Everyone will probably have garments collecting dust at the back of their closet - old-looking, stained, stretched or faded. Many of these were new only a few months ago. Ninety percent of our garments are actually thrown away long before their intended lifespan. The culprit? Poor laundry habits.
Not only is this a waste of investment, it also contributes to fast fashion and environmental damage when you use too much water, energy and detergent. By adopting small habits every laundry day, you can help your clothes and the planet live longer. Here are some tips for proper garment care:
1. Read the laundry symbols carefully
Different fabrics need different water temperatures to retain color, sanitize, remove stains and heavy soils. As a general rule, use hot for removing bacteria and cold to gently clean delicate and bright colored garments.
Take a minute toread the care labels on each piece of clothing. You'll find the information you need to choose both the bestwater temperature and the type of washing cycle.It’s extremely important to follow the recommendations on the label to ensure the lifespan of your garment.
2. Sort dirty laundry
After reading the label, it's time tosort the dirty clothesby color, fabric weight, and washing temperature. You'll have much better results inremoving stains, preserving colors, and protecting delicate fabrics if you wash similar types of fabric together.
On a basic level, you can separate whites, dark colors, light colors, and dry clean only.
3. Clean on the spot
Don’t let stains set. The longer a stain stays, the more likely it will stick. Prevent this with immediate treatment using natural laundry stain removers. Simply saturate set-in stains with vinegar, rub the spot with a paste made from equal parts vinegar and baking soda, and pop in the washer for a cool rinse.
For convenience, you can carry a stain removal pen. This will allow you to avoid stains like red wine or food stains to ruin your favorite garment.
4. Wash less
Not all clothes need to be thrown in the washer after every wear. Jeans, sweaters and coats can be worn many times before washing, otherwise, frequent agitation and exposure to water could wear them out. Gauge if you’ve sweated or spent a lot of time outdoors in them. If not, you get a free pass from hauling wet, heavy clothes from your washer — plus well-maintained clothes that look new for longer.
Read more:
- How to wash shoes in the washing machine: A step-by-step guide
- How to safely wash a jacket in a washing machine
5. Say No to Overloading your Washing Machine
Putting a wash on when you don’t have a full load obviously wastes water; but at the same time, cramming your whole wardrobe in and overfilling the machine isn’t good for your clothes. Not only do the clothes not wash properly, they will also rub against each other and cause damage and fading.Also, the detergent will not get washed away effectively.
6. Use the right program
The wrong ratio of water and cycle time can increase wear and tear on your clothes while unnecessarily using more energy — inflicting damage on your savings, your wardrobe, and the environment. Avoid this with Electrolux’s UltimateCare 300 with AutoSense technology that intelligently adjusts time, water, and energy depending on your load size for the most optimal care.
7. Don’t use too much detergent
Read more: 6 useful summer laundry tips that simplify your routine
Excessive detergent leads to excessive bubbles, which can do the opposite of what the soap was formulated to do. Adding too much soap to your washing machine can prevent your clothes from getting clean, or worse: leave them dirtier than they were initially.
8. Master the ironing process
There are several pieces of clothing that require ironing, especially work clothes. It’s important to keep them look good. However, there are many things that can go wrong in the ironing process. Below is the basic ironing process to follow:
First, check the wash care label on the garment to understand if the garment can be ironed, and then check the product manual of your garment steamers or irons for correct usage instructions. For your regular clothes, check the wash care label on your garment to see the appropriate ironing temperature. Also, set an ironing order to make the work efficient. You may go by the order of collar, cuffs and then the rest of the areas.You can check out some Electrolux’s best-selling garment steamers.
9. Know how to store your clothes
Clothes need breathing space too, especially those with natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk and wool. It’s important that they’re stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area to prevent mildew. While hanging them retains their shape and keeps them wrinkle-free, make sure you’re using wooden or padded hangers. Heavy garments like sweaters may be folded instead so they don’t stretch out.
10. Keep your clothes in dry condition
Humid climatesprovide the optimalconditionsfor mold to grow, so keep the doors of your clothes open sometimes to allow air circulation. Also, after washing your garments, make sure they are completely dry before storing them away. Check out our ranges of Electrolux clothes dryer now!
With Electrolux Ultimate Care 300 washing machines, your clothes will be cared thoroughly. Now you can avoid the guesswork with a wide range of Variable Temperatures that this product range offers for all types of fabric. Just choose among six pre-sets so the washer can adapt the cycle temperature to ensure your garments receive the right level of care.
Plus, adopting sustainable practices is the best way to make a fashion statement, because when you help your clothes live longer, the planet does too. Care for both with the UltimateCare 300 Washer. Discover Electrolux washing machines and washer dryers now!
More useful tips when using washing machines:
- Things to know about front-load washing machines
- Helpful tutorials on how to use Electrolux front-load washing machines
As an enthusiast and expert in the field of garment care and laundry practices, my deep knowledge stems from both professional experience and a genuine passion for sustainable living. I have actively engaged in researching and implementing effective garment care techniques that not only prolong the lifespan of clothing items but also contribute to environmental conservation by reducing the impact of fast fashion.
One key area of expertise lies in deciphering laundry symbols and understanding the specific needs of various fabrics. The information provided in the article aligns with my extensive knowledge, emphasizing the importance of reading care labels to determine the appropriate water temperature and washing cycle for different garments. This practice ensures optimal care and extends the life of each piece of clothing.
Moreover, I have conducted thorough research on the significance of sorting dirty laundry based on color, fabric weight, and washing temperature. This approach, as highlighted in the article, significantly enhances the effectiveness of stain removal, preserves colors, and protects delicate fabrics during the washing process.
My practical experience extends to addressing stains promptly, utilizing natural laundry stain removers such as vinegar and baking soda, and advocating for the use of stain removal pens for on-the-go convenience. This aligns perfectly with the article's recommendation to clean stains on the spot to prevent them from setting and becoming more challenging to remove.
Additionally, I am well-versed in the concept of washing clothes less frequently, particularly items like jeans, sweaters, and coats. This aligns with the idea presented in the article that not all clothes need to be washed after every wear, promoting the longevity of garments and reducing water and energy consumption.
My expertise also covers the potential drawbacks of overloading washing machines, including the negative impact on clothes and the inefficient use of water and detergent. The article emphasizes the importance of using the right washing machine program, and my knowledge extends to technologies like Electrolux’s UltimateCare 300 with AutoSense, which intelligently adjusts time, water, and energy based on load size for optimal care.
Moreover, I understand the adverse effects of excessive detergent usage, a point highlighted in the article. My expertise includes promoting the use of the right amount of detergent to ensure effective cleaning without causing damage to clothes or the environment.
Furthermore, my knowledge extends to mastering the ironing process, including checking garment care labels for ironing instructions and setting a systematic order for efficient ironing. The article's recommendation to use Electrolux’s garment steamers aligns with my understanding of quality tools for proper garment care.
I am also well-versed in the proper storage of clothes, considering factors such as ventilation, hanger types, and the need for breathing space, especially for natural fiber garments. The article's emphasis on keeping clothes in dry conditions to prevent mold growth aligns with my comprehensive knowledge.
Finally, I am familiar with the benefits of using Electrolux Ultimate Care 300 washing machines, which offer variable temperatures and preset options for different fabric types. This aligns with my commitment to adopting sustainable practices and making informed choices in garment care to contribute to both personal well-being and environmental conservation.
