We will not deny: there is no smell more pleasant than clean, fresh linen or clothes. But this does not mean that you need to arrange laundry every day. After all, if you wash your clothes after only wearing them once, they will lose their original look faster.
If you have a dryer, you may never have thought about the fact that the lint you remove from the lint compartment is tiny bits of fabric from your clothes. The other part is washed off in the washing machine. Thus, the less often you wash your clothes, the longer they will last you.
About the frequency of washing and the factors that affect it
So what is the right way to wash clothes? The frequency depends on many factors. For example, how often you shower, how much you sweat, how many hours you wear clothes. We must not forget about the weather and time of year.
Below you will find a quick guide that tells you how often to wash a certain category of clothing. If you're in doubt about whether to put an item in the washing machine, do a mini-research of how it looks, how it feels and, most importantly, how it smells. It is possible that the product will wait for the next wash.
How often to wash clothes: a quick guide
Underwear and socks - after each use. So stock up on everything, but more. No need to turn your underwear inside out for reuse - that's not how it works. And if you run out of clean clothes and don't have time for a big wash, wash your underwear by hand and leave to dry overnight.
Sportswear - after each use. Sports uniform absorbs sebaceous secretions and sweat. In addition, bacteria multiply on it, which is why an unpleasant odor arises.
Jeans - after every 6 socks or every six months (if you rarely wear them). It all depends on the smell. If it is not there, then the jeans do not need to be washed. Maybe months without washing!
Research shows that jeans can go without washing without the growth of harmful bacteria, even after 300 wears. Just remove individual stains without washing the entire product. So it will serve you much longer, because everyone knows that washing spoils even the most expensive denim.
And when the time comes, don't forget to turn your jeans inside out and wash them in cold water at low speed.
Pants and shorts - every 2-4 socks. Pants don't hide dirt as well as denim. And besides, it absorbs more sweat and sebum. So regular washing will not be superfluous.
Shirts and sweaters - after 1-3 socks. The frequency of washing depends on the weather, how close the product fits the body and how long you wear it. After you take off your clothes, smell the underarm area. If there is no smell, hang a shirt on a coat hanger and a sweater on the back of a chair to air the products.
Pajamas - after 1-3 socks. It all depends on how much you sweat at night. And yes, each of us sweats in a dream. And much more than we can imagine - on average, the body removes about a liter of fluid per night.
Washing (and drying) cashmere at home: step by step instructions.
Cashmere is a natural, pleasant to the touch and warm fabric. Things made from this fiber are very much appreciated. However, such products are capricious to wear and require special care. Even a slight deviation from the manufacturer's instructions can lead to irreversible consequences.
Which is better - wash cashmere by hand or dry clean?
First of all, it depends on the specific clothing. Some cashmere items can be washed by hand, while others are best dry-cleaned.
To determine which washing method to choose, you need to read the care label and follow its instructions. If it says “dry clean only”, then it is better to entrust the products to professionals and take them to dry cleaning. If the label says “hand wash” (or even “machine wash”), then you can safely heed this recommendation. Cleaning at home is the best way for both the environment and the family budget.
Cashmere has a delicate texture because it is a natural fiber obtained from goat hair. Therefore, it requires special care. Even sweaters made from his blends must be carefully monitored during washing.
The fact is that cashmere fibers can stretch or shrink due to improper washing. As a result, the thing will be damaged, and something will not be able to be fixed. But if you know how to wash cashmere correctly, problems such as shrinkage, stretching, detergent buildup and pilling will never occur.
Can I use the washing machine to wash cashmere?
Can only be used if the care label says "machine wash".
However, you should not just load the cashmere product with the rest of the laundry, while turning on the normal mode. This fabric requires special cleaning. Experts recommend washing cashmere in a mesh clothing bag in cold water on the most delicate setting without spinning.
However, if the washing machine is not equipped with these functions, then it is not worth the risk, instead it is better to wash the product by hand.
Why is special treatment so important? Hot water and excessive spinning can cause clothing to shrink and wrinkle.
You can wash cashmere in the washing machine, but you should not dry it in it, as high temperatures can change the shape of the cashmere.
How often should I wash cashmere?
Experts recommend washing cashmere after about five wearings. If the product is still pleasant to the touch and smells fresh, then you can continue to wear it.
On the other hand, there is such a thing as excessive washing. This process leads to the formation of pellets and a reduction in service life. Frequent dry cleaning can cause discoloration and can also turn cashmere into a hard and scratchy product.
Although the fibers are extremely delicate, they also usually keep moisture from building up on the body. This means that any skin secretions that are absorbed by the cashmere dry quickly and do not settle on the fabric, reducing the risk of unpleasant odors.
How to wash cashmere by hand?
Cashmere is not a very durable material. It's all about its airy and silky texture. Based on its characteristics, the fibers require special care.
By reading the instructions, you can learn how to safely and effectively wash a cashmere sweater (or any other item made from this fiber). Here are some tips from the pros:
- First, the product is cleaned of stains. If it is still damp, blot with a tissue to absorb excess liquid. Then rinse in cold water to remove the stain.
- The next step is to apply baby shampoo or a cashmere-safe detergent to the soiled areas with a sponge or finger. Then the product is washed again under cold water until the stains completely disappear. After preliminary preparation, the sweater is ready for a full wash.
- Pour water into the basin at a temperature of 80 - 85 degrees or less. Add 1-2 caps of detergent that will not harm the cashmere (1 cap per sweater).
- Immerse the sweater in water for about 1 minute (only one item can be washed in one container). It is better not to soak for a long time, as this can lead to a change in the shape of the sweater. You should also avoid rubbing or twisting clothing.
- Rinse the product with cold clean water until the soap bubbles disappear.
- To dry cashmere clothes, lay them flat on a dry towel. Then roll up the towel and press lightly to remove excess water.
- We unfold the towel and lay out the clothes flat, in the process giving it the desired shape.
- Leave overnight to dry completely. However, some types of cashmere may take longer.
- Aftercare and storage are equally important. We fold cashmere clothes, but never hang them up, otherwise they will lose their shape. We store clothes in a cotton bag - it will protect against dust and moths.
How to wash cashmere in the washing machine
It's tempting to toss a cashmere sweater into the washing machine, but it's not the best option for 100% natural fiber items.
Experts recommend washing such a product by hand, since a mild detergent can be used in the process, constantly monitoring the condition of the clothes. All this is done in order to avoid any problems such as shrinkage, stretching or pilling. With hand washing, you can control every step of the washing process, while with machine washing, you can only rely on many different settings and modes.
