Simple Solutions #5

Today I have easy, no cost solutions to some of the common problems that occur when doing your laundry.  These are tried and true answers with my reasoning for the problems so you can understand why they work and how they save you time , money and frustration.

#9 Less stress on your laundry days

 Unexplainable spots on clothing, etc. after it comes out of washer/dryer

I am not referring to that oops moment when you realize that one of the articles being washed was not color safe and bled over lighter color clothing. I have yet to learn of a simple solution for that.

However, there is another problem, I can help you with. When doing a load of laundry, some of the clothes (but not all, usually) gain mysterious lighter splotches or spots on them that were not there before they were washed.

The most common cause of these new stains is that laundry detergent or additives are not being diluted with enough water before it comes in contact with the articles being washed.   Many people add the detergent first, start the water, then immediately put the clothes in. Parts of the bottom layer of articles are coming in direct contact with the full, or close to, full strength of the laundry chemicals, undiluted.  Or, just as harmful, the full-strength detergent and/or additive is added once all the clothes are loaded into the washer.  The top layer of articles has yet to be covered with enough water and those non diluted parts are susceptible to the caustic reaction of the full-strength chemicals.

The simple solution is to make sure that the laundry detergent and/or additive has been diluted by enough water before loading in the wash.

Cracking, color fading of the graphic artwork on t-shirts and washable articles with screen printing

Many of us buy t-shirts with graphic artwork of favorite bands, breweries, logos, and clever sayings on them.  After laundering them a few times, we notice both fading color and crack lines appearing in the graphic design portion of the clothing.  The artwork continues to decay with each wash.

The cause of this breakdown is threefold: Friction, water temperature and heat.

The friction is caused by the t-shirt’s design rubbing on other things also being washed or dried with it.  The design’s color fading is usually caused by using warm or hot water when washing. The dryer’s heat loosens the adhesive backing of the artwork, leading to its’ cracking and lifting up.

The best solution is to only handwash graphic design clothing in cold water and hang it to dry.  Most of us will shun this answer as too much work in our busy lives.

The alternative easy solution for retarding the design damage still allows you to use your washer and dryer.

First, but most importantly, simply turn the garment inside out before washing or drying, This limits direct abrasive rubbing of the design area with other clothes being laundered. Then, wash the article in cold water to lessen color fading. Lastly, dry on delicate heat to severely reduce any cracking or loss of the artwork’s adhesion.

I have practiced this for years with great results.

Not sure newly purchased clothing, towels, linens have bugs

If the fabric temperature directions allow, the easiest way to allay your fears is to simply put them in the dryer on regular to high heat for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Heat will kill the bugs.

Shorten dry time

You can save time and money when drying loads of most laundered items. Simply putting them through a second spin cycle in the washer before drying them.

The spin cycle of a washer forces moisture out of the washed laundry.  By double-spinning clothes, towels, blankets, etc. more water is removed. This is especially true for bulky items such as towels and blankets.

I have saved up to 15 minutes drying time per load. You save money because most of us have electric dryers. The heating cycle on your dryer uses more utility energy than the washer’s spinning cycle.

Less wrinkled clothes out of the dryer

Most wrinkles are created in our  clothes and other articles by the spin cycle of the washer. Many of us quickly gather an armful of the washed items from the washer and throw them helter-skelter into the dryer. This causes the articles entering the dryer to be even more bunched and creased, reducing the benefits of fabric softener. Also, quick removal of the load once the dryer cycle has ended will reduce wrinkles, as well.

You can help the  de-wrinkling process by simply snap shaking each article before placing it in the dryer. This eliminates the bunching and firm creases, giving the finished product a smoother appearance.