COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID WHILE DOING YOUR LAUNDRY WITH A WASHING MACHINE (PART 1)

You may probably think you have mastered how to use your washing machine perfectly by now; conversely, sometimes your laundry comes out poorly washed or with an unpleasant odor. On top of that, your washing machine may be breaking down regularly, and you don’t really understand why. Here are some mistakes that may be the root cause of all those issues mentioned above that you must avoid while washing your clothes. Here are few mistakes to avoid when doing your laundry next time. 

Mistake #1 – Removing labels from your clothes or not paying attention to the instructions

If your clothes come with labels, there’s a good reason for that. Although the label may irritate your skin, please try not to remove them, specially care & content labels, because they have valuable information about the washing instructions of your fabrics and need your full attention.

In addition to telling, you whether your clothes can be put in the washing machine, the labels remind you about the exact temperature to use in washing the selected fabric. It also tells you if your washed clothes can be ironed, air dried, thrown in the dryer and at what temperature. In summary, care labels are precious, and the best thing is to always keep them.  

Mistake #2 – Putting too much detergent in your washing machine: 

People tend to believe that the more detergent they put in their laundry, the cleaner it will come out of the machine, but it’s wrong! In addition to being bad for your skin, using too much detergent can damage your washing machine and cause it to overflow until your floor is covered in foams. So, put only the amount of detergent needed for your next planned laundry in a washing machine. If you are lost and want to know exactly how much detergent to use, remember to look at the instructions from your washing machine’s user manual or on the detergent container. The quantity of detergent used must be adapted according to several parameters such as the degree of soiling of the laundry, the quantity of clothes to be washed and so on.

Mistake #3 – Washing clothes with full pockets (without checking if they are empty): 

A pocket can contain many things, for example, pebbles picked up from the park by your children, pliers and rubber bands forgotten in your jacket, or coins left in the back pockets of your jeans. Running your washing machine with your clothes’ pockets filled with different objects will not only damage valuable items but can also quickly damage the washing machine’s drain pump filter. If the pump is damaged, your washing machine may break down very often. In addition, remember to zip-up and button up your dresses and shirts so that they do not damage your washing machine or your other clothes.

Mistake #4 – Overfilling the washing machine drum: 

A washing machine has a maximum capacity, this is also one of the main selection criteria when buying a new washing machine. Note that this maximum capacity corresponds to a specific type of fabric. Depending on the laundry material, the maximum capacity is not the same. Overloading your washing machine can have two main consequences: Your clothes will probably come out unwashed and with an unpleasant smell. There is a high risk of damaging your washing machine if you consistently overload it with more clothes than needed.

Mistake #5 – Washing your fragile laundry without nets: 

As already mentioned above, it is advised to pay attention to the washing recommendations listed on the labels of your textiles because washing some unsuitable clothes in the machine or at a certain temperature can deteriorate them or even damage the washer. Small items of clothing such as socks, bras, or panties can slip into the tub-pump’s hose of your washing machine, which can eventually cause many breakdowns. To avoid this and to protect your small clothing items from damaging and stretching, put them in a net. 

 Here are a few general recommendations to keep in mind: for fragile clothes, sportswear, or even swimsuits, do not exceed 30°C. For sheets, towels, and cotton clothes, you can go up to 60°C. Finally, for very dirty laundry such as towels and rags, don’t hesitate to run a washing program at 90°C, adding a little white vinegar to the machine.

In case you need the help of professionals in the management of your laundry, Mr. Laundromat is the best choice for you. 

Stay connected to discover more mistakes to avoid while doing laundry in our next post.

How to make an effective homemade laundry detergent

Did you run out of your store purchased detergent to wash your clothes? Well, worry no more, for you can make your own detergent from the comfort of your home. In fact, you are never better served than by yourself with your economical, natural, and effective, homemade laundry detergent that will leave your clothes smelling good and clean. 

Here are two ways to make your laundry detergent at home:

There is a liquid and powder version; choose the one that suits you better. 

 Homemade liquid detergent recipe

 For 1 L of detergent, you need:

• 1 liter of water
• 50 grams of Marseille soap flakes
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• a few drops of natural aromatic extracts or natural fragrance (optional)
• It is essential to use real Marseille soap, made according to the rules of the art, in the cauldron. It should be at least 72% vegetable oil, with no palm oil or added glycerin.
• Boil the water, then remove it from the heat.
• Melt the Marseille soap flakes in boiling water.
• Add the tablespoon of baking soda and mix.

Leave the preparation to cool, then add 10 to 15 drops of aromatic extracts or the fragrance. Adding perfume is optional; you can fully appreciate the excellent smell of Marseille soap. 

Pour the preparation into an old detergent can or a glass bottle.

If you are a fan of homemade laundry, you have surely already faced a major problem: your liquid laundry soap becomes ticker. Indeed, as it cools, it becomes more compact and thicker. This is completely normal; You can always blend it for a few minutes before transferring it to your container using a funnel.

 Homemade washing powder recipe

It’s almost the same recipe! You need:

• 200 grams of real Marseille soap flakes
• 30 grams of soda crystals
• 20 grams of sodium bicarbonate
• A few drops of natural aromatic extracts or natural fragrances to perfume your laundry.
• Mix all the ingredients to obtain an excellent and homogeneous powder.
• Add the essential oil and pour it into a hermetically sealed glass container.

