Let's talk laundry...

[tinker&belle]

Okay, my laundry skills are not up to par...


I've been trying to save money on detergents, washing in cold and only line drying...and my clothing has turned to junk!!!

I have decided that spending a bit more (tide with febreze got the highest rank with consumer reports...so I got that) and washing at different temps (hmm...not sure what to do with what, I know the label gives directions, but I HATE separating!!! I will do if need be but it PAINS me...)

I think that if I put in a little more money, my clothes will look better and it will lead to less shopping from 'needing' things because the things I have already will still look nice...

So laundry 101...what do you do? Money savers are nice, but let's talk what makes clothes look good, smell good, feel good and last longer.

TIA!!!!

 

[TexasTodds]

I will admit that I am a little OCD about our laundry, so I can tell you what I do for ours. I think that our clothes stay nice looking without fading (or shrinking) for longer than most. I also love the smell of softener!

I have always used Cheer. It is not the absolute cheapest, but it's still less than Tide at most stores. I have started using generic liquid softeners though. I have a front loader that I have had for about 3 years. I love the fact that it doesn't have the center agitator, but sometimes I am not as crazy about it, especially with my towels. You also have to make sure you wipe the inside to get the mildew out during the warmer months.

I will also admit that I am not the most energy efficient person. I wash alot of things on warm, with a cold rinse, especially if it cold outside (However I am in Texas, so that is NOT that often!). Where I do feel that I save money is I hang to dry almost everything (except undies and socks/towels/DH's jeans/sheets). However, what I do is that I dry stuff for about 10-12 minutes on extra low heat, and then hang it to dry the rest of the way. This seems to keep the clothes from feeling "crunchy" and also they are rarely wrinkled, and at most just need a slight press, or a few sprays of Downy wrinkle releaser.

For most loads I do use liquid softener, and also some dryer sheets, but I reuse them since I don't dry for long. I do use vinegar for the towels in the washer, and often do a second rinse, but will usually add a dryer sheet or two to the dryer (I like the smell mostly, and have not noticed any absorbancy (sp?) issues. The clothes stay soft, but also another reason I don't always do the cold wash is the fabric softener can leave "grease stains" that you have to use shout to get out.

but I HATE separating!!! I will do if need be but it PAINS me...)

I hate to tell you this, but I am probably an obsessive sorter also I really do think that this is what keeps your clothes in the best shape. I do by color, but also important is the "weight" of the clothes, like DS's navy uniform shorts--since they are sort of a heavy material, I don't wash them with dark shirts, or DH's jeans (a load by themself). I would put them with the lighter weight denim shorts, or my "jeans-type" pants. I also may use warmer water, but "gentle" cycles on most clothes to avoid them being "beat-up" in the washer. Same with the khaki shorts/pants. That is a load by itself, since they are heavier than most lighter weight shirts.

I am embarrassed to say that I have gone off on more than one person who has gone into the laundry room. It drives my MIL batty...she seems to think that the ONLY way she can help me is to do Laundry...this from someone who DOESN'T sort by weight, uses hot water, and dries her clothes to a crisp!! I can't help it, but I would rather the laundry pile up for a week, than for someone to do it "not my way". DH's sister is just the opposite, and I think that is why MIL is always trying to "touch my laundry" . Oh well!

Maybe this is TMI, but I think the end results are certainly worth it.

 

[disneymarie]

I sort by lights, to more colorfuls, to pants/jeans and towels.
I have used Borax when it is $2 a box K-Mart I pick up 4, or else at Sams I buy Baking soda.

It keeps the moldy smell from towl, socks light, soap rinses out well. I buy the Arm and hammer at Target for $3 bottle, and the softener, I get downey Lavendar. There I do splurge. I think the scent, and also I hang a lot of my shirts and capris to dry on the laundry clips or hangers from QVC.

The Jeans and towels, if a weeks wort go in seperate loads if not into one load.
I never iron unless it is a ig deal coming up. To freshen wrinkles I spray them with the wrinkle release Downey into the dryer on the wrinkle release ycle for ten minutes of less.

I am so not A personality for laundry, except for years the tag of mine has been the lavendar softener.
I do have sweaters and will put them into a dryer on cool with a sheet to freshen instead of washing everytime I wear them. There is a at home dryer bag and sheets I use for suits.

I use cool water, cold rinse.

I did just by a conair fabric steamer on sale $29....I do have a Rowenta steam iron that has a steamer on it, but I want something more with out getting a Kobi. I saw the Kobie and was not impressed for the cost.

