Doing laundry involves more than simply placing clothes into the washer and pressing start — it requires understanding how to care for fabrics properly. By interpreting care labels correctly, using the right settings, and following a few basic best practices, you can extend the life of your clothing, towels, and linens by avoiding unnecessary wear and damage.
How to Iron Correctly
Before you begin ironing, check for stains. Ironing over any stains can set them deeper, making them harder to remove. Be sure to follow any instructions on the clothing label itself as well.
Can You Iron Wet Clothes?
Yes, you can iron damp or slightly wet clothes, but they should not be dripping wet. Running clothes through a spin cycle in the washing machine before you iron will remove the excess water, allowing you to smooth out wrinkles efficiently while speeding up the drying process. Then, you can hang the item up to air dry the rest of the way.
How Do You Avoid Burn Marks From the Iron?
Set your iron to the appropriate temperature for the fabric. Natural fibers like linen and cotton usually require a higher temperature setting. Wool, polyester, and silk require a medium setting, while nylon, acrylic, and Lycra garments require a low-temperature setting. Also, keep the iron moving and use an ironing board cover or pressing cloth for protection.
How to Use the Washer and Dryer Safely
Before placing clothes in the washer and dryer, remember to separate dark colors from light ones and heavy fabrics from delicate ones. Mixing garments can cause uneven drying, damage to delicate garments, and unsightly color transfer. Avoid washing delicate items in a hot water cycle with heavy agitation. It can shrink garments and cause them to lose their shape.
How Do You Avoid Shrinking Clothes in the Dryer?
To keep your clothes from shrinking in the dryer, avoid high-heat washer settings and heavy-duty spin cycles. Select a gentle cycle and use a mesh laundry bag to protect delicate items. Choose a low heat or air-dry setting for your dryer, and always stick to the care instructions on the garment’s label. If you are concerned about the tumble dryer shrinking your garments, skip the dryer and line dry them instead.
How Long Can Clothes Sit in the Washer?
Leaving damp clothes in the washer for more than eight to 12 hours can cause them to develop a musty odor, mildew, or mold due to the trapped moisture. You’ll have to rewash the garments.
How to Read Laundry Labels
Reading laundry labels helps you care for your clothing, preventing shrinking, fading, and damage so they look great for longer. Here are the most important ones to remember:
- Hand wash: A hand in the tub means you should hand wash the garment, typically in cool or lukewarm water.
- Do not wash: A tub with a cross means you should not wash the item at home. Take it to a dry cleaner instead.
- Dry clean only: A circle that’s not filled in indicates that the garment should be dry cleaned only. If the circle has an A, P, or F inside, it indicates which type of solvent the dry cleaner should use. Don’t risk ruining the garment by washing it at home.
- Cold wash: A tub symbol with a single dot indicates you should wash the item in cold water — between 65°F and 85°F.
- Medium wash: A tub symbol with two dots means the item should be washed in water no warmer than 105°F.
- Hot wash: If you see a tub symbol with three dots, the item can be washed in hot water — up to 120°F.
Take the ‘Dry Clean Only’ label seriously. Manufacturers know that the fabric is delicate and easily damaged by water or heat. Dry cleaners have solvents that don’t require water, enabling them to clean these items without damage.
Trust the Laundry Experts at Classic Drycleaners
If you’re unsure about how to clean a garment, see a professional. Entrust delicate, rayon-blend fabrics, lined, and expensive garments to the professionals to avoid damaging them. Also, if there is a fabric you aren’t familiar with or stains you don’t know how to care for, take it to the dry cleaners. They have the knowledge, tools, and experience to deal with stubborn stains and delicate fabrics.
Following our advice can help you avoid common laundry mistakes, but for perfectly cared-for clothes, linens, towels, and more, leave it to the experts at Classic Drycleaners. We take the guesswork and hassle out of laundry so you can enjoy clean, fresh, and beautifully laundered garments and household items. Contact us online today or sign up for pickup and delivery.
