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Laundry day can feel like a chore, but with the right routine and products, it can become a simple and satisfying process. At Nellie's, we believe that creating a perfect laundry routine starts with prepping your clothes properly and using planet friendly, powerful products to get the job done right.
Here's the ultimate guide to preparing clothes for washing, followed by some laundry tips that will make your clothes cleaner, fresher, and longer-lasting.
1. Sort Your Laundry
Before you toss everything into the machine, take a few moments to sort your laundry. Sorting ensures your clothes are treated properly and helps prevent any unfortunate mishaps (like dye transfer or fabric damage). Here's a basic rundown:
- Separate whites from colours: Bright and dark-colored fabrics can bleed into lighter clothes during the wash.
- Sort by fabric type: Heavier fabrics like jeans should be washed separately from delicate fabrics like silks and lace.
- Pay attention to the wash instructions: Check the care labels on each item to know what temperature and cycle they need.
2. Pre-Treat Stains
Pre-treating stains is a key step to ensure your clothes come out clean and fresh. Whether it's grass stains, baby messes, or food spills, the WOW Stick is your secret weapon.
3. Turn Clothes Inside Out
One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your clothes is to turn them inside out before washing. This reduces wear and tear on the outer fabric and helps protect embellishments like screen prints, embroidery, and buttons. Turning your clothes inside out can also reduce fading, keeping your colours vibrant wash after wash.
4. Check Pockets and Fasteners
We've all made the mistake of washing a tissue, gum or forgetting about coins in a pocket. These small oversights can cause big messes! Before loading your machine, empty all pockets and fasten any zippers, buttons, or hooks. This will help prevent items from getting caught snagging, or causing damage to the washing machine.
5. Choose the Right Detergent
Now that your clothes are sorted and prepped, it's time to choose the best detergent. Nellie's Laundry Soda is the perfect solution for a powerful yet gentle clean. Our highly concentrated formula means you only need one tablespoon per load, saving you money while being gentle on your fabrics and the planet.
5. Use the Right Water Temperature
Washing clothes at the right temperature is essential to avoid shrinkage, fading, or fabric damage. Here's a quick guide:
- Cold water is best for delicates, bright colours, and lightly soiled clothes. It also saves energy!
- Warm water works well for synthetic fabrics, everyday clothes, and lightly stained items.
- Hot water is ideal for whites, heavily soiled items, and linens, as it helps to sanitize and remove deep stains.
7. Don't Overload Your Machine
While it's tempting to shove as many clothes into your washing machine as possible, overloading can prevent your clothes from getting properly cleaned. Clothes need room to move around in the drum to allow water and detergent to reach every item.
Leave some space in the washer so that clothes can tumble freely and come out cleaner and fresher.
8. Dry Clothes with Care
Once the wash is done, it's time to dry your clothes properly to maintain their quality. Whenever possible, air dry delicate fabrics and items that are prone to shrinkage. For everything else, toss them in the dryer along with Nellie's Wool Dryerballs. These planet friendly dryerballs naturally soften fabrics and reduces drying times.
9. Fold or Hang Clothes Right Away
Once your laundry is dry, fold or hang your clothes as soon as possible to avoid wrinkles and creases. Neatly folded clothes stay fresh and ready to wear, saving you time from having to iron them later. Plus, properly storing your clothes helps extend their life.
Achieving the perfect laundry routine is all about preparation and using the right products. From sorting your laundry to pre-treating stains and choosing planet friendly detergents like Nellie's Laundry Soda, each step helps keep your clothes clean, fresh, and in great condition for longer.
Ready to level up your laundry game? Try Nellie's Laundry Soda and discover the difference for yourself. Happy washing!