Caring for your clothes between uses and washes
Ironing is a staple when it comes to caring for your clothing, but there are ways to keep garments and household materials fresh and clean between uses and washes as well. From optimal preservation tactics and hygiene to making sure you kill germs on your laundry, discover how to best care for your garments and help them look, feel and smell great for longer.
Removing odors from your garments
One easy way to guarantee that your laundry loads smell fresh is to make sure to remove it from the washer as soon as the cycle is finished. If you leave damp clothes sitting around, it doesn’t take long for odors to settle in. When it’s time to dry your items, air dry whenever possible. Try out new detergents too: some specify that they come with longer-lasting fragrances. Don’t forget to always read the instructions and the labels on your clothing, though, to make sure you’re caring for them correctly. If you’re on-the-go or travelling and want to keep your clothes smelling great, don’t forget a small bottle of freshener. A dash of this on your clothes will keep them smelling fresh, but make sure you don’t use them directly on items that stain easily to avoid unwanted blotches.
Hygienic laundry loads
Laundry may seem like a way to keep things clean in and of itself, but there are other things you can do to guarantee hygienic, germ-free clothes for yourself and your family. Baby bibs, underwear, gym clothes and bed linens are more prone to germs and bacteria, so when you wash these and similar items make sure you use a laundry sanitizer: this will help kill germs even if you wash on a lower temperature and if you mix special items (like your baby’s clothing) with general laundry. Wash towels and dishcloths separately and change and wash bed linens once a week. Keeping your washing machine clean is important as well. From a quick rub with a disinfectant wipe to a deeper clean every few months, ensuring your machine is clean will help keep ensure that what you put in it comes out as fresh and clean as possible.
