Laundry is a chore that is a part of our daily lives and is often the last thing we want to do.
However, it’s an essential task that ensures we always have clean and fresh clothes.
Doing laundry may seem straightforward, but if you’re new to it, it may seem not very clear to navigate.
To simplify the process, we’ve put together seven simple steps to help you master the art of laundry.
From separating your clothes to folding them, this guide will help you easily complete your laundry.
Whether a college student or a homemaker, these fundamental steps will help you keep your clothes clean and fresh.
Keep reading to find out more about these steps.
Sort Your Laundry
Sorting your laundry is one of the most important steps in doing laundry.
It helps to prevent color bleeding, shrinkage, and other potential issues.
Here are some steps to help you sort your laundry:
1.
Sort by Color: Separate your clothes by dark colors such as black, navy, and red in one pile, and light colors such as white, pastels, and beige in another pile.
This keeps dyes from bleeding and avoids color transfer between garments.
2.
Sort by Fabric Type: Separate your clothes by the type of fabric.
For example, separate your delicates, such as lingerie, silk, and lace, from durable items such as jeans, towels, and sheets.
This helps prevent damage to your clothes that may be caused by different wash and dry cycles.
3.
Sort by Level of Dirt: Separate heavily soiled clothes from lightly soiled clothes.
The heavily soiled items like kids’ clothing, gym clothes, and uniforms, require more detergent or stain removers to properly clean them.
By sorting your laundry into different piles according to color, fabric type, and level of dirt, your clothes will come out cleaner, brighter, and last longer.
Sort by Example
Color: Dark colors (black, navy, red), Light colors (white, pastels, beige)
Fabric Type: Delicates (lingerie, silk, lace), Durable items (jeans, towels, sheets)
Level of Dirt: Heavily soiled (kids’ clothing, gym clothes, uniforms), Lightly soiled (casual wear, office wear)
Read the Label
Before starting your laundry, it’s important to read the label on your clothes to make sure you use the correct settings.
Here are a few things to look for on the label:
– Fabric type: Some fabrics, like silk or wool, require special care or specific temperature settings.
Double-check to make sure you’re not using the wrong cycle, which could damage your clothes.
– Recommended water temperature: The label should tell you whether to use cold, warm, or hot water.
Using the wrong temperature could cause shrinkage or fading.
– Bleach and detergent instructions: Some fabrics may not be able to withstand certain types of detergent or bleach.
The label will tell you which types to use, if any.
– Drying instructions: Check whether the clothes should be air-dried or put in the dryer, and if so, on what setting.
By taking the time to read the label, you can help prevent your clothes from getting ruined or damaged in the wash.
Pre-treat Stains
Pre-treating stains is an important step in doing laundry.
Here are some easy steps to follow:
1.
Identify the stain: You need to determine the type of stain before starting the pre-treatment process.
Different types of stains require different treatments.
For example, blood stains should be treated with cold water, while oil-based stains are best treated with baking soda or dish soap.
2.
Apply stain remover: There are many pre-treatment products available in the market, such as OxiClean and Shout.
Apply the recommended amount of the stain remover directly to the stained area.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label.
3.
Rub gently: After applying the stain remover, rub the area gently with your fingers or a soft brush.
This helps to spread the product and ensure that it penetrates the fibers of the fabric.
4.
Soak the garment: For tough stains, you might need to soak the garment in warm water for some time.
This can help to loosen the stain and make it easier to remove during the wash cycle.
Be sure to check the care label on the garment to ensure that it can be soaked.
5.
Wash as normal: After pre-treating the stain, wash the garment as normal.
Be sure to check the care label for the appropriate water temperature and cycle.
6.
Check the stain: Before drying the garment, check to see if the stain has been removed.
If not, repeat the pre-treatment process or try a different stain remover.
By following these simple steps, you can pre-treat stains and ensure that your clothes come out of the wash looking clean and fresh.
Choose Your Detergent and Cycle
Now that you have sorted your laundry and prepared the washing machine, it’s time to load up!
Start by adding the detergent.
Be sure to measure the right amount according to the instructions on the package.
Using too much detergent can result in extra suds and insufficient rinsing while using too little can leave stains behind.
Select the cycle that works best for your laundry load.
