|
The mysteries of laundry, drying, ironing, detergents and the missing sock are revealed!
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Laundry
|
|
|
|
|
How hard could it be? Chuck in some clothes, mash it
down, throw some white stuff in, push 'on'. If you
have never done laundry, you will find out quickly that
there are some important do's and don'ts of the washing
world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read the Labels
|
|
I have ruined more shirts by not reading the labels. So,
what does the mysterious label have to say besides your initials
to distinguish it from your siblings? It will let you know
what it is made out of, and what it can handle from your washing
and drying machine.
Once you know what you are wearing, find that setting on the
washing and drying machine.
After the first couple of drying sessions, you will quickly learn
that many clothes are at enmity against the dryer. Use with
caution and read the labels. It is a built in instruction
manual.
|
|
|
Check your Pockets
|
|
Remember last week when your teacher gave you the class outline
for the next 4 years and you stuck it in your pocket? Guess
what happens when you wash those pants... bye, bye syllabus.
You will save yourself a lot of headache by just checking your
pockets.
You will also save yourself a lot of money as it somehow falls out
of your pockets, and if someone empties the machine, guess who
gets rich!
|
|
|
Stains and the power of Prewash
|
|
Personally, I could of cared less about stains, let alone washing
at all during my first few years of College. You probably
are in the same boat as myself, therefore, it is up to you whether
or not you want to spend the 10 bucks on Prewash.
Simply put it on the stain, wait a little, then chuck it in with
the rest of your clothes. It's easy and works on most
stains.
|
|
|
Separate the Darks and Lights
|
How can you tell a first time laundry user from a pro? The pink shirt,
that once was white, is a dead give away! I know it saves
time by packing the machine with all your clothes, but you ruin your clothes! Here are some quick tips
for saving your clothes:
-
Wash whites
-
Wash Darks
-
Wash Reds
It's that simple. Most people wash the darks and reds
together, but this could still leave some purple clothes that once
were blue. Then again, tie-dye is catchy if you are into
that kind of thing.
|
|
|
Get all the quarters ahead of time
|
|
Loading the machine, pouring in the powder and then finding out
that you do not have enough money, sucked in! Especially
when it is 9 at night, the shops are closed and no one has any
quarters. Try to keep a stack of quarters in your room for
dire emergencies such as this.
Having enough for the washing machine, I soon found out that I was
a couple quarters short for the dryer. Leaving it in the
dryer, I forgot about my stack of wet clothes for a couple of
days. Coming back, I found it on top of the dryer, missing
some clothes, and smelling like mold! Keep some quarters
handy and save some clothes.
|
|
|
Don't overstuff the machine
|
|
Out of common courtesy, try not to ruin the machines as you will
soon find out that they remain broken the rest of the year.
If there is more than 2 machines working by the end of they year,
you've done well!
If you, like myself, are an over-stuffer, your clothes will not be
as clean, but you will save some money. I have to agree that
it is a fair tossup.
|
|
|
Avoid Hot water
|
|
Here is little math equation:
Hot water = Ruined, shrunken clothes
Although hot water is not as destructive as a hot dryer, it
can still cause some damage. This is where
reading the labels
can come in handy. Try to use Cold or Warm water at
all times. There are a number of 'cold water
detergents' that will provide a good clean wash with cold
water.
|
|
|
Read the
Detergent Label
|
|
Some detergents have the potency of an atom bomb and can wreak
havoc on some tender threads. Try to read the detergent
label when you go shopping so you can get the cheapest possible
detergent with maximum output. Make sure it is a cold water
detergent so you can use it on everything.
|
|
|
Bleach
|
Bleach is a powerful tool generally reserved for the most knowledgeable
of moms. If you are a beginner or intermediate laundry user,
avoid the bleach! Bleach has two important uses:
-
Make white clothes cleaner and whiter
-
Removes the toughest of boils and warts
Bleach means power, and if used properly can make white clothes
stain free again and almost make them shine. Otherwise, they
can cause major hole in your clothes and tie-dye the rest of them.
|
|
|
Preventing Theft
|
|
True human character is revealed when it comes to left
laundry in the laundry room. Something you must
remember:
Left = Lost
I am sure there is some math equation relating to the
amount of laundry stolen directly proportional to the time
left unattended. Clothes do go missing, and it is
usually your favorite shirt your best friend gave you
before never seeing them again.
To avoid losing clothes, watch the clock closely and run,
not walk, back to the laundry room.
|
|
|
Ironing
|
|
One of the greatest phenomenon's of nature relates to the
miracle of hot dryer and no wrinkles. If you fold
your clothes as soon as your clothes are finished drying,
you will be amazed in the results. Try using some
clothes hanger to avoid any folding wrinkles at all.
There are some tips when you chose to iron your clothes.
-
Chances are, you will not splurge and buy an ironing
board. Placing some folded towels on the floor,
desk or any other hard surface will be a good
substitution.
-
Clean your iron to avoid ruining that nice, washed
shirt. If you do have an iron, that is a good
start. Try to keep it high and away from your
food. Personal experience has served as a good
reminder not to grill a cheese sandwich and then iron
your clothes with the same iron, the same day, one
after another.
-
If the wrinkles just don't want to come out, there are
a number of great products on the market that will
basically iron your clothes for you. Try a
little starch spray, and it will only set you back a
few bucks.
-
Delicates need a mother's touch. Chances are, if
you are going to iron, you are going to iron some nice
clothes. Here are some tips for easier, safer
ironing:
-
Iron cuffs and collars first
-
Steam irons work miracles on wrinkles and
delicates
-
Damp towel saves the tenderest of threads
-
Ever hear about the rhyme about a lady bug and her
kids dying in a fire from the iron being left
on? Fairly sadistic kiddies rhyme, but it paints
a perfect picture of the devastation an 'on' iron
could cause. Just pull the plug and save that
lady bugs kids!
|
|
|
Don't be a nuisance
|
There is an unspoken list of rules when using the laundry
room. Some actually have a list of rules posted for
the inexperienced. Memorize the following list and
you will be washing with the best of them:
-
Don't leave clothes before, after or during your visit
just lying around.
-
Try to avoid throwing laundry soap around... kick any
extra discarded soap under the machine.
-
Remove the lint after you use the dryer, and chuck in
the trash, not the floor!
-
Try to remember you have clothes in the laundry
room. Leaving it there a week makes you public
enemy number one!
-
Don't leave laundry basic in laundry room as it will
probably be taken
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
