Washing is not as easy and simple as it seems at first glance. And any stylist, fashion influencer and hopeless fashionista knows this. After all, if you want your favorite item to serve faithfully for more than one season, be kind enough not only to skillfully take photos for social networks, but also to take care of it. And we are talking not only about storage, but also about washing.
We are almost sure that every second reader of this material has encountered a fiasco with the code name “someone stole all my summer clothes again.” Therefore, we can safely state that the ability to wash correctly (so that the color, size or shape of things does not change) is the highest skill that not everyone can do.
Today we propose to dot all the i’s and figure out how to wash things so that they do not spoil. Here is a seven-point maintenance guide you should follow.
Stage No. 1. Sort by colors and fabric types
Before you start washing, it is important to sort your laundry correctly according to color and fabric type. Light colored laundry is washed separately from dark colored laundry to prevent stains and color loss. This will not only prevent accidental staining but also increase washing efficiency. The same applies to the type of fabric – cotton items should be separated from linen items, woolen items from silk.
Stage No. 2. Preparation
Before washing, zip up and button up to prevent damage. Check your pockets for items that could damage your belongings or your car. If necessary, soak the items in water and mild detergent, especially if they are very dirty. Pay attention to the use of special laundry bags. This is an inexpensive and very useful device designed for high-quality packaging of laundry during washing. Thanks to these bags, clothes will be protected from various damages such as loss of shape.
Step #3: Using the right detergent
Choosing the right product plays an important role in the washing process. Different fabrics require different types of detergents, so it’s important to choose them carefully. The choice of detergent depends on the type of fabric and soiling. For white laundry, gels containing bleach are suitable, and for colored laundry, powder with the corresponding Color inscription is suitable.
It is also worth using fabric softener to give things a pleasant smell and softness. The main thing is not to mix the powders, because if you choose the wrong product, the product may lose its original color or simply shrink, as some products contain bleaching components or can be too aggressive for certain types of fabrics.
Stage No. 4. Washing mode and water temperature
Water temperature plays an important role during washing. Linen laundry should be washed at high temperatures, while wool and silk should be washed at low temperatures. Before starting the process, check the labels for the optimum temperature for each type of laundry. This will prevent shrinkage and preserve the color of the fabric. If the label is not protected, it is worth remembering a few rules. First: Colored laundry cannot be washed at high temperatures as they may lose their original color (the most suitable temperature for washing colored laundry is 30 and 40 °C). Second: Do not wash cotton and synthetic laundry at 90 °C, as the laundry is likely to shrink. Third: If you often wash clothes at high temperatures, the fibers of the fabric quickly break down and your favorite wardrobe item may tear.
Stage No. 5. Choosing the right program in the washing machine
All modern washing machines have a large number of programs designed for different types of fabric. For example, it is recommended to choose more gentle spin modes and washing programs for delicate laundry. To set the right mood, you just need to look at the composition of the thing.
Stage No. 6. Rotate mode
The rotation mode also plays an important role, so you should not set it randomly. Remember a simple rule: the thinner and more delicate the material, the lower the revolutions per minute. For example, fine silk should be spun at 400-600 rpm. 800-900 rpm is ideal for cotton and synthetics, as in this mode the fabric is dehydrated to the maximum extent without being damaged. However, at 1000 rpm you can thoroughly spin jeans, towels or bathrobes.
Stage No. 7. Drying
Proper drying is the last (but not least) important aspect of caring for items. For example, cotton and synthetic laundry can be dried on a line or hanger, but laundry made of wool and cashmere can be dried strictly in a horizontal position (we have described how to care for your favorite sweaters in a separate article).
If we talk about the types of things, then blouses and shirts should be dried on a hanger, trousers – on special pegs, shirts and combinations – on hangers, T-shirts – either on a rope or on a hanger. By the way, you should not dry the last item “upside down”, as the item may deform, taking on a trapezoidal shape.
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Source: People Talk
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
