Popular Laundry Myths Debunked

Popular Laundry Myths Debunked

There are many myths, tips and old wives tales on how to do the laundry for the best clean. Many of them are true, while others have the potential of doing your washing more harm than good! For example, did you know that you can wash delicate fabrics such as silk in a washing machine? And hot water doesn’t necessarily mean a better wash?

While doing the laundry is a boring chore for most of us, we still want to ensure that it’s done correctly and that we use the best practices to help make the task a little easier. So, whether you’re not sure if you’re doing the laundry correctly or you just want the facts, read on to find out the most popular laundry myths debunked.

Myth #1: The more laundry detergent you use, the cleaner your clothes will be

It seems reasonable to believe that the more laundry detergent added to the wash, the cleaner the clothes will be. The truth is, laundry detergents do not work that way. In fact, if you use more than the required cap full, any excess powder or liquid will create excessive suds and leave residue on your clothes.

This residue can lead to skin irritation, especially on those with sensitive skin. It also makes it harder to rinse, with a rewash often needed to remove residual detergent. To avoid this, always read your detergent label and stick to the dosage recommendations.

Myth #2: Spot treat all stains from the front

How many times have you accidentally spilled food or drink on your shirt front and reached for a damp cloth or stain remover to buff away the stain? Again, it may seem logical to treat the spot directly, however, it’s more effective to turn your shirt or pants inside-out. By doing so, you are pushing the stain away from the fabric fibres instead of rubbing it in even deeper.

Myth #3: You can’t wash silk or wool in the washing machine

While delicate fabrics like silk or cashmere are beautiful to wear, it’s off-putting to know that you have to hand wash them afterwards. Well, the good news is that you can wash these delicate materials in the washing machine.

Machines these days have a ‘delicates/wool’ selection designed to be gentle enough to wash these fragile fabrics. If you still feel uneasy putting these items in the wash, place them inside a mesh bag for added protection.

Myth #4: Washing in hot water kills germs & bacteria

Many people wrongly believe that in order to get a better clean, hot water must be used. In fact, the hot water in a washing machine isn’t enough to kill any bacteria, anyway. Also, modern laundry detergent is enough to get rid of any bacteria if used correctly (in accordance with the label instructions).

Myth #5: Overloading the washing machine is more efficient

While many of us have good intentions when it comes to believing that if we overload the washing machine, we end up saving water (and cleaning time!). However, by overloading the machine, it makes it harder for the drum to operate and difficult to evenly disperse the laundry detergent. In other words, overloading the machine is wasteful as you’re left with half-cleaned clothes.

Myth #6: Your washing machine doesn’t need to be washed

Yes, it might sound strange to have to clean your washing machine! It’s getting cleaned while its washing laundry, right? Well, actually – no. You should get into the habit of giving it a clean from time to time. To do this, run a ‘drum clean’ programme or do a laundry-cycle with an empty load. This will get rid of any detergent residue and limescale deposits, as well as eliminating odour-causing bacteria.

Myth #7: Pouring detergent on to the clothes is more effective

For a better clean, it’s best to avoid adding your detergent after you’ve put your clothes in the machine. Instead, add the detergent before putting your laundry in to avoid getting leftover residue on clothes and to prevent the chances of an allergic reaction.

Myth #8: You should always use fabric softener

Fabric softener isn’t always necessary. In fact, it can inhibit clothes from getting a proper clean, since it can create a barrier that prevents materials from absorbing water and detergent. While fabric softener is good for fluffing up towels and blankets, you can do without when it comes to washing clothes. A good quality, natural laundry detergent will keep laundry soft while successfully getting rid of any stains and odours.

Ready to put your clothes washing to the test?

Steer clear of these popular washing myths and read more on how to wash your clothes on the bio-home blog. We’ve got plenty of real tips and tricks to help you understand the best ways to achieve the results you want. By paying attention to the amount of detergent you’re using, selecting the correct washing machine function and learning how to wash clothes with greater efficiency, you will save yourself a headache while maintaining the quality of your washing machine and clothes.

Get the best results for your clothes and by washing with products from Bio-Home. The Laundry Detergent Regular and Laundry Detergent Delicate from Bio-home do not contain any harsh chemicals and are 100% plant-based.