You may want to learn how to wash your clothes instead of buying new socks when you run out.If you don't know how to wash your clothes, you could end up spending a lot of money on new socks every week.You'll be washing and drying in no time if you follow the steps.
Step 1: Your clothes should be sorted into piles.
There are two things to keep in mind when washing clothes, the color of the clothes and the material they are made out of.There are different levels of tumbling and water pressure that fabrics can handle.Light and dark clothes are separated.Older clothes have a more faded color than bright, new clothes, because some of the dye used on the fabric will run out when you wash your clothes.All colored clothes that are not white, cream, or pale should be put in the dark pile.If you don't separate, your bright blue shirt could make your white clothes blue.You should separate your clothes based on the fabrics they are made out of.Some fabrics, like denim or thick cloth, need to be washed on a heavier wash cycle than your silky lingerie.You should separate your clothes by the wash cycle they are meant to be washed in.
Step 2: Look at the care tag on your clothes.
The cloth tags aren't just sewn into clothes to make your neck itch when they rub against your skin, they're actually there to help guide you through the washing process.When unsure about how to wash an item, check the tag.The care tags tell you how to wash and dry the item.Some clothes need to be dry cleaned or washed by hand.The care tag will tell you if it's necessary.
Step 3: You should know the water temperature.
Some fabrics and colors require different levels of heat to be washed, so washing machines have different temperature settings.Semi-automatic and automatic machines have different settings.Light colors that are dirty should be bathed in hot water.The stains will be scalded by the heat.Cold water reduces the amount of dye that runs from these clothes, so your clothes won't fade as fast when you use cold water.Cotton items are less likely to shrink when washed in cold water.
Step 4: Know what load you want to use.
Most washing machines have a knob that you must turn to select the right size for the amount of clothing you have.If one-third of the machine is full, you should select small.If you fill up the whole machine, you should select large.If you want to fit more in, don't put clothes down.If you run another load with your extra clothes, you could risk damaging the machine or jamming it.
Step 5: Know what washing cycle to use.
Different kinds of clothing require different levels of washing, so washing machines have different types of cycles.When washing white clothes, select this cycle.It will leave your items fresh and crisp.You can use this for your colored clothes.Your colors look bright when you use warm and cooler water in this cycle.Anything that is relatively delicate (bras, dry-fit wear, cotton sweaters, dress shirts, etc.) is delicate.Make sure that your delicates don't require you to wash or dry them.
Step 6: Close the door if you add the right washing fluid.
There are detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners in washing fluid.If you want to add your clothes, fill the washer with water, add the washing fluid, and then add them, you can either do that.The amount of detergent you put in your washing machine is determined by your load.The cups that have marked off amounts are usually detergent lids.For a small load, 23 of the cup should be filled with detergent, followed by a full cup for a large load.Some detergents are more concentrated than others so you don't need to use as much.When you want to get tough stains out of clothes or want your whites to be really, really white, bleach is used.There are two types of bleach.If you want to make your whites white, you should never use chlorine bleach on colored fabric.It is possible to use all-fabric bleach on colored fabrics.During the rinse cycle, fabric softener can be added.When you start the wash cycle, some machines will add the softener to the rinse cycle at the right time.
Step 7: Pick the right cycle for your clothes to be put in the dryer.
Some clothes should be air dried.Hang these items somewhere they can dry if the tag says not to dry them.The dryer has settings that you have to wade through to dry your clothes.Close the door with a dryer sheet.White clothes are best dried on the heavy setting.White clothes are generally pre-shrunk and can handle the more intense and higher heat drying system.The permanent press is better for regular colored clothes.The heat and pressure make sure that your clothes don't fade.The clothes that you washed should be dried on the delicate setting.The setting uses close to room temperature air and slow cycle so that no damage comes to your delicates.
Step 8: Put water in a bucket.
A large bucket is usually filled with one to two gallons of water.You can use a plugged sink if you don't have a bucket.Make sure the sink is plugged in and that the water is warm.
Step 9: A mild detergent should be added.
This isn't the same detergent you would use in a washer machine.Hand-wash only clothes will feel grimy because regular detergent is too concentrated.You can purchase delicate detergent in the same isle as regular detergent, just make sure it says mild or delicate on the bottle.
Step 10: You should dip your clothes in the water.
If you wish them through the water, they will be fully saturated.Allow them to sit for a while so that they fully absorb the detergent.
Step 11: It's time to clean your clothes.
Warm, clean water is what you should use to wash your clothes.Under the faucet, you can run your clothes one at a time.The water that runs off of the clothes is clean if you rinse them.
Step 12: Let your clothes dry.
If you hang them to dry, they could stretch.Lay the clothes flat to dry.This will ensure that they don't stretch, and reduce the amount of wrinkling that occurs in the drying process.