Laundry is one of the tasks I dread, mostly because I am currently stuck handwashing items due to an issue with my washer. I have teamed up with Sam from Deal.Town to bring you these tips to make laundry less dreadful!
April 15th marks National Laundry Day – an awareness day for assessing our laundry habits and teaching our children to develop good ones.
Unfortunately, the financial costs of doing laundry can soon begin to pile up, especially if you have a large family.
Fortunately, Sam Whillance, a discounts expert at Deal.Town has shared five money tips people can do when washing and ironing clothes ahead of National Laundry Day 2023.
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Always use stain remover before a wash
There is nothing worse than taking an item of clothing out of the washing machine after a long cycle, only to see the stain still there. Therefore, before putting any stained items through the washing machine, always remember stain remover. If it is a stain from a beverage, whether it be tea, coffee, soft drinks, or wine, start by sponging or soaking the area in cool water. Then, pretreat with either prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, or create a paste using powder laundry product and water. This will prevent you from having to put the same items through the wash again, causing you to use more energy.
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Wash at 77°F / 25°C
The cooler the setting on the washing machine, the less energy the cycle will use. Alongside prepping your stained clothes with remover, a 25°C / 77°F wash can in fact be extremely effective.
Researchers at the University of Leeds found that clothes that are washed at 25°C on a 30-minute cycle shed fewer microfibres into wastewater and keep their color for longer.
People have been encouraged for years to wash their clothes on a colder cycle, and according to the Energy Savings Trust, washing clothing at 20°C instead of 40°C can save around 66% of the energy used for a full load.
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Spritz with wrinkle-releasing product
Wrinkle-releasing products can help release any creases in your clothes and keep them in good condition. When clothes or towels dry without any moisture, they will go hard and crusty, not to mention this will damage the microfibres, and eventually, you will have to replace them.
Fortunately, you can make your own wrinkle-releasing product at home. Simply fill a spray bottle with two small cups of water, one teaspoon of hair conditioner, and one tablespoon of white vinegar. Then shake vigorously and spray onto your clothes until they are slightly damp, but not completely soaked. Then run your hands over the items, stretching and pulling the fabric until the wrinkles release.
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Hang your clothes in the airing cupboard
Your airing cupboard is warm, which means it can be used to dry clothes. Delicates are also fine to involve here, and this is particularly good for long dresses, shirts, and trousers that sit easily on hangers, simply hang items up and leave them to dry out.
It is important to note here not to leave clothes that are too wet, as you want to avoid the risk of any dripping water coming in contact with electricals. Try to partly air dry clothes out on an airer before moving to the airing cupboard.
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Press with a towel
Put your creased item on a flat surface and then place a damp towel over the top. The dampness of the towel will easily eliminate any creases in the clothes. Press until you are happy the creases are gone, and then hang up to dry, whether that’s over a shower rail, an airer, or on the line to dry out. Note that this trick works best with delicate garments, so if you are planning to wear a posh dress for a night out, try to pre-plan this method the night before as it can be fairly time-consuming.