On nice days try hanging your shirts and tops on hangers, not metal, and hang out side for the fresh air and breeze.
dianne

 

[snoopy5386]

I only separate DH's work clothes, otherwise everything goes in in one load, usually on cold or warm. Pop it into the dryer with a dryer sheet on medium and our clothes are fine.

 

[Colinsmom]

You give so little information, OP. It's hard to give meaningful responses without a lot more information.

Before you do anything else, you need to know what kind of water you are working with as hard water is a much different animal than soft water. If you aren't sure (and don't have a water softener) then call your municipality to find out how hard your water is.

What kind of washer and dryer are you using? What exactly are you seeing in your clothes that makes you call them junk? Fading, pilling, excessive wear, stiffness, wrinkles, smell, what?

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I use Era and Downey in the purple bottle. That is all I will use, my personal choice though cause I just love the smell. For my towels I also at 1 era cap of Lysol to the load. I also make sure to keep my washing machine clean, take it apart where you can easily (the drum center where you add the fabric softener comes out.... clean that ). Also I seperate all of the wash, undies and socks are in one load as long as they are the same color and then they go in the dryer. Towels go in their own load and they go in the dryer . Everything else gets line dried. I follow the label instructions to a tee, they put them on the clothing for a reason.
Laundry is not something that should pain you. When you get into the habit of it then it gets so much easier to do. Now folding....... I hate that, that part is my moms jobs (she lives with us). I wash, dry and bring it to her in a basket.

 

[adell557]

I only separate DH's work clothes, otherwise everything goes in in one load, usually on cold or warm. Pop it into the dryer with a dryer sheet on medium and our clothes are fine.

I do the same and we have hard water. I use Gain, (smells so good) and do everything on cold except towels and sheets I do on hot or warm.

 

[pednurse]

I was everything except towels/sheets in cold water (towels/sheets get either warm or hot depending on what I think they need at the time). I separate as follows: towels & sheets together, darks together, lights together. That's as much separating as I do. I personally use All Free & Clear (due to DD's eczema) and think that it combined with the cold water wash turns our laundry out fine. Everything lasts a long time (other than the knees of my kids' pants....but that has nothing to do with laundry! LOL). BTW, we have very hard water in our area, so we have a water softener.

 

[DevilDuckie]

We use inexpensive detergent and store brand fabric softener. Our one indulgence is woolite's special "for darks" detergent. Everything else does just fine in the other stuff but the blacks do stay blacker this way.

Everything except linens and underwear (and socks) gets washed in cold.

 

[tinker&belle]

You give so little information, OP. It's hard to give meaningful responses without a lot more information.

Before you do anything else, you need to know what kind of water you are working with as hard water is a much different animal than soft water. If you aren't sure (and don't have a water softener) then call your municipality to find out how hard your water is.

What kind of washer and dryer are you using? What exactly are you seeing in your clothes that makes you call them junk? Fading, pilling, excessive wear, stiffness, wrinkles, smell, what?

I have an older set, but they were a nice set originally, handed down to us when we got married by DH's grandmother. It is a speed queen top loader. It has an agitator in the middle. It does not have a place for fabric softner, but I do have a downey ball.

Sometimes if I don't take the clothes out of the washer right when it finishes they get a mildewy smell that is hard to get rid of. My clothes are also so crunchy from line drying, but it seems that if I dry in the dryer they shrink. My whites never look white and my colors fade fast. I think I need the basics.

 

[tinker&belle]

I will admit that I am a little OCD about our laundry, so I can tell you what I do for ours. I think that our clothes stay nice looking without fading (or shrinking) for longer than most. I also love the smell of softener!

I have always used Cheer. It is not the absolute cheapest, but it's still less than Tide at most stores. I have started using generic liquid softeners though. I have a front loader that I have had for about 3 years. I love the fact that it doesn't have the center agitator, but sometimes I am not as crazy about it, especially with my towels. You also have to make sure you wipe the inside to get the mildew out during the warmer months.

I will also admit that I am not the most energy efficient person. I wash alot of things on warm, with a cold rinse, especially if it cold outside (However I am in Texas, so that is NOT that often!). Where I do feel that I save money is I hang to dry almost everything (except undies and socks/towels/DH's jeans/sheets). However, what I do is that I dry stuff for about 10-12 minutes on extra low heat, and then hang it to dry the rest of the way. This seems to keep the clothes from feeling "crunchy" and also they are rarely wrinkled, and at most just need a slight press, or a few sprays of Downy wrinkle releaser.

