Have you ever wondered why your laundry sometimes smells bad or looks faded after washing? The reality is that mastering the proper washing technique is an art. If you've always been just tossing in a detergent, picking any random wash cycle, and crossing your fingers, it's time for a change!
Transform your laundry days with just a few easy tweaks! Embrace a new washing routine and revel in the reward: your clothes won't just stay fresh and pristine, they'll also radiate an irresistibly fabulous fragrance.
Set the Right Washing Cycle for Different Fabrics
The key to fresh and clean laundry is to set the correct wash cycle for your fabrics. Each fabric needs a different kind of care.
For example, cotton can be washed in warmer water, while delicate fabrics like silk, lace, or wool require gentler washing cycles. Colder water is also suitable for dark colours to prevent fading.
For heavily soiled or stained clothes, choose a heavy-duty wash cycle or a sanitising cycle. These cycles with high temperatures kill more bacteria and thoroughly clean fabrics such as linen, denim, and microfibre.
Always read the clothing label for instructions on how to wash properly.
Choose the Right Laundry Detergent
The quality of your washed laundry doesn’t just depend on the selected wash setting, but also on the laundry detergent you choose. We often choose the detergent before deciding what kind of clothing we’re going to wash. It’s important to stop and think about which detergent is best for you.
You can choose between a powder, a gel, or capsules. The choice should be based on the type and colour of your clothes, and that's why on today's market, you can find specialised detergents for dark, white, or coloured items.
For Delicate Fabrics, Go for a Mild Detergent
When washing delicate fabrics such as silk, lace, and cashmere, the key to preserving their quality is choosing a mild detergent. Powder laundry detergents can damage fibres and cause colour fading, pilling, and wrinkling.
Look for a laundry detergent specially designed for delicate fabrics, which:
- is hypoallergenic and free of dyes and perfumes which can irritate the skin and damage fabrics,
- is non-toxic and pH neutral. Neutral or slightly acidic pH (around 5 to 8) is the most gentle for most fabrics,
- and does not contain bleaches that can weaken the fibres.
Use the Right Amount of Detergent
Did you know that the scoop or cap that comes with your detergent can hold up to 10 times the amount of detergent you actually need to use?
If you use so much extra detergent, over time you may find unpleasant odours building up in your laundry. To keep your laundry fresh and smelling great, it’s important not to overdo it with the detergent, especially when washing smaller loads of laundry.
Select a Lower Spin-drying
Choose a low-spin or no-spin option. High-speed spinning may damage the fabric.
To protect delicate laundry in the washing machine, place it into a mesh laundry bag or an old pillowcase and tie it up. This prevents snagging and twisting.
Don’t Overload your Washing Machine
To keep your laundry smelling good, make sure you don't load too many items into the washing machine at once. If the washing machine is too full, it prevents water and laundry detergent from mixing properly. Additionally, an overloaded washing machine won’t wring the clothes out efficiently.
Take the Clothes out of the Washing Machine As Soon As Possible
Modern washing machines are designed to minimise the formation of odours and mould, but we recommend removing the laundry immediately after the washing cycle ends. Try to do it within 1 hour of the washing cycle finishing. Leaving washed laundry in the washing machine for a long time can lead to the formation of unpleasant odours, as the damp environment is ideal for the growth of bacteria and mould. If you are not able to remove the laundry within an hour, do it as soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours of the end of the wash cycle. Leaving the laundry in the washing machine for too long can also reduce the effectiveness of used laundry perfumes or fabric softeners.
If you have a dryer at home, try to take the laundry out as soon as possible after washing, as its use significantly reduces the risk of odour and mould formation, since the dryer removes most of the moisture.
Finally, Throw In Laundry Perfume
To give your laundry a fresh and pleasant scent that will last even after drying, add laundry perfume to your laundry. Products such as Puella laundry perfume are specifically designed to give your clothes a long-lasting pleasant and fresh scent.
Explore our exquisite range of laundry perfumes, a perfect substitute for fabric softeners. They leave your laundry soft and infused with unique fragrances like lavender-vanilla, citrusy florals, Ylang Ylang, and spiced fruit. A simple switch for a delightful sensory experience!