There is nothing better than crawling into a bed full of new information, but it really takes some effort to be patient on the last day. Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Cleaning Lab, shared her tips for cleaning and extending the life of this important mattress. First step: Make sure you have cleaning supplies on hand.
What You’ll Need
- Shout Advanced Ultra Gel
- Gain Liquid Detergent
Now it’s time to get to work.
How to Wash Sheets
Sheets don’t dress like gym shorts or jeans, but you spend a lot of time in them—and night after night, germs, sweat, and sebum build up quickly.
“If there are no spots, there is no need to pre-treat the leaves,” says Forte. “But it’s always good to check pillowcases for makeup residue. A stain-removing prewash like Shout Advanced Ultra Gel can help remove stains.” Then add a detergent such as Good Housekeeping Gain Liquid Detergent Sealer.
Some newer washing machines have special cycles for washing bedding. But if you don’t, choose a “Normal” or “Normal” cycle instead of “Heavy Duty”. “Sheets don’t need much movement to keep clean, and a heavy-duty cycle can lead to creases and wrinkles,” says Fort.
To increase cleanliness (helps if you suffer from allergies), increase the temperature of the water. Choose a wash cycle that uses the hottest water for linens (see the care label). “The hotter the water, the more germs you kill,” says Forte. When you’re done, fold the sheets and put them away until you’re ready to put them on the bed.
How Often Should You Wash Sheets
Papers can collect a lot of things you can’t see, like dead skin, dust, bacteria – even feces – and need to be cleaned regularly. “The longest you should wait before changing pages is two weeks,” Forte said. “The week is even better.”
If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies to dust or pollen, excessive sweating, or infectious diseases (or if your pet sleeps in your bed), consider washing your bed several times a week.
Now, avoid these common missteps to ensure you get a great night’s sleep on laundry day.
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4 Common Sheet Washing Mistakes
1. Overloading your washer
It can be tempting to throw away all of the family’s bedding at once, but there are a few things you need to do to make this job right. “Sheets need to be straightened to stay clean,” Forte says. “Today’s giant washing machines can handle a lot of loads, but they never stack. And if you’re rocking in the middle of the washing machine, don’t twist the sheets. You don’t stack them individually.”
2. Using the wrong setting
There is no need to select a high duty cycle (unless the bedding is a major mess). “It is possible to wash sheets on a regular, regular, or color cycle; they will still be clean,” says Forte. “These options are softer and shorter than the heavy ones and (depending on the machine) gradually cool the water to reduce wrinkling.”
3. Drying them for too long
Mattresses take a little longer to dry than normal clothes, but bedding can fall out from “just” leaving it in the dryer. “Overdrying is the problem,” Forte said. “It’s best to dry the sheets on the lowest heat possible (and yes, it can take some trial and error to get it right).
4. Drying sheets with towels
Not all beds are the same, so it’s best to keep a variety of items to avoid dehydration. “Bedding dries faster than towels, so when the bedding is drying, the towels are probably still wet,” Forte said. If you’re planning to combine the stuffing, Forte says it’s fine to put some cotton deeper with the paper, but towels are problematic.
The Most Effective Way to Hand-Wash Clothes in Your Sink
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your clothes is ditch the washing machine and take a practical approach. Hand washing is often an effective option for delicate items – such as bras and underwear – for most types of clothing, especially if you don’t have a large load for trips to the laundromat.
Before heading to the sink, check the garment’s care and fiber label for water temperature instructions and other washing instructions. If the label says dry clean only, do not hand wash. If it just says dry clean, it may be safe to wash in the sink. As a precaution, test the garment by placing a drop of water in a hidden area and wiping it with a paper towel. If no color comes out or leaves a water stain, the garment can be safely washed by hand. But be aware that if you go against the care label, you’re taking a risk: it’s not just about the fabric’s color fastness or water stains; other considerations, such as surfaces, surfaces, or material shrinkage, may make hand washing unsafe if the care label calls for dry cleaning.
Whether you’re dealing with scars or just need to pull a T-shirt before the next wear, follow the advice of the experts—Carolyn Forté, Director of the Good Housekeeping Department’s Watch Center—on the wrong way to hand wash clothes. . While care instructions may vary from garment to garment, the same step-by-step process applies whether you’re working with wool, silk or cotton.
How to Hand-Wash Clothes
Hand washing is the gentlest approach. This allows you to treat your clothes with the utmost care during the cleaning process. To save time, don’t hesitate to wash clothes tastefully, aka clothes of the same color and material. Follow this step-by-step guide for most outfits (but see more detailed instructions for bras, underwear, and sweaters):
- Read the care label to determine the type of fabric: silk, wool, etc. Then choose the best soap. Any standard liquid or powder detergent can be used for most items. Delicate fabrics may require mild detergent, mild detergent or mild detergent.
- Treat stains if necessary. To do this, gently press laundry stains or liquid detergent onto the stain with your fingers (avoid rubbing!).
- Fill the washing machine with water – warm or hot, depending on what is indicated on the washing labels. (FYI: Wool, silk and bright colors clean best in cold water.) While the water is running, add your desired amount of detergent. Dip the detergent into the water to make sure it’s completely dissolved, then place the garment in the water and gently press down on it until it’s completely submerged. While washing, gently squeeze the soapy water through the clothes several times. Water can change color, but it can be so clear that it does not lose color.
- Wash well. If you have a faucet sprayer, put any light clothing, such as tights or a bathing suit, in the dryer and launder it. Otherwise, fill a sink with cold, clean water, put your clothes in it, and let the water drain to rinse off the water. Repeat as needed.
- Remove excess water. As pressing delicate and wet garments can cause damage, carefully lift the garment with both hands and squeeze out as much water as possible. Then place it on an absorbent towel and rotate the towels and clothes until the water is absorbed. Be sure to treat your clothes gently.
- Hang the items to dry. To prevent delicate items, especially knitwear, from warping, hang them to dry. For extra care (and to speed up the drying process), lay sweaters or swimwear on top of a dry towel and let them air dry. When the front is dry, flip it over.
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