a month, give your washing machine a clean. You can run an empty cycle and put your washer on a hot setting to help clear some unwanted residue, or you can use a specialist washing machine cleaner.
You should also check your drain regularly for signs of blockages and clean the drawers, drum and door with antibacterial cleaners.
Buy must-have laundry products from phs Direct
Whether you love or hate doing the laundry, it’s something that needs to be done every week. You can make it easier by making sure you have the right laundry products in stock and ready to use. At phs, we sell a wide range of products, including eco-friendly SoluCLEAN products which are ‘just add water’, helping you do more to protect the environment.
Explore our laundry products and take steps to keep your laundry pile down and help items look their best for longer.