{"id":8765,"date":"2021-06-21T07:25:45","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T07:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alternatech.net\/?p=8765"},"modified":"2021-06-21T07:25:45","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T07:25:45","slug":"laundry-mistakes-you-didnt-know-you-were-making","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/laundry-mistakes-you-didnt-know-you-were-making\/","title":{"rendered":"Laundry Mistakes You Didn\u2019t Know You Were Making"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 class='\"listicle-h2\"'><strong>Don\u2019t just sort lights and darks\n<p class='\"listicle-para\"'>Separate very dirty or muddy clothes apart from lightly soiled pieces, and heavy or abrasive fabrics like denim from more delicate ones. (For denim, turn inside out, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, and dry at a low temperature to prevent fading.) To prevent sheets from twisting, wash each set separately instead of the whole family\u2019s at once, and include smaller items like underwear in the load. According to Donna Smallin Kuper, author of\u00a0<i>The One-Minute Cleaner, the items help prevent twisting because they have different tumble patterns.\n</i></p><p><img fetchpriority='\"high\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-8766 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/01_Lights_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_478483900_Evgeny-Atamanenko-760x506-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"452\"' height='\"301\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/01_Lights_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_478483900_Evgeny-Atamanenko-760x506-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><h3 class='\"listicle-h2\"'><strong>Don\u2019t put detergent directly on your clothes\n<p class='\"listicle-para\"'>Believe it or not, there\u2019s a right and wrong way to load the washing machine.\u00a0Laundry experts say that for best detergent distribution (read: cleaner clothes), place laundry in first, then add water, and lastly add soap. However, if you\u2019re using bleach, add water first, then clothes, and then soap.\n</p><p><img decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-8767 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/02_Detergent_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_306280355_Andrey_Popov-760x506-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"401\"' height='\"267\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/02_Detergent_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_306280355_Andrey_Popov-760x506-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><h3 class='\"listicle-h2\"'><strong>Don\u2019t abuse your dryer\n<p class='\"listicle-para\"'>If you have time to air dry, do it. Not only do you save energy by not running the dryer, it\u2019s gentler on delicate items and helps stretchy clothing, like yoga pants, to keep their shape. Whenever you do tumble-dry, don\u2019t overload the dryer, or over-dry fabrics. Then fold or hang them immediately to prevent wrinkles.\n</p><p><img decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-8768 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/03_Dryer_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_369726827_BurAnd-760x506-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"413\"' height='\"275\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/03_Dryer_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_369726827_BurAnd-760x506-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><h3 class='\"listicle-h2\"'><strong>Don\u2019t mix socks with clothes\n<p class='\"listicle-para\"'>Tired of losing one less sock every time you do a load? Try placing socks in the washer first, then adding everything else. This makes them less likely to attach to other garments, which often causes them to go missing.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-8769 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/05_Zippers__Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_285031952_Weerachai-Khamfu-760x506-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"435\"' height='\"290\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/05_Zippers__Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_285031952_Weerachai-Khamfu-760x506-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><h3 class='\"listicle-h2\"'><strong>Don\u2019t leave zippers open\n<p class='\"listicle-para\"'>Loose zippers can snag delicate clothing, as well as scratch the doors of front-loading washers. Make sure they\u2019re all the way up before you toss in the machine. Also, unclipped bras can pull fabrics or damage the drum if they fly around loose. Invest in lingerie bags or an old pillowcase as a solution.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-8770 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/06_Shirts__Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_194993786_Gargantiopa-760x506-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"443\"' height='\"295\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/06_Shirts__Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_194993786_Gargantiopa-760x506-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><h3><strong>Don\u2019t leave dress shirts buttoned\n<p>Yes, zippers should be fastened, but buttons should not. Washing a button-down shirt with the buttons fastened can damage the buttons and rip the buttonholes. And don\u2019t forget about the cuff and collar buttons either!\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-8771 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/07_Bleeding_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_557923270_Africa-Studio-760x506-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"444\"' height='\"296\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/07_Bleeding_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_557923270_Africa-Studio-760x506-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><h3 class='\"listicle-h2\"'><strong>Don\u2019t forget a quick \u201cbleeding\u201d test\n<p class='\"listicle-para\"'>If you\u2019re worried about that new red shirt the first time you wash it, do this easy test to find out before a mess happens. Splash a little water on a discreet spot, then soak it up with a paper towel. If the color bleeds onto the towel, wash the clothing separately until the running stops.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-8772 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/08_Filter_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_163892063_tab62-760x506-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"390\"' height='\"260\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/08_Filter_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_163892063_tab62-760x506-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><h3 class='\"listicle-h2\"'><strong>Don\u2019t skip the filter and hose when clearing the lint trap\n<p class='\"listicle-para\"'>Empty the lint filter after every cycle, because lint buildup can clog the duct and become a fire hazard. It\u2019s also important to actually clean the filter about once a year. Scrub with a toothbrush dipped in detergent, then rinse and air-dry. Also, detach the hose from the back of the dryer about once a year (you\u2019ll know it\u2019s time when it takes more than an hour to dry a load), then snake a long brush through and push out lingering lint.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-8773 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/09_Stains_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_409503460_namtipStudio-760x506-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"383\"' height='\"255\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/09_Stains_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_409503460_namtipStudio-760x506-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><h3><strong>Don\u2019t scrub stains\n<p>You may think the best way to treat a stain is to give it elbow grease, vigorously scrubbing the stain with detergent. But that\u2019s not the best course of action, and it could even result in the stain spreading. Instead, gently dab the stain, working from the outside in. And, of course, the earlier you treat it, the more likely it is to go away.\n</p><h3><strong>Don\u2019t wash items that should be dry cleaned\n<p>If clothing has a \u201cdry clean\u201d label, proceed with caution. Some items don\u2019t actually need to be dry cleaned; if you\u2019re dealing with natural fibers, like linens and silks, it\u2019s probably safe to hand-wash them and let them air-dry. But for items like leather, suede, and \u201cstructured pieces\u201d (like blazers and suits), you\u2019ll probably want to obey that label.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-8775 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/alternatech.net%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/06%5C/10_Dry_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_617024009_Africa-Studio-760x506-2-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"411\"' height='\"274\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/10_Dry_Laundry-Mistakes-You-Didnt-Know-You-Were-Making_617024009_Africa-Studio-760x506-2-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"(max-width:'>\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"</p><p>Don\u2019t just sort lights and darks Separate very dirty or muddy clothes apart from lightly soiled pieces, and heavy or abrasive fabrics like denim from more delicate ones. (For denim, turn inside out, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, and dry at a low temperature to prevent fading.) To prevent sheets from twisting,\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8776,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[85,61,30,153,46,6,31,32],"class_list":{"0":"post-8765","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tie-life-style","8":"tag-cleaning-mistake","9":"tag-cleaning-tips","10":"tag-household-hacks","11":"tag-laundry-mistakes","12":"tag-life-hacks","13":"tag-life-style","14":"tag-tips","15":"tag-tricks"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Colorful-Pop-Tutorial-YouTube-Thumbnail-5.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8765"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8765\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justmetalking.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</p></strong></h3></strong></h3></strong></h3></strong></h3></strong></h3></strong></h3></strong></h3></strong></h3></strong></h3></strong></h3>