Doing the laundry doesn’t have to be a pain. Here are some pointers to help make your laundry time fuss-free and efficient.
Prevent shrinking
Using the dryer ensures your laundry can be cleared quickly and conveniently, but take note of best practices to prevent clothes from shrinking! Aside from checking clothing labels and selecting a low temperature setting for delicate materials, it is essential to keep the dryer door closed. This ensures that your laundry does not go through any temperature shock, keeping your clothes in good condition. Choose gentle spin cycles too, as this helps keep fabric in shape.
Create a clutter-free space
Keeping your laundry area neat and tidy ensures you have a hygienic, clutter-free space. Don’t leave bottles of detergent lying around. Instead, pour them into sleek, stylish dispensers that can blend in perfectly with your interiors. The detergent can also be dispensed easily whenever you need, instead of having to haul heavy bottles over the washing machine.
Onehub Simplehuman sensor pump soap dispenser in brushed nickel, $109 , available at Redmart.
Prevent mould
Humidity can cause a problem, as damp clothing can get mouldy. Always ensure that your washed clothes are completely dry before you place them back in the wardrobe, especially in areas such as around the collar, and at the cuffs of long-sleeved shirts where the fabric might be thicker. Air-dry them before keeping them, if need be. Also, avoid packing clothes too tightly, as this causes a lack of air circulation, trapping moisture and creating a damp environment that mould and bacteria thrive on.
Choose a one-size-fits-all solution
If you find yourself always hunched over your ironing board and straining your back, it’s time to replace it with one that’s of the right height. Make sure to keep everything within reach with an all-in-one appliance too, like Miele’s B3847 Fashion Master, which consists of an iron, steam generator and ironing board. With its flexible height settings, the ironing board can be adjusted to fit individual working heights. Ironing no longer needs to be a back-breaking activity!
Fashion Master B3847, $2,999 , available at Miele .
Keep clothes crease-free
There are many ways you can cut down on time spent ironing your clothes, so you can free up more time doing things you enjoy, like spending time with family and friends! When washing laundry, select low speeds (1,200 revolutions per minute, or less), as this results in less wrinkles on clothes. Some dryers also come with anticrease functions, so make full use of them! Of course, it is also important to use an efficient and powerful ironing appliance. For example, Tefal’s Pro Express Care steam generators are said to achieve ideal ironing results in a shorter time compared to steam irons, as the former can produce higher steam output (up to 8 bar steam pressure) to penetrate fabrics more eff ectively.
Tefal Pro Express Care steam irons retail from $739, available at major electronic stores.
Take care of delicate clothes
Take extra care of delicate clothing, such as lingerie, when putting them into washers and dryers. Always use laundry bags for smaller items, as that’ll ensure they do not get tangled up with other pieces of clothing, or get stretched during the wash or dry cycle. Never overload laundry bags, to ensure clothing will be washed more effectively.