Is It Laundry Day Already?

Laundry. The chore that is never done. That feeling of accomplishment you get when you see the empty laundry basket and know that all items have been washed, dried, folded, and put away lasts only as long as it takes to throw the next piece of dirty clothing in it, which is usually about 10 seconds later. And let's face it, we rarely have everything washed, dried, folded, and put away. 

Laundry is one chore we hear people complain about on a regular basis so in our quest to help you find more quality time in your life, and clean better and smarter along the way, we have some laundry tips to share:

• Preparation takes time so enlist your family for help. Provide each family member with their own laundry basket and make it their responsibility to have their clothes wash ready.

• What is wash ready? Zippers zipped, snaps closed, velcro secured, pockets emptied, socks unfurled, cuffs unrolled, and delicates turned inside out.

• Oh no, a stain! It's best if you catch the stain early and treat it before it sets. Scoop up solids with a dull edge and blot liquids with a clean white cloth from the outside. Treat stains before washing. Carefully examine the clothing after the wash cycle to be sure the stain is fully removed before placing in the dryer.

• Which cycle? We love technology with lots of settings and gadgets because we feel it must be capable of doing an amazing job, but if we don't know the proper way to use the settings and gadgets, they're useless. The regular cycle on the washing machine is best for sturdy and dirty clothes. The permanent press cycle is fine for the average load and the delicate cycle should be used for lacy and loosely woven fabrics. Use hot water for whites, warm water for the average load and cold water for bright colors.

• Fresh, fluffy towels! Wash towels every three to four days and do not use fabric softener which can actually cause the fabric to stiffen. Wash white towels in non-chlorine bleach on the hottest setting.

• Dryer settings are simple. Most machines have automatic settings that let you choose how dry you want the clothes instead of setting the machine for a specific time. The permanent press setting has a cool down cycle at the end to reduce wrinkling.

Organize the laundry area and create a routine with other family members. Again, give each person as much responsibility as they are capable of.  From all of us at Cleaned To Perfection, happy washing!