father and son doing laundry

There are plenty of reasons to want to take good care of your clothes. Clothing that’s well cared-for looks better and lasts longer, which means you spend less money on new clothes. It also reduces your carbon footprint and allows you to hang on to those pieces you really love. What’s the best way to take care of your clothes if you have the time and energy to launder them at home?  Follow these tips to launder them correctly.

  • Use gentler products. Detergents can be harmful to the environment and rough on your clothes. Powdered detergents are especially harsh and using too much at a time can make your clothes stiff and dull. Use liquid detergents or detergents made from plant-based materials for a gentler clean. You can also use half the recommended amount of detergent if you boost it with ½ cup of baking soda. Skip the chlorine bleach, too. Try vinegar as a clothes-brightener or use an oxygen-based bleach, which works to brighten clothes and as a laundry sanitizer.
  • Wash in cold. Only truly dirty things need to be washed in hot water, which is good news because hotter water can wear out your clothes more quickly.
  • Be gentle on your clothing. Use the gentle cycle on your washing machine for most loads. While garments like jeans can be washed on the normal setting, most other items do better with gentler washing. For that matter, hand wash whenever you can, and wear things more than once before tossing them in the laundry basket to be washed. When you do run the washer, don’t over-crowd your clothes. They’ll rub against each other without sufficient water, and this will damage their fibers.
  • Consider a front-loading washer. Traditional top-loading machines move clothes around using an agitator. Front-loading washers, on the other hand, use gravity to gently tumble the clothes. If you’re in the market for a new washer, it may be time for a front-loader.
  • Wash things inside out. A front loading washer is an investment, but here’s a free laundry saving move: turn things inside out. Your t-shirt designs will last longer, beads and buttons won’t fall off as easily, and darks won’t fade as much.
  • Use a delicates bag. A mesh washing bag is a good option when you don’t have time to handwash and you want to use your machine for woolens, silk, bathing suits, activewear, or lingerie.

Want to know how you can do loads of laundry in just minutes?  Use the Orlando Cleaners Laundry Subscription Service and all you have to do is fill your laundry bags with items you would normally wash, dry and fold at home. We will take care of the rest. If you’re looking for full-service garment care with a culture of friendliness, positivity, and eco-consciousness, trust the industry experts at Orlando Cleaners. Feel free to contact us through our website or call 407-992-8561 for more information.