How to wash: from the basics to mastery
A neat appearance is a guarantee not only of your well-being, but also of the correct perception of you by others. It is not necessary to dress stylishly and expensively. The main thing is that everything should be presentable. In this article, we will talk about how to carefully care for clothes, wash them so that things are clean and serve for a long time.
How to wash in a machine?
Before you start washing things, you should pay attention to a number of nuances:
- Be sure to separate items. Each thing has a certain color, material, which must be washed in different conditions. First of all, select light and dark things. They should never be washed together. Keep in mind that new clothes may have some paint coming off. If you wash everything together, then items that have light tones may stain.
- Divide products depending on the fabric. Thicker items such as jeans will need to be washed on one cycle, while underwear and silk blouses on another.
- Do not wash towels and sheets at the same time. It is better to do it separately to achieve an excellent result.
- Do not be too lazy to look at the label that is on your favorite thing. He will tell you how to wash properly. All the necessary data about the product will be indicated there: composition, the possibility of cleaning, how to properly iron and dry. There you can also see if the item can be washed in the machine or only by hand.
- It is important to choose the right temperature for the procedure for cleaning fabrics from contamination. In washing machines, it will be enough to set the necessary indicators based on the color, material and other features of the products. It is worth remembering that different things are washed at different water temperatures. For example, hot water will help to effectively remove stains on light-colored clothes. It is better to wash dark products in cool water so that the paint does not wash out. Also, cold water will be optimal for cotton models.
- If you are machine washing, you will need to select the load size. There is a special button for this. In some cases, the machine independently determines the volume. You should not stuff it to failure. If you have a lot of things, then it is better to divide them into several washings. Neglecting this rule, you can ruin the technique.
- Don't forget to select a wash cycle. It will be different for different clothes. So, for example, for white things, it is recommended to select the normal mode. There is a special cycle for colored laundry, where the cleansing process takes place in warm water, and rinsing in cold. For thin items (panties, bras, thin T-shirts) there is a delicate mode.
- Now you can pour in a liquid substance to wash off the dirt, and close the hatch of the machine. These can be detergents, bleach, softener. Put the items in the appliance, and then pour out the detergent. Often on the compartment you can see how much substance is needed.At the same time, carefully read the instructions on the packaging of the product. There will be exactly the required amount for washing.
- If you want to remove stains, you will need bleach. It will also help to make products boiling white. Such substances are with the addition of chlorine or universal. In the first case, it is not recommended to use the product with colored things.
- To make the fabric softer, you need to apply a softener. This is especially true for towels. Such a substance must be added during rinsing. Often, machines have special compartments where you can pour a softener. The technique itself will begin to add it when rinsing.
- Then you should load everything into the dryer. Remember that some items are best left to air dry. Before that, look at the tag. Special symbols will indicate to you how the thing should dry properly. Dryers also have drying cycles. Normal mode is suitable for drying light products. Often, white things tolerate the drying process well at high temperatures, they do not fade or shrink.
Thanks to the "Easy Iron" cycle, your colored items will retain their brightness, color and saturation. With the delicate mode, the rotations will be gentle so that delicate things remain intact.
Thus, in the washing machine you can wash sweatpants, a hat, shirts, a backpack, trousers, a men's suit, as well as other important things for you, including children's underwear. It is only important to set the desired mode of operation and follow all the rules of machine washing. Then the technique will allow you to save precious minutes that you can spend on more important things.
Modes
It is worth noting that in the program of each modern washing machine there are special modes with which you can successfully wash any thing. The highest temperature is suitable for cotton products. Such clothes can even be boiled to cope well with pollution. If you need to wash delicate fabrics, such as underwear, then you should prefer the special “delicate wash” mode. The same will apply to woolen products. After the end of the cycle, turn off the spin mode.
For those products that are not too dirty, you can set the “quick wash” mode. This will save you precious minutes, as well as electricity and water. The result of the cleansing will also please you. If you have the task of washing children's things, then you can choose a special mode "Bio", "Children's things" or "Hand wash". By the way, it is the latter option that is the most effective option for eliminating stains.
Temperature
Washing water will be mainly such as is required for the product. The surest way to find out the desired water temperature is to look at the tag. It contains all the basic information. If there is no tag, or you have already cut it off, then you should look at the type of fabric. Products that are made from natural fabrics (cotton, linen) require washing at any temperature that is comfortable for you. Such models will well endure the entire procedure and will not be deformed. Bed linen should be soaked in hot water first.
