Washing tips

Issue

• How to improve the washing results?
• What are the basic tips for laundry?
• Washing results are not satisfactory

Applies to

• washing machines

Resolution

1. Clothes may seem greasy after washing when too much fabric condiotioner has been used.

This results in a build-up of large amounts of active substances in the clothes, which makes them greasy to the touch and at the same time reduces the absorbency.

2. If you have white stains on your clothes, it may be because you are using a detergent containing zeolites.

• Zeolites are insoluble in water. So, it may be the zeolite – rather than soap powder – that can be seen on your clothes.
• Try to change to a non-zeolite detergent.

3. Discoloration and stains on clothing may also occur due to using too much fabric conditioner.

• There may also be some small gum-like brown lumps on clothing if the detergent and fabric conditioner come into contact with each other.
• These stains and lumps from the conditioner can usually be removed by washing the garment at a temperature which is roughly 20ºC higher than the temperature it is normally washed at.

4. Wash residue comprises small greyish, greasy lumps which occur when the laundry has included a great deal of fatty substances and additional detergent was not used.

• This is especially seen on clothing with ointment and/or cream on it, as well as on brand-new clothing, which may contain a small amount of oil.
• Soap powder residue can be removed by washing with slightly more soap powder than normal.

5. If there is be too much foam in the machine during the main wash cycle, the clothes may not be washed properly.

• This may be because you add  too much soap powder, and/or use the wrong soap powder with soft water.
• If there is a lot of foam in the machine during the wash cycle.
• The clothes will float around in the machine and not undergo the necessary mechanical washing, therefore they will not be cleaned properly.

6. Clothes can get very hard if they are washed in water which is very hard, or if unsuitable or too little soap powder is used.

• If clothes are dried on a washing line and/or in an enclosed space, they will frequently become stiff.
• However, this problem can be remedied by adding fabric conditioner in the final change of rinsing water or by stretching the clothes when you take them off the washing line.
• Stretching the clothing in particular will stop it from becoming rigid.

7. Unpleasant smells after washing clothes can be caused by using a temperature that is too low during the wash process.

• Constant washing in low-temperature programmes can create bad smells and stains.
• Regularly carry out a 90°C service wash using a washing machine cleaner to avoid unpleasant smells and marks around the door.
• For washer-dryers always run a drying cycle once a month.

8. Dirt and grime in laundry are made up of many things and detergents also consist of many different ingredients, each with their own task. 

• It is not just a matter of the washing machine, the water hardness and water temperature, but also of the composition of the detergent, which is vital to the outcome of the wash process.
• Poor rinsing may be due to too low water pressure, the wrong dose of used detergent, particularly in soft water, or to the wrong cycle. 

9. Clothes washing and care:

If you wash and care for your clothes properly, they will look more attractive and they will last longer. The care label attached to clothing tells you how to wash, dry and iron your clothes.

• Shirts:

• To give your shirt maximum protection, wash it inside out.
• You can also put it in a pillowcase before washing it.
• For the best results, iron your shirt when it is still damp.
• If the shirt is completely dry, use a water spray or a good steam iron.
• Start by ironing the sleeves inside and out, then the edges.
• Next iron the back of the shirt – be aware of the crease down the back.
• The next step is to iron the outside of the shirt collar, which should be ironed from the tips inwards.
• You then iron the inside of the collar.
• The last step is to iron the front of the shirt. First place one half of the shirt with the outside facing up and iron it flat. Then take the other side of shirt.

• Quilted jackets:

• Quilted jackets and coats can usually be washed at 40°C or 60°C, preferably on a gentle cycle.
• It can be a good idea to use a large machine with space for 7-9 kilos of clothing, as there should be plenty of room in the machine.
• Use a special down detergent and do not use fabric conditioner, as this will cause the down to collapse.
• Dry the garment in a tumble dryer, preferably together with tennis balls to help distribute the down evenly. Alternatively, you can take the garment out every 15 minutes and shake the down well. It is important that the down is completely dry and properly aired, so that it does not get moldy.
• If the washing machine has a special cycle for quilted jackets, you should use this.

• Clothing with prints and patterns:

• Prints will last longer if you wash clothing with prints inside out.
• You will also protect the print by not leaving your clothes creased when they are dry.
• To iron the side with the print on it, place a cloth, such as a tea towel, between the print and iron, and only iron the garment inside out.

