Cleaning is an inevitable part of keeping your home in order. However, there are some ways to make this task less complicated and time-consuming, especially for laundry! Learning how to up your laundry game at home will keep clothes clean and fresh while also helping save money on detergent and dryer sheets. In this article, we’ll guide you through the five ways to up your laundry game at home.
Invest in a Front-Load Washer
Front-load washers are much more water-efficient than your traditional top-loading models. They also use less detergent, which means clothes are cleaner, clothes last longer, and you save money on laundry supplies! Though front loaders can be pricier upfront, the cost of replacing washers every few years makes them the most economical choice for long-term usage. Plus, they’re energy-efficient. This means that, on average, they will cost less to run annually than top loaders or standard dryers.
Install a Water Softener System
If you have a well-water system in your home, the chances are that the water is full of minerals. This can be great for making soap and keeping skin moisturized, but it creates havoc on clothes. Hard water can cause mineral buildup, which leads to ineffective cleaning and decreased efficiency from your washer and dryer. While your home might not require a commercial water softener system designed for a laundromat, it could benefit from a residential model.
A water softener helps in two ways. First, it removes minerals from the water, which prevents them from being deposited onto your clothes. Second, it boosts cleaning power by reducing the amount of soap you need to use when doing laundry. While whole house treatment systems are often more time-consuming and complicated than smaller models, they effectively eliminate two common washing machine problems!
Wash Full Loads Whenever Possible
One way to up your laundry game at home is by washing full loads instead of small ones. It doesn’t mean you should stop doing laundry after one full load, either. However, if clothes need washing but aren’t dirty enough for another full load each time they’re worn, put them in the hamper and wait until you have enough clothes to do another full wash. This helps save energy because it minimizes how much water you waste waiting for washers and dryers to fill up, which is especially significant since front-loaders use so much less water than top loaders.
Use Cold Water
Using cold water when you do laundry helps save money on utility bills and prolong the life of your clothes! You should only consider a hot wash if a piece of clothing has been exposed to an oily or greasy substance and needs special treatment. A warm/cold wash works just fine for most loads of laundry, including sheets and towels. If a specific garment requires hot water, look for a permanent stain remover pen – these can be used safely on all types of washers and fabrics.
Also, cold water helps reduce frizz, a common problem with synthetic and cotton fabrics. Cotton and synthetic fibers respond to high temperatures by curling up and winding around themselves. This makes clothes fade faster and reduces their lifespan, and reduces the life of your washer since hot water causes lint to build up more quickly in the drain filters.
Utilize Bleach Sparingly and Don’t Forget About Vinegar
While bleach is an excellent stain-buster, it’s also harsh on clothes. Instead of adding bleach to every load, add one cup for monthly deep cleanings or when needed. White clothing items should only be put through a complete cycle with bleach once per season. To maintain bright white fabrics while avoiding damage, always remember to remove these articles before putting them into the dryer. Bleach causes colors to fade and materials to wear out quickly!
A great eco-friendly addition to any household routine is white vinegar. In addition to being highly versatile in the many ways you can utilize it around your home, from cleaning windows to getting rid of pesky fruit flies, vinegar also acts as a natural softener for laundry. Add half a cup to your load’s rinse cycle to enhance fabric softness without the use of harsh chemicals!
In conclusion, of course, it’s great to buy new clothes and styles each season, but it doesn’t have to be expensive! With some time spent learning about the best way s to clean your clothes, you can get more life out of them without needing to purchase replacements constantly. Remember, both your closet and your wallet will thank you later!
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