Washing & Ironing Tips

Before you start the washing machine:

• Sort the clothes by colour and level of dirtiness. Put the fluffy ones in a separate pile.
• Zip up all clothes so that they are not damaged during washing.
• If any garment needs sewing or repair, it must be done before the washing.
• Small garments from delicate materials (such as underwear) should be hand washed because during the washing they get into a pillow or a sleeve and after that they don’t look good. An alternative is to put them all in a special bag for delicate garments which you put in with the rest of the clothes. The bag keeps them separate and allows them a good wash.
• Use the different programs and temperatures of the washing machine very careful:
  1. Wash slightly dirty clothes at 40°C.
  2. Wash heavy dirty clothes at 60°C.
  3. Synthetics at 50°C.
  4. Wool and woollen fabrics at 40°C with no fast spin.
• Clean the filter of the washing machine at least once a month.
• After using the washing machine dry up the sealing rubber band between the door and the drum and the leave the door open so that the drum can dry out. You will prevent the appearance of mould this way.

Washing:

Hand washing:

• Delicate fabrics like silk, lace and wool are best to be washed by hand.
• Use a detergent designed for hand washing.
• Pre-soak clothes in cold water without any detergent (it is added afterwards).
• Rinse the garments repeatedly with cold water so you don’t damage the fabrics.
• If you’re washing silk clothes, add to the water in the last rinse a little vinegar. This will add shine to the silk garments.

Detergents:

• The detergents used for washing are usually organic or synthetic.
• The synthetic ones are best for washing coloured and very dirty clothes.
• Liquid detergents are friendlier to you clothes than powder ones.
• The detergents used for hand washing are not good for machine wash as they form too much foam.
• If you are an eco standards supporter, the market offers organic products whose ingredients break down dirt with the help of microorganisms.
• Do not hesitate to use softeners. Their use is not wasteful and unnecessary spending of money.
• They don’t only make you washing smell nice but they also “catch” the static electricity from the clothes.

Stain removal:

• The market offers loads of different products designed to combat stains of any origin.
• First, treat the stain with the stain removal detergent, following the instructions on it container and then wash the whole garment (no prewash!).

Dry Cleaning

• Some fabrics are no subject to washing.
• The garments made from them should be taken to the dry cleaners’ but be careful – they shouldn’t be treated too often.
• Clothes manufacturers often insure themselves by recommending dry clean only on their production.
• If you wash some of these garments carefully they won’t be damaged.
• For example cashmere and silk garments in addition to the dry cleaner may be hand washed very delicate with a special, friendly detergent.

Drying:

On the line:

• The classic method of drying clothes on the line is still the most popular one.
• Still there are simple rules which if followed will help you enjoy better results and easier ironing after that.
• Before putting the garment on the line is very important to shape it up with a few shakes to straighten up the creases. This way the garment will dry out less wrinkled and it will be easier to iron it.
• Put the pegs on:
  1. The hems for t-shirts, shirts, sweatshirts, blouses and sweaters.
  2. The shoulders for dresses, if there are no shoulders use the hems again.
  3. The belts for straight skirts and trousers.
  4. The toes for socks.

Dryers:

• Do not overload and regularly clean its filters.
• For easier ironing, do not overdry the clothes.
• Remove the clothes from the dryer as soon as the cycle is finished and if you’re not going to iron them straight away, leave them unfolded so there are no additional creases.

Woollens:

• To keep them from shrinking, you must know not only how to wash them but also how to dry them.
• Never put them in the dryer.
• Carefully drain out the wet garment and leave it on top of a towel on a flat surface.
• Do not expose it to direct sunlight.
• If the woollen garment is very heavy or hand knitted, so that it doesn’t expand, you can drain it with putting it in a towel and rolling it up. Then unroll it and place it to dry on another, dry towel.

Ironing:

• Before ironing check the label of the garment and observe the temperature stated there.
• Iron clothes from inside out to avoid any “shine” on the fabric and “iron” marks as well.
• Never iron velvet garments. To straighten their creases use only steam from the iron or place them in the bathroom after a shower.
• If you iron makes uneven water sprays, then it’s much better to use a plastic bottle with a spray to make the garments damp.
• The iron can be cleaned from limescale if you pour in the water tank a little white wine or vinegar (still you have to read the instructions of your own iron as it may not be treated this way). Then put on “Steam” for 5 minutes. After that, turn it off and let its plate cool down and then pour out the remaining liquid from the tank.
• The iron plate may be cleaned with a paste made from water and baking soda. Rub in with a soft and clean cloth until the dirt falls off. In the end remove what’s left from the paste with a clean cloth.