6 Laundry Tips (learned from a pro)

I started cleaning my own laundry as a teenager. I thought I knew everything there was to know about cleaning clothes. I had been taught by my Mom, how could I go wrong? Separate the darks, lights, colors, delicates, etc. Measure the correct amount of detergent. Using fabric softener dryer sheets when running the dryer was the best way to control static. Only air dry things that you don’t want to shrink, otherwise it can be thrown in the dryer.

I was so wrong. I didn’t realize how wrong I was until I married an appliance salesman. It was a slow learning process for me. Mainly because I am extremely stubborn and HATE to admit that I might be wrong about something. Here are a few of the things I have learned over the years that have helped me and my clothes.

1.       Loose the dryer sheets. They are very dangerous for your dryer. The fabric soften in the dryer sheets clogs the lint vents. Clogged vents lead to overheating. Lint and clothes are very flammable. Flammable objects and overheating machines start fires. Loose the dryer sheets!

2.       Always, always, ALWAYS clean out the lint screen. Again, when the screen is clogged it causes the machine to overheat which can start fires. And it helps your next load dry faster.

3.       Use the proper washing cycle. If you are washing your bedspread, put the washer on the bedding cycle. Modern machines are programmed to run differently on each setting. More/less water, hotter/colder water, faster/slower spinning cycle, longer/shorter rinse cycle. Delicate loads can’t handle the same wash cycle as your t-shirts and jeans. 

4.       Use the minimum amount of detergent. I was raised to believe that the more laundry detergent you used the better (as long as it all rinsed out). Not True! I have a High Efficiency front load washer. I had it for 3 years before I realized that I was putting in twice the amount of detergent than it needed (and what I had been using was less than half the amount I needed for the top load coin-op machines I used in college). It not only waists detergent and money, but it causes your machine to smell. 

5.       Run a monthly cleaning cycle. Pop in one or two machine cleaning tablets and run a cleaning cycle at least once a month. Remember how I used too much detergent? Well, using too much causes it to build-up on the inside of the machine and mildew. GROSS! Once I started using the correct amount of detergent and cleaning the machine regularly, no more stinky machines!

6.       Liquid fabric softener is fabulous! I missed used the dryer sheets. My clothes were always full of static and I really missed the fresh clean smell. So I broke down and bought the cheapest bottle of liquid fabric softener. It not only gave me the soft, fresh clothes I missed, but it also got rid of the excess static without clogging my dryer’s lint screen.

Don't be afraid to go and ask questions from an appliance salesperson. Their job is to have all the latest info on the machines they sell. Although, I would suggest talking with a NON-commission salesperson (less stress for them and you). While most stores sell on commission (Sears, Best Buy, Furniture stores, and specialty shops) box stores are usually non-commission (Lowes, HomeDepot, etc.).