Although it is a natural detergent, it can be a bit irritating to the nose, so avoid over-inhaling it.  however, don’t worry; this naturally made soap will take care of all your sensitive skin issues no matter what.

In terms of dosage, add 1 tablespoon for moderately soiled laundry. 2 spoons for heavily soiled laundry.

 Regarding fabric softener, there is no need to bother yourself. Pour white vinegar into the compartment provided for this purpose, and you’re done.

HOW TO GET RID OF YELLOW SWEAT STAINS ON CLOTHES?

Sweating is part of our daily lives, especially during the beautiful and hot summer days. It often leaves yellow stains on our clothes, particularly under the armpits. In addition, these sweat marks are sometimes hard to remove and generally do not leave entirely after a simple machine wash. However, we bring good news for you. In fact, it is possible to get rid of these stains; below are some simple but efficient tips that will help you thoroughly remove these sweat marks and continue to enjoy wearing your favorite white t-shirt. 

Baking soda

An essential natural ingredient to have in your closet, baking soda once again works wonders on yellow sweat marks. You can (optionally):

•   Soak the stained garment for several hours in a tub of hot water to which you add two tablespoons of baking soda. Rinse it; then wash it at 40°C
•   Prepare a paste by pouring a ¼ cup of water and four tablespoons of baking soda. Using a toothbrush, spread the paste over the stain in a thick layer and let it dry until the mixture solidifies. Then, put the fabric in the washing machine: the yellow stain will disappear at the same time as the powder. 

Soda crystals

Even more powerful than baking soda, soda crystals are very effective in removing yellow sweat marks:

•   Pour a cup of soda crystals into a tub filled with 1 liter of hot water.
•   Soak your clothes in the mixture for a few minutes, rub lightly and rinse thoroughly with clear water.

White vinegar

White vinegar is the perfect ally for thick fabrics such as sweaters or woolen cardigans:

Dilute white vinegar with water.

Let your garment soak in this mixture for an hour before putting it in the washing machine. If the stain persists, you can gently rub in circular motions to avoid damaging the fabric.

Hydrogen peroxide

Soak a rag with a bit of hydrogen peroxide.

Rub the stain, rinse, machine wash, and you’re done!

Lemon juice

Lemon juice is excellent for removing a stain from delicate fabric.

Squeeze a lemon and collect the juice.

Dilute the juice with water and dab the stained area with this mixture; Allow the area to air dry before washing.

You can combine both lemon juice with baking soda if the stain is very encrusted. Squeeze the juice directly on the stain, rub with the help of a lemon and sprinkle with baking soda, then leave to act for 1 hour before washing your garment in the machine. 

Aspirin 

Aspirin is well known for relieving headaches. In addition, aspirin is exceptionally effective on removal of sweat marks.

In a half glass of hot water, dissolve three tablets of aspirin.

Put the solution in a spray bottle and spray directly on the stain.

Leave to act for several hours before washing in the washing machine.

How to keep your jeans from fading

Jeans undoubtedly remain the most popular garments we wear day and night, whatever the climate and in all circumstances. It is the essential piece of our dressing room. Practical, comfortable, and available in various shapes and colors, this item never goes out of style. The only downside with jeans has to do with wear and washing. In fact, the denim quickly ends up discoloring, revealing a dull and dirty appearance. To end this faded look, we have a super-effective solution! You can use one of the following two methods below:

Method #1

•  Fill a basin with 200 ml of lukewarm water.
• Add 200 g of coarse salt.
• Wait 15 minutes for the salt to dissolve properly in the water. Stir occasionally.
• Immerse the jeans in the basin. Let it soak for about 30 minutes.
• Then put it in the washing machine, without mixing it with other clothes to prevent it from staining them.

 Method # 2

 Immerse the jeans in a basin containing lukewarm water and white vinegar. For the dosage, count two liters of water for half a cup of white vinegar; let them soak for half a day. Then put it in the washing machine. 

 Please note: If you prefer to avoid putting your jeans in the washing machine, you can leave them overnight in the basin. The next day, you may rinse them carefully with clear

water to remove all the salt residue. Then let them air dry. Once the jeans are completely dry, you will notice that the color is much brighter than before.

 Caution: 

• Remember to always turn your jeans inside out before putting them in the washing machine. This will prevent the lye from attacking the dye so aggressively. Jeans washed inside out retain their color better. 
• Never dry your jeans in the dryer. The heat of this device, although very practical, will weaken the fabric’s fibers and cause a loss of color. When possible, it’s preferable to let your jeans dry naturally. If you can hang them somewhere, do it. Jeans fade less when you hang them up to dry.  
• If you absolutely must use a dryer, for example, if you must dry your jeans right away, always select the lowest possible temperature or a delicate cycle. The higher the heat, the more likely the fabric will discolor 

Thanks to these tips your jeans won’t rub off anymore, no more jeans that fade and lose their beautiful color or ruin all your laundry. In addition, these methods are economical, 100% organic with no risk to your health or the environment. Know that you can also use either method on generally colorful clothes.