If you need to clean by washing wool and silk, it is better to use a temperature of 30-40 degrees. It is worth remembering that it is better not to squeeze things. Let them drain on their own. Cool water is also suitable for things made of viscose.It should not be more than 30 degrees. Synthetic fabrics perfectly tolerate temperatures of 40-50 degrees. Combined products should also be washed with the same water.
Handwash
At home, it is important to learn how to properly wash various things: clothes, T-shirts, blankets and others. First you need to prepare all the necessary items and products that you will need in order to put things in order. Take a basin and fill it with water. Its volume should be approximately 20 liters. Fill the basin to 10 liters. If it is more convenient for you, then you can use the sink, having previously closed the drain. After making sure that the water does not leak, fill the sink with warm water.
Now you should add your chosen dirt cleanser. Remember that the substances used for hand washing will be different from those used for machine washing. For washing by hand, detergents with a high concentration are not suitable.
In every supermarket where there are household chemicals, you can buy the products you need in order to wash your clothes. It is important to carefully study the packaging and see what application they are intended for.
Now you should soak the selected things. Laundry should be moved in the water so that it gets wet. Also, experts recommend leaving things in the basin for a while so that they absorb the detergent and wash even better. Then it will be possible to proceed directly to the process of washing by hand. After removing all the dirt, you should proceed to the rinsing stage. To do this, pour clean water, it is desirable that it be warm.
You can also rinse items under running tap water. However, this method is not suitable for zealous and economical housewives.Rinse the soap thoroughly out of things. After this procedure, you can already proceed to drying the products.
It is not recommended to hang things as they can stretch. It is better to carefully lay them out on a flat surface. So you will not only preserve the appearance, for example, of your favorite T-shirt, but also will not see on it those folds that would have formed when dried on a rope.
Of course, hand washing is a lot of work. Do not rush through this process. Be sure to wash the products well, and also rinse out detergents.
What can be done to remove stubborn stains?
Many have come across a situation where various stains from food, paints and other things appear on things. Of course, if you have recently soiled a thing, then you can quickly soak it, wash it and effectively get rid of the dirt. However, this is not always possible. For old, stubborn stains, stronger products are needed to remove the dirt. In order to successfully deal with the problem and wash the places of pollution, you should first determine the composition of such a stain and its origin. So you will choose the right reagents and cope with the task.
There are several groups into which all such spots can be divided.
- The first includes fatty - prints from a variety of vegetable oils, wax, cosmetics. Their boundaries are indefinite, and over time, the spot loses its luster and becomes light.
- The organic group includes red wine, berries, blood, herbs. They have sharper edges.
- And finally, traces of rust, which pollute the thing with peculiar stains.
Once you've figured out how to create old pollution, you should do a little experiment. Be sure to test the substance that will help to do this before you start getting rid of the stain.. To do this, select an inconspicuous piece of fabric on the back of the product and apply the product there. The unchanged structure of the fabric indicates that the stain removal procedure can begin.
To eliminate greasy spots, place the item face down on a firm surface. Under it, be sure to put a piece of clean white gauze, which is folded into layers. Pour half a cup of warm water over the stain before applying the solvent. Now take a cotton swab and soak it in a mixture of salt, ammonia, gasoline or turpentine. Rub this mixture on the desired area. Now you should wait fifteen minutes, take a toothbrush, and actively rub the stain. This is done in a circular motion from its edges to the middle. After such a procedure, it is worth rinsing the clothes under running water, then washing with any powder. If there is such a need, then the cleaning method can be repeated.
As for organic stains, there are various ways to extract them. For example, contamination from blood or eggs can be removed with a hydrogen peroxide solution or salt. You should soak the area where the contamination is in warm water, sprinkle it with salt or pour a solution of hydrogen peroxide. Then the product should not be touched for several hours, and then washed with any means.
Eliminate chocolate marks ammonia will help you. Soak the desired item in the solution (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water) for half an hour. The final step will be cleansing with soap.
As for rust stains, remove them effectively with acidic products.. These will include oxalic, citric, tartaric, acetic acids. You should create a working solution by taking 5 tablespoons of any acid and mixing it with a glass of hot water. Pour the resulting substance into the area of \u200b\u200bthe product where the stain is located. Leave everything for twenty minutes, rub the problem areas with a toothbrush. Cleaned clothes should be washed in warm water with any soap or powder.
