Common laundry blunders leading to detergent stains on clothing unveiled by laundry professionals, including three common oversights
In the world of laundry, it's easy to make mistakes that can lead to detergent stains and other issues. Here's a guide to help you wash your clothes effectively and maintain your washing machine.
Firstly, it's important to avoid applying detergent directly onto your clothes. This can create high-concentration spots that do not diffuse evenly, leading to potential stains. Instead, add the detergent into the washer's dispenser.
Excess powder or liquid detergent can leave residual amounts that the washing machine cannot remove. To prevent this, use the recommended amount of detergent based on the load size and water hardness. Using less detergent is usually better.
When it comes to water temperature, using cold water for washing can lead to detergent stains, as cold water does not dissolve detergent as effectively as warm or hot water. Moreover, cold water washing can cause stains on certain fabrics, particularly non-absorbent synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, or microfiber.
Pre-dissolving powders in warm water is recommended for cold cycles or when using low or medium water levels. Powder detergents do not dissolve well in cold water, requiring warm or hot water settings for proper dissolution.
Overloading the washing machine is another common mistake. This prevents water and detergent from moving freely around clothes, leading to an unbalanced distribution and possible detergent stains. Overloading should be avoided at all costs.
To remove any residue left on clothing, running an extra rinse cycle can be helpful. This is particularly useful when washing sheer fabric or dark colours.
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Lastly, it's crucial to use high-efficiency (HE) detergent for high-efficiency machines, and to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for dosing. Detergent residues on clothing can cause visible deposits that make fabrics appear dull, stiff, or sticky, and may contribute to skin irritation or allergic reactions due to leftover chemicals. Hard water can exacerbate the problem, as minerals will cling to detergent and increase how hard it is to rinse.
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