Fun Facts About Laundry to Help Lighten Your Load

Just because you've been doing laundry as long as you can remember doesn't mean you're doing it right. Here are some tips to make your clothes-washing experience even better than before.

Image via Liz Marie Blog

A lot of people use too much detergent. Expert Homemaker Emily Chapelle, said check where the lines on your detergent cap are. "Now subtract a bit," she said. "Really. Your clothes will still get clean, and you'll save a bit of money too. Plus, using too much can cause buildup over time, contributing to bad smells and bacteria growth. Gross."

You can wash almost everything on cold."It simplifies things a bit when you have fewer settings to select, and everything still gets clean," Chapelle said. "Plus, you're saving energy because you're not heating up all of that water just to feel better about your laundry."

With Tide Original, you can always get a great clean — even in cold water.

After you've had a chance to wash those new jeans a few times, or that fresh red shirt, you can start washing all of your clothes together on cold without the risk of bleeding. "I'm all for breaking down the barriers to getting stuff done in our homes," Chapelle said. "If washing your clothing together in a cold cycle makes laundry (and life) easier for you, go for it."

Put extra dirty clothes in the sink, tub or washer and soak overnight to help loosen that dirt and grime.

You'll keep your colors fresher, longer by turning your clothes inside out—particularly jeans. Don't forget to wash on cold.

If you were trying to remove a stain in the wash, make sure you examine it before throwing the garment in the dryer. Drying the stain will likely set it and make it much harder to get out.

Over-bleaching your whites can result in them looking more yellow than white. Try adding a half-cup of hydrogen peroxide after your washer is filled with water. Let the clothes soak for 30 minutes before washing.

Before you toss those clothes in the dryer, be sure to tuck pockets back in, straighten any sleeves or pant legs to keep them from drying in the wrong spot. After you take the clothes out of the dryer, shake them out before hanging.

Be careful not to under pack or overpack your dryer. Either scenario can make it difficult to dry the clothes efficiently, resulting in longer drying times and more energy usage. If you are looking to dry a load faster, add a dry bath towel to help soak up the extra moisture.