The juice from the pomegranate is derived using elementary actions. Pour boiling water over the desired area (suitable for those products that are not afraid of the critical temperature), and then wash the item in warm water. You can use another option. Wet this place with ammonia, and then rinse the clothes. Actively removes pomegranate stains and soda solution.
Rinse the desired areas with it, and leave the item until the stain is removed. Then wash in warm water. If pomegranate juice spilled on silk products, then it is better to use a 1: 10 vinegar solution, rub the stain and wash.
Which remedy is more effective?
It is impossible to say unequivocally which tool is best to wash. Everything will depend on the fabric of clothing, color, as well as a number of other nuances. For example, for washing by hand, it is worth choosing a powder that does not contain aggressive components. Such a tool will help not only to effectively remove dirt, but will also be gentle on your hands. You should wait until the substance is completely dissolved in water, and then you can place the thing, start the washing procedure.
You can use gel. This liquid substance dissolves quite quickly in water - this is an undoubted advantage of the product.
This is especially important for items that require hand washing at low temperatures.After all, the powder in cold water dissolves longer than in warm water.
A proven and ancient method is to get rid of dirt with laundry soap. Such a substance is perfectly able to wash off the most difficult pollution, it is gentle on the skin of the hands, without causing allergies.
It will be important to use such a product for underwear, because it comes into direct contact with the skin.
There is also a special oxygen bleach that is used to remove stains from fabric. It will help to effectively eliminate any organic contaminants, while the color of the laundry will be preserved. It is worth remembering that oxygen bleach is for white and colored laundry. This should be taken into account when choosing a tool.
Chlorine bleach. This option will be optimal only for white linen and natural fabrics. It will help remove dullness and various stains. At the same time, it is worth remembering that such a bleach is quite aggressive, and chlorine vapors are harmful. This remedy should only be used when absolutely necessary.
Recommendations for different fabrics
In order for your clothes to always look presentable, stylish and not lose their properties, you should be careful about the material from which the products are made. This will depend on the care of this or that clothing.
Linen and light fabrics, which include cotton, are best washed at a temperature of 90-95 degrees. Such products are squeezed out at maximum speed. Colored cotton items are best washed at a temperature of no more than 60 degrees. You can also wring out products at maximum speed.
It is worth remembering that artificial fabrics such as lavsan, lycra, acrylic cannot be washed with substances that contain alkali. Be sure to look at the composition of the powder or soap. There should be no sodium carbonate.
Natural silk, wool and other animal fabrics should not be washed with enzymes that break down proteins. It is better to choose special means so that your clothes serve you for a long time.
If the fabric has an unstable color, then it is better to set the temperature, which does not exceed 30 degrees. The spin mode will depend on the material.
Products on sheepskin should preferably be washed by hand using special products. This should be done in warm, but not hot water. However, there are some products that are not suitable for washing. In any case, you should first look at the product label to make sure that your intentions are correct.
As for such fabric as a synthetic winterizer, such things are well washed in a typewriter. They do not deform, do not lose their quality. In this case, it is better to set the delicate mode for synthetics, and then create an intense rinse. Regular powder will be an excellent replacement for liquid products.
Such products should be dried in natural conditions, not forgetting to turn them over.
Hollofiber can be cleaned in a machine at a temperature that does not exceed 60 degrees. Do not use spin mode when doing this. To remove dirt, powders are usually used, but adding conditioner is not recommended. To dry the product well, it must be straightened and laid on a flat surface. Don't forget to shake things up sometimes.
Microfiber can be cleaned in the machine with normal mode. The water should be warm - 60 degrees. After cleaning, ironing is optional.
Wash your terry bathrobe at 60 degrees.You should put the thing in the machine, while not forgetting to separate household items from others.
But viscose does not tolerate high temperatures. Therefore, the water should be no more than 30 degrees.
Velvet models require reverent handling. In this case, the fabric should first be cleaned of dust, crumbs and other dirt. It is best to wash clothes made of such material by hand. Place the product in a basin, half fill it with warm water. Soap solution is added first. The walls of the product should be rubbed against each other - the dirt is removed with a special sponge, which has a foam surface.
After the end of the procedure, do not diligently wring out the product. Moisture should dry itself as a result of drying in a natural way. This will reduce the possibility of damage to the product.
