Doing the laundry can feel like a chore filled with hidden rules. You might have picked up tips and tricks over the years, but how many of them are actually true? The Laundry Lady is here to help you sort fact from fiction! We are debunking common laundry myths and sharing the best laundry practices. Avoid common laundry mistakes and get cleaner, fresher clothes.
Let’s dive into some widespread laundry beliefs and see what the science – and experience – says.
1. More Detergent Means Cleaner Clothes
Myth! Many people think: does more detergent clean better? The answer is a resounding NO. In fact, using too much detergent is a common laundry mistake. It can leave residue on your clothes, making them stiff and attracting more dirt. Excess detergent can also cause problems with your washing machine, like mould and bad odours.
According to Choice Australia, using the correct amount of detergent is crucial for optimal cleaning. They recommend following the detergent manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Always measure the detergent. Check the water hardness and soil level of your clothes.
Best Practice: At The Laundry Lady, our Laundry Ladies and Lads use our laundry liquids, especially designed for our brand, which ensures a high-quality service. We not only choose the best detergent, but we also advise everyone to use the amount of detergent recommended on the packaging. Adjust according to load size and soil level. Using too much detergent can cause clothes to become stiff and attract more dirt.
2. Hot Water is Always Best
Myth! The cold vs hot water washing debate has been raging for years. While hot water is great for sanitising and removing tough stains (especially oil based ones), it isn’t always necessary. In fact, washing in cold water has several advantages:
It saves energy. Hot water uses a lot more energy to heat. A study by Ariel found that washing in cold water (30°C) can reduce energy consumption by up to 60% compared to washing in hot water (60°C).
It is gentler on clothes. Hot water can cause colours to fade and fabrics to shrink.
It prevents dye transfer. Washing dark and coloured clothes in cold water minimises the risk of colours bleeding and ruining other items.
Best Practice: Like The Laundry Lady team does when conducting our services, use cold water for most loads, especially for colours and delicate fabrics. Reserve hot water for heavily soiled items or when sanitation is crucial.
3. You Don’t Need to Separate Laundry
Myth! Knowing how to separate laundry is essential to prevent disaster. Throwing everything into the wash together can lead to colour bleeding, damage to delicate items, and uneven cleaning.
Best Practice: Separate your laundry into these piles:
- Whites: Wash white and light-coloured clothes together to keep them bright.
- Darks: Wash dark colours together to prevent fading and bleeding.
- Delicates: Use a delicate setting for delicate items (lingerie, hosiery, silk, and lace). If you’re insecure about it, you can delegate it to The Laundry Lady and let the Laundry Lady or Lad in charge know in your customer notes that the delicate item requires a special treatment.
- Heavily Soiled Items: At The Laundry Lady, we wash them separately to prevent spreading dirt and bacteria to other clothes.
4. Fabric Softener is Essential
Myth! While fabric softener can make clothes feel softer and smell nice, it’s not essential. In fact, the truth is revealed when we discuss fabric softener myths:
Fabric softener coats fibres. This coating reduces their ability to absorb moisture. This means your towels won’t be as absorbent!
It can build up in your washing machine. This can lead to mould and unpleasant odours.
It can reduce the effectiveness of flame retardant finishes on children’s clothing.
Best Practice: Consider skipping fabric softener altogether. If you like the softness and scent, use it sparingly. Use dryer balls as a natural alternative to soften clothes and reduce drying time. Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle as a natural fabric softener.
At The Laundry Lady, our two branded detergents feature clean formulas and plant-based ingredients, making them excellent choices for preserving the fibres of your clothes for longer.
5. More is Better
Myth! This is the worst thing you can do for the health of your clothes.
Best practice: Always use less detergent. It will help your machine to clean faster and better without causing damage to your clothes.
Mastering the Art of Laundry:
Here are some extra practices that The Laundry Lady team follows to achieve laundry success:
- Read the care labels: We always check the care labels on your clothing before washing. These labels provide specific instructions for washing, drying, and ironing.
- Empty pockets: Before loading the washing machine, we check all pockets for loose items. Tissues, coins, and other objects can damage your clothes and your machine.
- Treat stains promptly: The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. We treat stains as soon as possible with a stain remover or a homemade solution.
- Dry clothes properly: We avoid over-drying clothes. This can cause shrinkage and damage to fibres.
By following these best laundry practices and debunking these common laundry myths, you can keep your clothes clean, fresh, and looking their best for longer. If you don’t have the time or if you want to outsource laundry, our expert team can help you with our convenient pickup and delivery laundry service.
Do you have any more laundry tips or tricks to share? Let us know in the comments below!
