Energy, detergents, eco programs: a new era has long since dawned for washing. We have compiled a list of what is really effective and useful.
- Powder instead of liquid
- Protect the colors
- Dry faster
- Keeping the machine clean
- Sort textiles
- Don't overfill the drum
- Keep socks together
- Dry small items
- Remove powder residues
- Replace laundry bag
- Charging? No thanks!
- Hygienically clean
Washing bed linen: 6 mistakes that everyone makes
1. powder instead of liquid
The little white powder has many advantages: Not only is it cheaper than most liquid detergents. It also removes stubborn stains better and is generally more environmentally friendly.
How much washing powder do you actually need per load? That depends on the water hardness and the clothes. You can see the latter for yourself. The water hardness is often stated on the supplier's invoice. If not, test strips are available from pharmacies or DIY stores. On average: 65 grams of "normal" powder and 67 grams of compact agent.
2. protect the colors
Of course, never wash white laundry together with colored laundry. Tip: For clothes that stain, you can also use color protection cloths (approx. 3 euros, drugstore).
Which powder really whitens the laundry? The stain from the summer shirt is gone, but a veil of gray is slowly covering the bright white. Then it's time for a heavy-duty detergent. Almost all of them work with bleaching agents that treat stains. The surfactants they contain prevent the dirt from sticking to the fibers again.
Is an extra detergent necessary for black laundry? The products on offer for black clothing are not bad, but a mild detergent that can be used for all colors is sufficient. To get the real black really well, you can soak the clothes in a mixture of water and vinegar. Then put them in the machine.
3. dry FASTER
Does it take forever for the laundry to finish in the dryer? You can shorten the time considerably by simply placing a dry towel in the drum. Give it a try!
4. keep the MACHINE clean
More washing tips: Wash the machine at least once a month at 60 degrees with a detergent containing bleach. Also clean the detergent compartment regularly and leave it open after use, just like the machine door.
Eco programs run for so long - do they really save money? All eco programs run much longer than normal wash cycles. And yet they are much more economical. They use less water. And it is only heated up very briefly once. This means it uses less energy. This protects the environment and saves money - but not time.
5. sort TEXTILES
Not only before washing, but also before ironing! First smooth delicate clothes on a low heat, then robust ones on a high heat. Finally, iron small items such as napkins with residual heat. By the way: It also works without an iron! Moisten the clothes, blow-dry them and smooth them out by hand.
Does it make sense to read the label? Don't you know that? Yes, of course you know the best way to wash towels. Or white cotton shirts. But most items of clothing are made from mixed fabrics. It's important to know whether you can use bleach - that's the triangle on the label. Otherwise the color will fade very quickly.
Microfiber bed linen - how do you care for it properly? Smooth microfiber bed linen is particularly good in summer. They are breathable and dry quickly. The sheets are simply washed with a color detergent at 40 degrees. Softeners are completely superfluous. If you want to iron them, then only at lukewarm temperatures and briefly.
6. do not overfill the TROMMEL
Otherwise not everything may get clean. As a rule of thumb, a raised, spread-out hand should still fit into the drum above the laundry.
7. keep socks together
Who doesn't have lonely socks at home that have lost their partner? The solution: Clip them together with sock clips (approx. 10 euros, Amazon) before washing. Or knot them together.
8. dry SMALL PIECES
You can put socks or underwear in a salad spinner after washing. They then dry much faster. It may sound bizarre, but it works really well!
9. remove POWDER RESTS
If you have put too much detergent in the compartment, residue may remain on the clothes. In this case, wash again without washing powder.
10. replace the washing bag
Thin T-shirts in particular can develop small holes after repeated washing. You do not necessarily need a laundry bag to protect the textiles. You can also simply put them in a jute bag.
11. LOADING? No thanks!
To make the laundry nice and soft and prevent it from becoming statically charged, you can put dryer balls in the dryer. This is even easier: wrap a tennis ball in aluminum foil and place it in the dryer.
12. HYGIENICALLY clean
Washing tips for hygienically clean laundry: Normally, no extra hygiene rinse aid is necessary. However, in the case of fungal infections, heavily sweaty or unpleasant-smelling laundry that cannot be washed at 60 degrees, it is still highly recommended to add a hygiene rinse aid.
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