If you nevertheless dared to wash such things in washing equipment, then you need to do this exclusively in the delicate wash mode. It is strictly forbidden to wring out clothes, otherwise the thing will deteriorate, losing its original qualities.
Features of cleaning white and colored linen
We have already figured out that light and colored linen should be washed separately. This is done in order to preserve the color and texture of the product. Of course, white tones and things that are made in this shade look quite attractive. However, these items often get dirty quickly. For example, it could be your favorite white socks. There are several ways to properly care for such things, keeping them white for a long time.
To begin with, such products should be soaked for a certain time in a special solution, which is made from boric acid. Preparing it is pretty easy.You should take a tablespoon of the substance and dilute it in one liter of warm liquid. After an hour, it is worth rinsing the products thoroughly, and then sending them to the machine or cleaning them by hand. The mode should be set for a complete wash of cotton. The water should be around 40 or 60 degrees.
There is another way to eliminate pollution on white things. You should use lemon. Lemon juice will help bleach the fabric, return it to its former whiteness. Socks should be loaded into a bowl of warm water. Add a couple of drops of juice. Let the socks be soaked in the basin for a while. Then it will be possible to wash the products by hand.
You can also squeeze the juice of a lemon directly onto the stained area, and then rub in powder or bleach for whites. In the process of rinsing, you can add half a cup of baking soda to the machine.
Remember that whites require more frequent washing than other colors. It is best to do this after every wear.
Important rules include the fact that you should not wash white linen with black. Otherwise, you can pull out your favorite t-shirt or other things that have been dyed blue. Of course, in order to properly whiten the product, it is worth using the appropriate tool. With frequent use of chlorine bleach, the fibers will become thin and the products will tear. To avoid this, follow a number of rules:
- Before you start washing, you need to make the water soft. It is worth adding a couple of tablespoons of baking soda to the liquid.
- Soak items in advance in soapy water or powder.
- It is important to determine the correct washing mode. Zealous housewives think that white items are washed exclusively with hot water, while others say that they are washed with cold water.The truth is that you should use warm water to effectively deal with dirt, while not harming your favorite things.
- For those who prefer to wash white things with their own hands, you should know that you should first do it in warmer water, and then in cool water.
- Another secret of white products is natural drying under direct sunlight.
Of course, white and colored items should be washed separately.
If by chance it happened that the white linen turned dark, do not be upset right away. Send the product for an additional procedure where powder and bleach are applied. If this does not fix the situation, make a special solution. It is worth dialing 5 liters of water into a bucket of iron. Add 100 ml of peroxide and 10 ml of ammonia there. Now you should put the right thing, put everything on the stove and boil for 15 minutes. Fire should be kept to a minimum. After the laundry has cooled down, rinse it thoroughly.
It is possible not to use boiling. It is worth diluting 10 ml of ammonia in 5 liters of water, and leaving things in the liquid for 60 minutes. Then it is worth unscrewing the products, then sending them to the washing machine. The mode should be set to intensive.
As for black underwear. Such products also require special care. It is important that the model does not lose its original shade. First of all, it is worth turning the clothes inside out and using a low temperature for washing - 40 degrees. For delicate fabrics, set to 30 degrees. Models are washed more efficiently if you load them into the drum in a small volume.
To preserve the saturation of the shade, it is recommended to hold the thing in a saline solution before the procedure, adding a small part of the vinegar, for 1 hour.
There are also special products that are intended specifically for washing black items. They must be liquid. These powders will not contribute to white streaks and are easy to rinse out.
Before you start the process of washing colored laundry, you should make sure that there are no stains on it. If you find them, then it is better to start removing them first. Before you load a thing into the washing machine, be sure to turn it inside out. A powder specially designed for colored fabrics should be used. Everything will be written on the package. Drying such products is also the wrong side. So the colors will always remain saturated and will not fade. The maximum water temperature is 60 degrees.
If you decide to clean colored underwear, then you should carefully select the products. It is worth using clothes similar in shade, but it is better to postpone very colorful things. It is also necessary to lay in the machine, having previously turned inside out. Do not dry multi-colored products in the bright sun.
In order for the fabric to retain its brilliance, you can use special conditioners for colored linen.
What things are contraindicated in soaking?
Before soaking products, they are initially separated, based on the type of fabric, pollution. Set aside cotton and linen options, chemical fiber models, wool, silk, knitwear options. The procedure takes place in wooden, galvanized or enameled containers. Products must be covered with liquid. If it doesn't cover the fabric enough, then dirt can accumulate in certain areas, and then it will be even more difficult to wash the item. Washing powder take half as much as when washing.
