The most important rule is always to check the washing label before you wash your clothes. Also sort them into white, colored and delicate, and choose the right detergent depending on the type of laundry. Also make sure you use the right amount of powder or liquid detergent. Modern machines are generally so powerful that even low temperatures are sufficient for thorough cleaning. Spin-dry delicate clothes at high speed to remove more water from the textiles. Here is a selection of popular materials and tips on how to wash laundry correctly.
Cotton
White textiles can be washed at 60 degrees with a mild detergent. Colored and printed fabrics should be washed inside out at 40 degrees and always add detergent without optical brighteners. It is best to dry in the open air and iron while still slightly damp.
Washing viscose
This popular fashion fabric is delicate. Only wash on a gentle cycle in a drum that is no more than a third full. Only spin-dry briefly and at low speed, then line-dry when dripping wet. Iron while still slightly damp.
Silk
Sort by color before washing, as one side "bleeds" easily Select wool or delicate wash cycle at 30 degrees. When hand washing, do not rub, brush, wring or soak for a long time. Dry lying down or hang shirts and blouses on the hanger while still wet.
Synthetics
The fibers are very elastic, tear and crease resistant and therefore easy to care for. Textiles can be machine washed at 60 degrees. For white fabrics, use a heavy-duty detergent, for colored fabrics use a color detergent. As synthetics dry very quickly, simply hang the clothes wet on the line. Ironing is not necessary.
Linen
Wash colored, unbleached linen inside out on an easy-care cycle at a maximum of 40 degrees with color or mild detergent. Machine wash undyed linen at 95 degrees with a mild detergent.
Elastane
The fibers return to their original shape even when stretched. To keep it that way, wash at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. A few drops of clear vinegar will preserve the elasticity. Dry textiles lying down.
Imitation leather
Only wash on the wool cycle and in a machine with as few loads as possible. Use a mild detergent and never spin-dry. After the wash cycle, smooth out artificial leather and dry on the line. If ironing is possible, turn the textiles inside out beforehand.
Washing wool
Pure wool is a natural product that practically cleans itself. Dirt does not penetrate the fibers, but only adheres to the outside of the wool, so that it can usually be removed by shaking it out. If washing is necessary: only wash by hand with lukewarm water and a special wool detergent. Dry lying down.
The special cases
Metallic: Can be machine washed at a maximum of 30 degrees. Do not tumble dry. Iron only on a low setting, with an ironing cloth.
Sequins: Best cleaned by hand with mild detergent. Machine wash only with washing bag. 30 degrees, gentle cycle.
Softshell: Do not use powder or fabric softener to wash softshell, use special softshell detergent instead. 30 degrees on wool cycle.
Mixed materials: Follow the symbols in the washing instructions, using the most delicate material as a guide. If in doubt, send to the dry cleaner.
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