BED, BATH & LAUNDRY
Laundry 101
By Linda Cobb
LAUNDRY SHOULD BE EASY, RIGHT? You’ve got a washer, a dryer and
detergent; you throw the clothes in the washer; they come out clean and
you toss them in the dryer, praying you won’t have to iron them. Not so fast.
Laundry is easy, but follow these guidelines and you’ll be doing laundry like
a pro every time.
The basics
• Sort. Don’t just pick up an armful of clothes and dump them in the washer.
Sort the clothes, not only by color, but also by fabric type and weight. Rough
fabrics, such as heavy denim, can snag and damage delicate fabrics.
• Choose a detergent that best suits your needs. Laundry detergent is
available in powder or liquid form, and many brands have additives to help
brighten and protect the color of your clothes. Or you might prefer products
that are free of extra additives.
Once you’ve picked a brand that works for you, the most important
thing is to read the instructions on the package and make sure that you’re
using the right amount of detergent and the correct water temperature. With
detergent, using more doesn’t mean that it will clean better. Too much detergent can leave fabrics coated with a soapy residue. If you are using powder
detergent, be sure that it dissolves well. If it does not completely dissolve or
if you are using too much, you will find white powdery residue on your
LINDA COBB, the Queen of Clean®,
is the bestselling author of seven
books about the joys of cleaning.
Cobb began earning her title when
she owned and ran of one of
Michigan’s biggest cleaning companies. The company specialized in
some of the most difficult cleaning
challenges, including disaster restoration and fire and smoke damage.
More information about her, along
with additional cleaning tips, is available at
www.queenofclean.com.
