'I'm a laundry expert and here are five things I always do with my washing'
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Washing clothes, bedding and towels is hardly a pleasure but it is still a cleaning chore that must be done often at home, especially if you have a large family. But there are a few things you can do to help maximise each laundry load that may ultimately help you save money in the long run. Rich Handel, a laundry expert at Consumer Reports, shared five tips on TikTok for washing that he always does.
First up is making sure you're washing the right types of items together. "I always separate my clothes - dark from light colours, heavy fabrics from delicate ones. You don't want colour transfer and you don't want your jeans beating up your delicate sweaters," Rich says.
Many people may be tempted to also throw in some fabric softer with their laundry - but Rich disagrees. He goes on: "I always skip the fabric softer. Why? It's a waste of money. It can leave a layer of residue on your clothes that may irritate sensitive skin and also reduce the absorption of towels.".
Something often overlooked is the amount of washing detergent you use, which might often be more than you really need. "Use the right amount of detergent. Save your money and start with the minimum amount. "That's one and a half ounces or about three tablespoons. You can always use a little bit more if it's not getting the load clean," Rich adds. For his fourth tip, he advises you to make sure any clothing stains have been removed before popping them in a dryer as the heat will make the stains "very difficult" to remove.
Finally, he explains: "Zip up and button your jeans and sweatshirts. You don't want them to catch on other clothes and get damaged," before adding in a bonus tip: "Also turn your dark coloured of specially finished jeans inside out when washing them. It'll preserve the finish and they'll be less likely to fade.".