• Wool articles:

• New washing machines may be Woolmark-certified. This means that the machine is approved for washing untreated wool and silk, which normally should be hand-washed. 
• If your washing machine is not Woolmark-certified, you should follow the procedure below: 

• Select a detergent to suit the garment’s material and closely follow the instructions on the packet.
• Dissolve the washing powder in water that is hot to touch at around 30°C. It must be completely dissolved before you add the garment.
• Place the garment carefully in the water and make sure that it is completely covered.
• Move the garment around gently in the water – without rubbing it!
• Rinse the garment in clean water at the same temperature as the water used for washing.
• Remove the garment from the water and place it on a clean, dry towel to dry at room temperature.

• Do not use enzymatic washing powder.

• Enzymes may affect wool, so it is very important that you do not wash wool articles using enzymatic washing powder.
• You can buy special detergents for washing wool articles.
• Do not use excessively hot water. Too hot water can cause wool articles to shrink.

• Many washing machines have a wool cycle and it is a good idea to use it when washing wool articles.
• If the garment’s washing instructions state that the garment must be washed by hand, it is important to make sure that the washing machine has a cycle for washing garments which, according to label, should be hand-washed only.  

Tip: Delicate materials such as wool and silk must not be left to soak for a long time.

10. Information about fabric qualities and materials:

A description is given below of the most common fabric qualities. You should always follow the washing instructions on the garment’s label.

• Cotton:

• Cotton is natural soft fiber, which is comfortable to war and quite easy to wash.
• White cotton can be boil-washed, but you should follow the washing instructions for colored cottons. For example, colored trousers and blouses often only need to be washed at 30–40°C in order to retain their color.
• Cotton usually shrinks by 3-5%. The total shrinkage is the same after about five washes, regardless of the wash temperature.
• Cotton can be spin with normal spin cycles, and iron-free cotton should be put through a gentle spin to avoid getting creased.
• Many cotton articles can be dried in a tumble dryer, but be aware that the garment may shrink.

• Acrylic:

• Acrylic is a synthetic material which looks most like wool.
• Acrylic is often used alone or mixed with wool, for example, in sweaters or cardigans.
• Acrylic is sensitive to heat and can lose its shape if you wash it at excessively high temperatures.
• Acrylic is usually washed at 40°C, but taking into account the garment’s fit, we recommend a temperature of just 30°C.
• Never dry acrylic clothing in a tumble dryer.

• Viscose:

• Viscose is a natural material which – like cotton – is soft and comfortable to wear.
• When wet, viscose shrinks slightly, but you can restore the garment’s original shape by steam-ironing.
• Viscose is usually washed at 60°C, but if the viscose garment is colored, it should be washed only at 40°C, like cotton.

• Wool:

• In most cases, it may be enough for you to just air your wool garments.
• If you need to wash them, use a wool or hand wash cycle or wash them by hand.
• It is important that you use a special wool detergent.
• Wool articles can be put through a gentle spin, but should not be dried in a tumble dryer unless your dryer is Woolmark certified and has a special cycle for drying wool.
• Wool clothes retain their shape best if you dry them laid out on a towel.

• Silk:

• Silk is delicate and should be handled with care.
• It must be hand-washed or washed using a gentle detergent and a suitable wash cycle.
• The washing machine’s wool cycle is often good for washing silk.
• You should only tumble dry silk if your dryer has a special cycle for drying silk.
• Silk garments are usually dried by placing them on a hanger while they are wet.
• Always iron silk garments inside out.
• Some silk garments need to be dry cleaned.

• Denim:

• Denim is a strong fabric made of either cotton or cotton and polyester, and is typically washed at 40°C.
• You should always wash and iron jeans inside out in order to retain their color and avoid white faded lines.
• If your washing machine has a special denim/jeans cycle, it may be a good idea to use this.
• It may be useful for you to soak your jeans in 5 liters of water, with 4 tablespoons vinegar added, for about half an hour, before washing them according to the instructions. Vinegar helps retain the color in the fabric.
• Take your jeans out of the washing machine as quickly as possible when the washing cycle has finished in order to avoid creases.

• Polyester:

• Polyester is a synthetic material, which is used in all types of clothing.
• It is often mixed with either cotton or viscose.
• Polyester is easy to care for and does not shrink in the wash.
• Polyester can be washed at 40°C, 60°C or 95°C.
• The temperature will depend on the color and type of garment.

• Leather:

• If stains have appeared on your leather clothing, you should send them to a leather specialist. However, it may be a good idea to hang them up to air.