For most loads I do use liquid softener, and also some dryer sheets, but I reuse them since I don't dry for long. I do use vinegar for the towels in the washer, and often do a second rinse, but will usually add a dryer sheet or two to the dryer (I like the smell mostly, and have not noticed any absorbancy (sp?) issues. The clothes stay soft, but also another reason I don't always do the cold wash is the fabric softener can leave "grease stains" that you have to use shout to get out.



I hate to tell you this, but I am probably an obsessive sorter also I really do think that this is what keeps your clothes in the best shape. I do by color, but also important is the "weight" of the clothes, like DS's navy uniform shorts--since they are sort of a heavy material, I don't wash them with dark shirts, or DH's jeans (a load by themself). I would put them with the lighter weight denim shorts, or my "jeans-type" pants. I also may use warmer water, but "gentle" cycles on most clothes to avoid them being "beat-up" in the washer. Same with the khaki shorts/pants. That is a load by itself, since they are heavier than most lighter weight shirts.

I am embarrassed to say that I have gone off on more than one person who has gone into the laundry room. It drives my MIL batty...she seems to think that the ONLY way she can help me is to do Laundry...this from someone who DOESN'T sort by weight, uses hot water, and dries her clothes to a crisp!! I can't help it, but I would rather the laundry pile up for a week, than for someone to do it "not my way". DH's sister is just the opposite, and I think that is why MIL is always trying to "touch my laundry" . Oh well!

Maybe this is TMI, but I think the end results are certainly worth it.

Thanks for the tips. I will try using a low dry for a little before line drying and seeing if that helps. I just don't like crunchy clothes, KWIM?

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I have an older set, but they were a nice set originally, handed down to us when we got married by DH's grandmother. It is a speed queen top loader. It has an agitator in the middle. It does not have a place for fabric softner, but I do have a downey ball.

Sometimes if I don't take the clothes out of the washer right when it finishes they get a mildewy smell that is hard to get rid of. My clothes are also so crunchy from line drying, but it seems that if I dry in the dryer they shrink. My whites never look white and my colors fade fast. I think I need the basics.

have you tried cleaning your washer? you know running an empty load with lysol in it? Alot of washers you will get that odor if you don't remove your clothes with in a reasonable amount of time.
be sure to use fabric softner in all loads, and to help with the crispness you can line dry then toss them in the dryer for 10 minutes on low temp.
as far as your colors go, this is where seperating will help them not fade and to stay whiter. Your darker colors need cold water (for the most part) and your lighter colors need warm/hot water (for the most part) READ YOUR LABELS on your clothing. Have you tried adding a color booster to your laundry, like clorox 2? Laundry does not have to pain you, it can be done in your spare time. I do laundry every day, except Sunday.

 

[DisneyKT]

Let me first say I hate doing laundry with a passion, my chore when I was a kid was to help my Grams with laundry for 14 people can you say torture to a young child.

Anyway you have to sort your clothes lights from darks they will last longer. You can't leave laundry in your wash afterwards for any long period of time, because it will smell moldy.

I always wash on cold its easier on the fabric. My exception is a load of whites that would need some bleach.

I also have to use for my kiddos All free and clear because of there skin.
Anyway good luck.

 

[belle&beast]

I separate and do many loads and use different temperatures depending on the loads. These are my sorting categories: towels, delicates, lights, whites, darks, brights, gray/khaki.
Towels (all are light colors) and whites I wash in hot.
Lights and delicates I wash in warm.
Darks, brights and khaki/gray I wash in cold.
It may seem like a lot of separating, but it works for me and keeps the loads a manageable size. I also always add a scoop of oxiclean to all loads but delicates. And as someone had mentioned, I use vinegar as a fabric softener with my towels.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I do laundry every day. Not sure if I am doing it the "right" way, but this is what works for us. Our clothes seem to last forever, either until we are sick of them or they are outgrown (or the dog puts a hole in them, but that's another story).

We have a top load high efficiency washer with no agitator. I have to get the clothes out pretty quickly or they will get the mildewy smell. We do clean the washer from time to time with bleach and also with vinegar (not at the same time).

Whites are washed in warm - seems to get the socks cleaner than cold. They are dried on low unless it is only socks and underwear (no t-shirts), then I dry on medium.

