Like doing most chores, doing laundry often comes with many tricks and hacks to make it easier to do or to produce more clean clothes. These might be tips passed down from your friends and family or information that you found online. While some of them might have been useful, there are probably a few laundry hacks that are actually misconceptions and cause more or worsen problems instead.
That is why, in this article, we have compiled a list of common laundry and dry-cleaning myths to debunk them. From the right way to get rid of tough stains to the right water temperature of washing machines, you will be provided with expert tips to make your laundry and washing duties much easier.
4 Common Laundry Misconceptions Debunked
1. The amount of laundry detergent affects the cleanliness of the clothes
Since laundry detergent is designed to remove dirt such as germs and bacteria from clothes, many people believe that adding more detergent will make their clothes even cleaner. However, this is a misconception as adding more detergent will only create more soap residue that will cling to the clothing and require more washing to remove. This, in turn, weakens the fibres and reduces the longevity of the clothes. As a result, it is better to add the recommended amount of detergent for each wash load and wash your clothes more frequently to prevent dirt build-up, keep them hygienic, and maintain their shape.
2. Adding fabric softener is always important
While there are many advantages to using fabric softener such as ensuring that your clothes and bedsheets are soft, wrinkle-free, smell good, and produce less static, it can often cause more harm than good when used wrongly. Fabric softeners work by adding a lubricating coating to the fibres of clothing, which makes them soft and smooth. However, as this coating is a wax-like substance, fabric softener also increases a fabric’s water-resistant properties, which makes it not suitable for athletic wear and towels. As the coating can build up over time, it will make it even more difficult to clean such clothes. Subsequently, fabric softener should be used sparingly and not with clothes designed to absorb water. Alternatively, you can send your clothes to a laundry service as they will have experts who will not only make sure that your clothes are clean, but soft as well.
3. Adding bleach and laundry detergent at the same time
Most people use bleach in their laundry to lighten stains and brighten their clothes. However, they are frequently added at the same time as laundry detergent, which causes problems because they can actually cancel each other out, leaving clothes looking dull and stained. Instead, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes after adding laundry detergent to allow the detergent to do its job properly.
4. Hot water helps to improve the cleanliness of the laundry
While hot water can help kill germs and bacteria, it can also damage the structure of clothing, remove the dye, and even cause some stains to become permanent! As a result, advances in laundry and clothing technology have enabled most fabrics to be adequately washed in water temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius or lower. Furthermore, cold water consumes less energy than hot water, which contributes to lower utility bills. However, if you have clothes that have been dirtied by grease and oil, using a dry-cleaning service will be a better option instead. In general, cold water is still the best option for ensuring the cleanliness of your laundry.
Moving Forward
Although most people consider laundry to be a simple task, doing it well can be difficult. In fact, most of the misconceptions addressed in this article have good intentions because the goal is to achieve fresh and clean clothes in the end. While the tips in this article will help you develop better laundry habits, it is sometimes necessary to entrust your laundry needs to professionals. At The Laundry Club SG, we are dedicated to providing our clients with affordable laundry and dry-cleaning services backed by more than 20 years of experience. Contact us today to learn more.
Comments