Ideally, you should keep in the liquid for at least two hours, and the temperature of the solution should be about 30 degrees.
Options from silk, woolen, colored fabrics cannot be soaked for a very long time. Not all things are allowed to soak. To do this, you should carefully study what is written on the product tag. Certain tissues respond well to this process, and some do not tolerate it well.
Soaking is ideal for thick fabrics and durable materials. But for delicate models, it is better to apply friction. You need to be extremely careful with soaking the wool.
Helpful Hints
We have looked at possible ways to keep your products clean. And finally, a few tips:
- Before you put the product in the washing machine or in a basin of water, be sure to check all pockets. This is especially true of pants, jackets, where there can often be forgotten items, money or even mobile phones. So you not only do not spoil the thing, but also your mood, as well as washing equipment.
- The washing process must be efficient. Do not leave things in the washing machine for more than a day. They just wither and deteriorate. It is better to immediately pull out all the products and dry them, and ideally also stroke and put them on the shelf.
- Be sure to separate clothes by color, and wash such items separately. If you live with people you know, you can arrange a laundry day together. For example, it will be convenient for everyone to load only red things into the machine and wash them. This joint washing will save time, money and nerves.
- If you are washing a new thing for the first time, then you should also do it separately several times from other things, unless, of course, you have a similar color of products.
- When you wash the shiny cuffs, collar, then you should use special tools.
- Before loading all products into the washer, check if they are shedding. To do this, wet a small area of the fabric with warm water and rub it with a light cloth. If the material does not stain, then you can proceed to the cleaning process.
- In order to prevent pockets and buttonholes on knitwear and knitwear from stretching out, they must be sewn up before the cleaning process. After the product dries, you can open the seam.
- Do not wash more than 1 pair of jeans at a time. Such things will take up a lot of space and overload the machine.
- Be especially careful when mixing different substances. Do not mix detergent/powder with other chemicals. For example, do not mix bleach with ammonia - poisonous gas will be released.
- Woolen models are best washed without direct soaking.
- Before washing, it is worth testing the fabric so that it does not sit down unexpectedly for you. To do this, take a piece of it, keep it in warm water for half an hour, and then dry it on cardboard. If the material did not shrink, then you can proceed to the process of cleaning the product.
- Terry towels or bathrobes will be fluffy after the cleaning process if you first dip them in water that is slightly salty, and then rinse them well, but do not iron them.
- Do not rub flannel fabric with soap. To wash them well, create a soapy solution, add 1 tablespoon of glycerin to 10 liters of water.
- If you want to wash a skirt with multiple pleats, then before the procedure you need to sweep it with wide stitches. So it will be easier for you to iron the product.
- Do not actively rub and squeeze out models from chemical fibers. Periodically clean them, do not allow strong dirt.
The thing will exude aroma if you add toilet soap to the water where you are going to boil.
- If you want to dry products in the cold, add vinegar to the water. So the products will acquire an attractive sheen, and will not freeze to the rope. It will also be good to rub the rope with a cloth soaked in warm baking soda or salt.
- There are certain nuances of the correct soaking of products. Shirts made from pure cotton or synthetics should be pre-soaked. But woolen and silk fabrics are not soaked. Facilitate and simplify the procedure of cleansing warm water. Add powder or salt to everything. Do not collect white and multi-colored linen in a single substance.
- Pillowcases and duvet covers should be turned out before this procedure. Also, recently purchased printed chintz items will shed less when additionally soaked in cool salted water.
- As for thin and dilapidated things, they should be washed by hand. If you have a felted knitwear, then you should rinse it in water, adding three tablespoons of ammonia for every 10 liters. Hold the model in such a substance for exactly a day. Then it is also worth rinsing it, wrapping it in a terry towel and drying it, laying it out on the table.
If your laundry is very dirty, then it can be soaked twice. First, this is done in a warm solution of soda and soap. After the laundry is rinsed and again soaked in the same substance, but the water should be quite hot. After a few hours, the laundry can be boiled.
Now you know how to properly wash things.Remember that you can not put colored and white laundry in the same bowl together or load into the machine. Also carefully study the composition of the fabric before you start getting rid of stains and dirt. If you take care of each item, then it will serve you for a long time.
For information on how to use a washing machine and other subtleties of washing, see below.