We expose the myths that are keeping you from getting the most from your washer and dryer.
Laundry technology has changed a lot since our parents or grandparents graduated from old wringer washers and clotheslines to the first generation of modern washers and dryers. Yet most people are still doing laundry the way their parents or grandparents taught them. This means they’re missing out on the benefits of the latest-generation appliances and products. Fortunately, you don’t have to miss out. Understanding why the following 5 myths are false is a great start to getting the most from your washer and dryer.
1. More Detergent Means Cleaner Clothes. Your grandma isn’t to blame for this myth. Many people see that the laundry detergent bottle says to use more detergent for dirtier clothes and assume this means that if a little detergent is good, more must always be better. In reality, laundry detergent has a limited amount of cleaning power. Eventually you’ll reach a point where the extra detergent you’ve added isn’t actually doing any more cleaning, but instead getting left behind on your clothes and your washing machine as a residue.
2. You Have to Make Bubbles to Clean Clothes. This is such a common misconception that for many years, detergent manufacturers actually added sudsing agents to their product so people would feel satisfied their clothes were getting clean. Today’s high-efficiency machines don’t use much water, so they don’t make many bubbles, but they are still getting clothes clean by passing water and detergent through the fabric.
3. Once a Stain Has Been Washed & Dried, It’s Permanent. Washing a garment in hot water or drying it on high heat doesn’t “cook” stains into the fabric permanently. Any stain that can be lifted before washing and drying can potentially still be lifted after. You will probably just have to repeat the stain treatment multiple times.
4. You Have to Use Hot Water for Clean Clothes. The only time you have to use hot water on your clothes is if you’re trying to kill bacteria. Otherwise, use cold water to help preserve colors and prevent shrinking.
5. You Should Always Use Dryer Sheets. Dryer sheets deposit a silicone-like substance onto your clothes to help cut static cling and make clothes feel soft. This residue can also get deposited onto the inside of your dryer. The biggest issue is having residue cover your dryer sensors so that you can no longer use your time-drying function. To reduce buildup and keep your senses in better condition, you might want to consider using the dryer sheets more sparingly.