For example, using a cold water wash cycle for delicate fabrics can prevent shrinking and damage.
Select the water temperature.
The best temperature will depend on the fabric type and how dirty your clothes are. Always check the care label before selecting the temperature
Next, load your clothes one by one.
Avoid overloading the machine, as this can damage your garments and prevent adequate cleaning.
A good rule of thumb: fill the washer no more than three-quarters full.
If you have any delicate or bulky items, such as wool sweaters or comforters, place them in a mesh laundry bag before adding them to the machine.
This will help prevent snagging or tearing.
Once your clothes are in the machine, close the door or lid firmly.
Double-check that you’ve selected the right wash cycle and temperature for your items.
Finally, turn on the machine and let it do its thing! You’ll want to stick around for the first few minutes to make sure everything is working smoothly, then you can go about your day until the cycle finishes.
Remember, different clothes require different wash cycles and temperatures.
Always check the care instructions on the label to ensure you’re giving your clothes the proper treatment they need.
❌ Overloading can damage garments and prevent adequate cleaning
✅ Fill the washer no more than three-quarters full
Transfer Clothes to the Dryer
Once the washing cycle is complete, it’s time to transfer your clothes to the dryer.
Here are the steps to follow:
1.
Open the washing machine lid or door: safety first, make sure you avoid any hazards before proceeding.
2.
Take out each piece of clothing: carefully remove one item at a time to minimize wrinkles.
3.
Shake out any large items: shaking out larger items like blankets or sheets helps to prevent them from balling up in the dryer.
4.
Check the care tags: make sure all items are safe to be dried in the machine by double-checking the care tags.
5.
Load the dryer: place clothes in the dryer one at a time, take care not to overload.
6.
Add a dryer sheet or dryer balls: optional step, however adding a dryer sheet or dryer balls helps to reduce static and wrinkles.
7.
Set the dryer to the appropriate settings: set the heat and time settings appropriate for the type of clothing and their care labels.
8.
Start the dryer: close the door or lid and start the dryer.
Laundry Drying Tips
– If a particular item cannot be dried in the dryer, hang it to dry in a well-ventilated area.
– Do not overload the dryer as this could result in uneven drying and damage to the clothing.
– Remember to clean the lint filter before and after each load to improve the performance of your dryer.
That’s it! Following these simple steps will help you get the best results from your laundry and help you keep your clothes looking their best.
Fold and Put Away Your Clothes
Congratulations, you’ve made it to the final step of doing laundry! Now, it’s time to get those clean clothes organized and put away.
Here are some easy steps to follow to make sure this process goes smoothly:
1.
Sort your clothes: Before folding, separate your clothes into the appropriate piles.
This can make the process much easier and save time.
2.
Shake out the wrinkles: Take each piece of clothing out of the dryer and give it a good shake to get rid of any wrinkles.
3.
Fold your clothes: There are many different ways you can fold your clothes, depending on the type of clothing and your personal preference.
Some popular folding techniques include the KonMari method, the Marie Kondo method, and the military roll.
4.
Hang up your clothes: For clothes that need to be hung up, use hangers and arrange them in your closet based on your preferences.
5.
Put away your clothes: Finally, put your clothes in their designated drawers or shelves.
Make sure everything is in the right place and you’re good to go!
Remember, this is the final step of doing laundry, but it’s just as important as the previous ones.
Keeping your clothes organized and put away properly can help you maintain a clean and functional living space.
Conclusion
Laundry might seem like a daunting task, but with these simple steps, you can become a laundry expert in no time.
Let’s recap what we learned:
1.
Sort your laundry by color and fabric type.
2.
Pre-treat any stains or heavily soiled items.
3.
Choose the right washing machine settings and add detergent.
4.
Use the appropriate dryer settings or hang dry delicate items.
5.
Fold or hang your clean clothes immediately.
6.
Store your laundry supplies in a designated area for easy access.
7.
Make laundry a regular habit to prevent buildup and stress.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure clean and fresh-smelling clothes every time.
Remember to keep safety in mind when using laundry equipment and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Laundry can be a simple and satisfying task with a little knowledge and effort.
So put on your favorite music or podcast, grab a drink, and start tackling that laundry pile!