Taking Care of Your Clothes Starts with How You Wash Them
Your favorite clothes can last longer when they're washed and dried with the right care. Small changes in how you handle stains, choose wash settings and prepare clothing for laundry can help reduce unnecessary wear.
Here are a few simple laundry care tips to help your clothes last longer.
1. Treat Stains as Soon as Possible
The sooner a stain is addressed, the better the chance of removing it. Avoid aggressively rubbing a stain, which can spread it or damage the fabric.
If you're sending stained clothing to Charlottesville Laundry, include any available special instructions so we know which items may need extra attention.
2. Follow the Care Label
Before washing or drying an item, check its care label. Different fabrics can require different water temperatures, wash cycles and drying methods.
Following the manufacturer's care instructions can help prevent shrinking, fading and unnecessary fabric damage.
3. Don't Use More Detergent Than Necessary
More detergent doesn't necessarily mean cleaner clothes. Using too much can leave residue behind and may make rinsing more difficult.
Using the appropriate amount for the load, washer and detergent helps clothes rinse properly.
4. Turn Dark and Printed Clothing Inside Out
Turning certain garments inside out before washing can help reduce friction on the visible surface of the fabric. This can be particularly helpful for dark clothing, printed shirts and other garments where you want to minimize visible wear.
5. Use Appropriate Water Temperatures
Cold water works well for many everyday garments and can help reduce fading or shrinking for some fabrics. Other items may require warmer water based on their care instructions and cleaning needs.
The garment's care label should always be your guide.
6. Avoid Unnecessary High Heat
Excessive heat can be hard on some fabrics and may contribute to shrinking or wear over time. Use drying settings appropriate for the garment and follow its care label whenever possible.
7. Don't Wait Too Long to Deal With Stains
If something spills on your clothing, don't leave it sitting for days if you can avoid it. Prompt attention can make stains easier to remove later.
Let Charlottesville Laundry Handle Laundry Day
Taking a little extra care with your clothes can help keep them looking their best. Charlottesville Laundry provides convenient pickup and delivery wash, dry and fold service throughout Charlottesville and surrounding communities.
Schedule a pickup and we'll take care of the washing, drying and folding while you spend your time on something else.