Darks and brights are washed in cold and dried on low. I hang dry some items in my bathroom if they are susceptible to shrinking.

Towels are washed on hot (regardless of color), but with no fabric softener. Fabric softeners make towels less absorbent. I will sometimes put a dryer sheet in to reduce static. Towels are dried on hot.

Sheets are washed in hot and dried on hot. DH is allergic to dust mites, and even with the allergy cover on the mattress, sheets are done on hot all the time.

I have a handwash setting on my washer that I use for gymnastics leotards, bathing suits, some of DD5's dresses, etc. Those items are hung on a drying rack in the bathroom instead of machine dried.

I use All Free and Clear (allergies) and Downy April Fresh. I also use Bounce Outdoor Fresh in the dryer (half a sheet).

Hope this helps some!

 

[Tosha]

I seperate my clothing like this...Whites ( washed in hot water and with bleach ) Darks ( washed in cold water) and special load ( this includes my kids Gymbo and Janie and Jack clothing, and clothes that are really light in color that don't belong in whites because it can't get bleached and don't belong in darks so colors won't fade on them....think peach)

And I have now began to dry for 5 minutes and hang to dry.

I personally think the no seperating is what has your clothes going to waste faster...as if you mix and mingle certain clothes they will look dingy and worn. My son mixed his clothes once, and I had to buy him all new T shirts and socks, as they had a navy blue uniform tinge to them.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I seperate my clothing like this...Whites ( washed in hot water and with bleach ) Darks ( washed in cold water) and special load ( this includes my kids Gymbo and Janie and Jack clothing, and clothes that are really light in color that don't belong in whites because it can't get bleached and don't belong in darks so colors won't fade on them....think peach)

And I have now began to dry for 5 minutes and hang to dry.

I personally think the no seperating is what has your clothes going to waste faster...as if you mix and mingle certain clothes they will look dingy and worn. My son mixed his clothes once, and I had to buy him all new T shirts and socks, as they had a navy blue uniform tinge to them.

just wanted to tell you I really like your family picture. Beautiful.

 

[sskem96]

I wash whites in hot with bleach, lights in warm, darks in cold, and towels or bedding in warm, sometimes in hot if dirtier than normal (like someone got sick on them or something). Delicates like swim suits and dresses go in cold in the hand wash cycle.

I don't have anywhere to hang dry, so everything except delicates go in the dryer. I think what makes my clothes last is the fact that I wash everything inside out. It's a bit of a pain to turn rightside out, stain treat, turn back inside out, then have to turn back rightside out again after they come out of the dryer, but our clothes seem to last forever.

I have always used Tide Free, but I hate the new concentrated kind, so I'm trying Meijer brand this week. It's the only thing I could find that's not concentrated and has a no color/fragrance option. We all have sensitive skin. I also use scent-free dryer sheets, and have never used fabric softener in the washer. With the concentrated Tide, I'm finding myself using just as much detergent as before because I use more for stain treating alone (using the Tide Kick) than what is supposed to wash a whole load full, so I'm paying twice as much for the soap, and my clothes aren't coming out smelling clean. I'm also noticing some fading of darker items where the detergent was put directly on the fabric (happened with my burgundy sheets). I never had a problem before they concentrated the detergent.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I have always used Tide Free, but I hate the new concentrated kind, so I'm trying Meijer brand this week. It's the only thing I could find that's not concentrated and has a no color/fragrance option. We all have sensitive skin. I also use scent-free dryer sheets, and have never used fabric softener in the washer. With the concentrated Tide, I'm finding myself using just as much detergent as before because I use more for stain treating alone (using the Tide Kick) than what is supposed to wash a whole load full, so I'm paying twice as much for the soap, and my clothes aren't coming out smelling clean. I'm also noticing some fading of darker items where the detergent was put directly on the fabric (happened with my burgundy sheets). I never had a problem before they concentrated the detergent.

I can find All Free and Clear around here that is not concentrated and has no color and fragrance. I can get it at Wal-Mart, Target and the grocery store. I don't particularly care for the concentrated detergents either. I end up using more than I need because even a little extra of the concentrated is a lot. Besides, it kind of bugs me that the companies who make it can use less water, less plastic and less gas to transport (because they can put more on a truck), therefore making production costs lower, but I have to pay the same price for it! Ultimately it does use fewer resources which is a good thing, but it seems like it should cost less than the regular strength.

 

[tinker&belle]

Any opinions on liquid soap vs. powder?