‘I’m a laundry expert - here are common mistakes you make which are ruining your clothes’
Laundry is often an overlooked task within the home, and many people do not realise that their laundry habits may be doing more harm than good to their clothing, according to an appliance expert.
Michael Forbes, product specialist from AEG, has debunked common laundry myths which could be ruining your clothing in the wash.
The first myth which Michael said is false is that using more laundry detergent means cleaner clothes.
The expert explained: “A common misconception is that adding more detergent to the wash will lead to cleaner clothes with 28 percent of Britons believing so.
“Whilst detergent is essential to help remove stains from clothing, too much detergent will actually create a layer on clothing helping to trap dirt rather than remove it, it can also cause staining on delicate items.
“Excess detergent can also damage the machine as it needs to work harder to remove the excess soap suds.”
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Always check the instructions of your chosen detergent to ensure you are using the correct amount for the loaf of laundry.
Liquid and powdered detergent should always be placed in the detergent drawer so they are added at the right time during the wash cycle, whilst pods should be put in the drum before any washing.
The expert added: “Just over a third of Britons believe that fabric softener should be added to every wash but this is not the case.
“Fabric softener should never be used for moisture-wicking fabrics, fabrics that are designed to pull moisture from the skin such as towels and sportswear, as they can cause a build-up on the surface of the item reducing their ability to to pick up moisture.
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“Fabric softener should also not be used on waterproof or water-resistant garments as it degrades the protection making them less water resistant.
“Rather than adding it to every wash cycle, it is recommended that it should be added once in a while after approximately five washes. This will prevent the texture of fabrics from degrading over time.”
Many people may also religiously separate white and dark clothing out of fear colours may run and stain each other.
However, it is more important to separate clothing by fabric, according to the expert. The four main categories include cotton fabrics, synthetic fabrics, woollen fabrics and delicate fabrics.
Washing machines also do not clean themselves despite them cleaning clothing, and they do need to be cleaned every so often.
The pros continued: “Despite 18 percent of Britons believing so, washing machines do not clean themselves.
“Whilst they help remove unwanted grime and dirt from our clothes, to ensure clothes come out clean every time it’s important washing machines receive the proper care.
“This is because the dirt that comes off our clothes combined with the detergent and softener we use can build up inside the machine. A maintenance wash should be done at least once a month to keep the machine in the best possible condition.
“A top tip to help keep it odour-free is to keep the door and detergent drawer open for a few hours after a wash to allow fresh air in and prevent odour build-up.”
