Do's and Don'ts Using a Washing Machine

1. Do sort your clothes  

To achieve the very best wash, clothes need to be sorted before you put them in the machine. This will also ensure they last longer. Here's how you should sort clothes:

• By fabric: Separate delicate fabrics that require a gentle cycle from heavier items.
• By color: Separate whites from colors, and pastels from dark colors.
• By soil: Soil can travel from one item to another, so wash heavily soiled garments separately.
• Lint: Check pockets and remove any items (like tissues) before washing. Wash heavy lint shedders such as blankets, bedspreads, rugs, and woolens separately. You should also regularly clean the lint filler of your washing machine.

2. Do pre-treat stains  

Stained clothes must be pre-treated before being placed in the washing machine. Most stains can be removed entirely, provided they are handled quickly and correctly.

3. Do set the right temperature by checking labels  

Before popping your clothes in the washing machine, always check the care labels for washing guidelines. These will give you instructions on the appropriate wash cycle and temperature to set.

Poorly stained clothes that tend to bleed or darkly stained clothes should always be washed in a cooler setting below 80-degree Fahrenheit. Jeans and lacy materials should be washed in a warm setting such as 90-degree Fahrenheit. 

4. Don't overload your washing machine

Clothes crammed into your washing machine won't be able to move around enough and receive a proper clean. This means you could end up having to wash them again. Overloading your machine can also offset the balance of the drum, which can cause the cycle to fail. 

5. Don't use excessive detergent

An excessive amount of detergent could leave residue on your clothing. The same goes for fabric softeners. If you're noticing that your clothes are stiff, smell strongly of soap, and have flecks of powder on them, you're using too much detergent. 

6. Don't leave wet clothes in the machine too long

Moisture from wet clothes could result in a build-up of mold in your washing machine drum, or even on your clothes. Remove clothes from the machine as soon as possible after the rinse cycle. Where possible, you should also allow your clothes to dry naturally outside. 

7. Do clean your washing machine regularly

The build-up of laundry grime, detergent, and bacteria in your machine can cause clothes to come out smelling worse they did prior to being washed. 

Your washing machine won't be able to do its job effectively if it's not clean itself. That's why regular cleaning - with a product like Wash Warrior - is a crucial part of looking after your washing machine.