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Washing at lower temperatures

by Laundry

Recently I was asked to appear on BBC radio to discuss washing at lower temperatures.
The average family does 400 loads of laundry per year? That calculates out to 7.69 loads per week.
I always used to wash clothes at 60 and bedding at towels at 90 degrees but last year I made the switch.  Number one I didn’t have time for this being long cycles and number two my clothes just never looked quite right. When  I ironed them some tops just weren’t square!
Taking my washing down to 40 degrees and under has meant quicker cycles which is perfect when you have a busy life like mine.
With advances in washing machines and laundry detergents, it’s now possible to get clothes clean and fresh at lower temperatures. Modern detergents are designed to work just as well at low temperatures.
Using a washing liquid rather than a powder is better for stained clothes and is more effective on food, grease and oily stains. Some washing powders don’t dissolve well and can leave a residue on clothes. Liquid detergent can be doubled up as a stain pre-treater too.
From research taken I am certainly not the only one that has made the change.Washing at lower temperatures does save you money on your household bills and does use less energy which in turn is good for our planet.

Washing at lower temperatures will benefit you because………….

Your clothes will last longer
Your clothes will stay in shape and will not shrink
Less fibres will be lifted from your cloths
Your clothing will keep its colour better.
Everyday wear can certainly be washed at lower temperatures

But there are a few items I would continue to wash at 60 degrees………

Underwear
Socks
Bedding
Towels
Outerwear such as coats.
Don’t forget to look after your washing machine invest in some washing machine cleaner  which will eliminate nasty residue build up in the pipes and crevices of your washing machine and remove those nasty odours. 
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Click here to get yours.
When washing save money and the environment by doing full loads, try not to do a load with just a few items. If you don’t need to do a daily load then do one every other day.
And also remember to give your denim a little extra care. Have you read my post, how to look after your jeans?

I hope you have enjoyed this post and as always thank you so much for reading. 

Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

 

This post does contain affiliate links 
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Keep your Laundry smelling great

by Laundry

Do you want your laundry to smell fresh and clean after every wash? Well I certainly do, I love nothing more than to give my clean dry fresh laundry a good old sniff.  There is something so satisfying  about fresh smelling clothes.

A good mix of laundry products will be key in keeping your washing smelling good but if your clothes are going into a dirty washing machine this will have an impact on your washing too.  It’s so important to take care of your washing machine if you want clean clothes and fresh smelling cloths.

A few simple tips from me will help you to keep your laundry smelling fresh again!

Don’t delay drying your washing

Don’t leave clean washing in the machine after the load has finished washing especially not overnight. Get it our straight away the nice warm, dark environment like a closed washing machine is where bacteria and mold will thrive causing washing to lose its fresh smell.

Damp clothes

Never put damp clothes and towels in the laundry basket. You may have been swimming and emptied your wet things straight into the washing basket. This is not a good move/  Instead come home and put these wet items in the washing machine straight away.  The same rule applies to wet and damp bathroom towels and face flannels.

Make sure items are really dry before you add them to you Ironing basket or put away

Thick towels and heavy clothing such as jeans take longer to dry these items may need a little longer on the washing line or in the tumble dryer.  Around the pockets on jeans can still be slightly damp so make sure this area is bone dry before transferring to the ironing.  A slight damp patch will cause bacteria to grow and again will take away that freshly washed smell.

Dry outside

I love seeing my washing drying outside on the line, for me its one of life’s real pleasures. Freshly aired cloths, towels and bedding is such a fabulous feeling.  The sun is also a bleaching an agent so any whites with stains will really benefit from hanging outside in the sun. Before I hang my washing I always wipe the line over with a kitchen towel or antibacterial wipe.  My pegs are soaked weekly in warm soapy water and are kept insure when not in use.

Choose the right products

I am a big fan of using washing detergent rather than powder or tablets I do find from experience that the detergent helps the washing to smell fresh for longer.  Use fabric conditioner wisely and never use too much as this can really clog up your machine as its such a thick liquid and can cause a build up of gunk. Work with different brands and combinations until you find a fresh smell that you and your family enjoy. Scent boosters are great as they are directly thrown into the drum of the machine and release smells directly on the washing.  Have you read my review of Scent Boosters?

Stains

Pre-treat stains by soaking garments in a mixture of water and white wine vinegar over night. There are plenty of other methods to remove stubborn stains and I always find natural is best Stain removal tips

Hot wash

If  you’re washing smelling football kits or sweaty gym clothes always opt for a hot wash

Tumble dry

The heat from tumble driers can climate the fresh smell of washing so always use tumble dryer sheets or make your own using my method of cut up square sponge cloths, soak them in fabric conditioner, store in a plastic sealed tub and then add one to your drier when you use.  I have tested a few tumble drier sheets and the Asda ones are really good and keep a long-lasting smell.

Look after your washing machine

Finally look after your washing machine. If you don’t clean your washing machine on a regular basis it will start to smell and it will not clean your clothes probably.

As always thank you for reading
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo