Q&A for How to Wash Your Clothes

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  • Question
    Does vinegar sanitize laundry?
    Susan Stocker
    Green Cleaning Expert
    Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
    Green Cleaning Expert
    Expert Answer
    You can use vinegar to help sanitize and deodorize. Use vinegar rather than detergent and use hot water. Pause the cycle for an hour to let the vinegar work into the fabric.
  • Question
    Can I wash all of my clothes together?
    Susan Stocker
    Green Cleaning Expert
    Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
    Green Cleaning Expert
    Expert Answer
    Separate white fabrics out from the rest of your laundry, or else they may get discolored from your other clothes.
  • Question
    Is it okay to only put two clothing items in a washer?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but set the washer on a small load. Keep in mind that you will be using a lot of water to wash those two articles of clothing. Consider adding something else into the washer as well, or saving them for when you have a larger load to wash; this way, you will be saving water.
  • Question
    Should I soak my clothes if they are badly stained?
    Community Answer
    Of course. Water will help dilute the stain. Add a little amount of detergent, and let it soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the stain.
  • Question
    What happen if I leave clothes in the washing machine too long?
    Community Answer
    Depending on how long you leave them in there, mildew can grow on the wet clothes. The thing is, it sure doesn't take long for this to happen, so removing your clothes within a few hours of washing them is essential to keep them smelling fresh.
  • Question
    Should I turn all clothes inside out before I wash them?
    Community Answer
    Not everything. If your clothes are very soiled, leave them as is. But take note that it is recommended to turn darks and jeans inside out.
  • Question
    Should I wash towels on cool?
    Community Answer
    No. You should wash towels and bedding on hot to remove odors and germs that build up from body fluids, skin cells, and mildew buildup from being damp.
  • Question
    I've recently discovered that my washer agitator doesn't move, as I kept pulling smelly clothes from the wash. If the clothes were washed and dried and didn't get clean, will I be able to get the dirty smell out? How?
    Community Answer
    That's an easy fix. You probably need to change your agitator cogs. Check YouTube for some tutorials. Also, white vinegar, about 1 cup per load, should help with any odors and won't leave a vinegar smell on your clothes either.
  • Question
    Can I turn my clothes inside out before cleaning them?
    Community Answer
    You can if you want to, but it also depends on what you are cleaning. If you are washing something with a print on it, such as a graphic t-shirt, you would want to turn it inside out to keep the design from fading. If you are washing something that is heavily soiled on the outside, you would not want to turn the item inside out.
  • Question
    Can you get out the white stains left on the underarms of shirts and dresses by deodorants?
    Community Answer
    Use a dryer sheet. Just rub the dryer sheet on the spot where you have the deodorant stain and it should come right off.
  • Question
    What do I wash grey clothes with?
    Community Answer
    If you wish to keep them light grey, you can wash with whites. Any other grey should just be washed with blacks.
  • Question
    The tag on the clothes states dry-clean only. Are there any washing options?
    Community Answer
    You could use an iron or a steam cleaner to steam clean it. For most clothing, you usually can hand wash them even. However, if it's something such as a suit, avoid doing so as the fabric is too heavy.
  • Question
    Can baking soda be used?
    Community Answer
    Yes and no. Baking soda isn't really a cleaning substance, but you can use it to make washing soda. To do this, you can simply lay out some baking soda on a tray and bake it at about 400 degrees for 30 minutes. This will do the job of washing soda, as well as bleach (though it won't damage your clothes like bleach will).
  • Question
    Can I wash my clothes with pod detergent?
    Community Answer
    Yes, there is nothing wrong with that. Just be sure that the pods contain a quality recognizable detergent; otherwise, you risk your clothes being ruined in the wash or not being properly cleaned.
  • Question
    How do I wash and dry jeans?
    Community Answer
    Turn the jeans inside out and zipper up. Wash cold on permanent press, then hang dry right side out, pockets in and zipped up.
  • Question
    I washed a black sweater with my bright yellow Cabi pants in cold water but now they are a dingy yellow. I did not dry them in the dryer. Can I restore the bright yellow color?
    Community Answer
    Yes, possibly. Use a second,separate wash for fuzz transfer. Then, put it in a pail of water to treat and soak it.
  • Question
    How do I clean underwear?
    Community Answer
    Soak them in mild detergent overnight, then rub smoothly using hands because a brush might destroy the soft fabric. Then thoroughly rinse with clean water.
  • Question
    If we don't rinse properly what may be some drawbacks to the clothes?
    Community Answer
    The stains/dirt might not get washed out properly, and you will have laundry detergent left on your clothes, which is annoying and not too healthy (chemicals).
  • Question
    How do I wash socks?
    Community Answer
    Soak them in mild detergent water for overnight and rub them using hands in the morning. Rinse thoroughly with clean water
  • Question
    How do I get dry skin flakes out of clothes?
    Community Answer
    Put the wash cycle on heavy. Put some baking soda and perhaps some bleach.
  • Question
    Can I wash light colored clothes with dark colored clothes?
    Community Answer
    You can, but some of the color from the dark colored clothes could rub off onto the light colored clothes and stain them. It's safer to wash them separately.
  • Question
    How do I figure out why my clothes smell bad after being washed?
    Community Answer
    Trial and error. Try using less soap, different soap, cleaning the machine, using vinegar, and/or transferring your clothes to the dryer immediately after washing.
  • Question
    What materials do I need to wash my clothes?
    Community Answer
    You'll need a washing machine, laundry detergent and water to wash your clothes. If no machine is available, you'll need a large tub or sink.
  • Question
    How do you wash a red cotton shirt so it won't fade?
    Community Answer
    Turn it inside out, and wash it with dark colors.
  • Question
    Can I put the clothes in the washer before turning it on?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    Can a 3 year old's clothing be washed with adult clothes?
    Community Answer
    Yes. The size of the clothing does not matter. Children's clothes can be washed with any other clothes. However, you may want to use fragrance free detergent for very young children.
  • Question
    When I wash my clothes, I have red oily spots on my clothes. What is causing this?
    Community Answer
    It may be that your colored clothes are bleeding onto your white/light clothes, or it may be a problem with your washing machine. Perhaps the rinse cycle is not adequately rinsing the detergent from your clothes. It might also be oily residue from some component inside the machine itself.
  • Question
    What washing option should I use if my clothing is multicolored, including cream?
    Community Answer
    Wash it with other multicolored clothes. Do not wash it with whites, as the dye could transfer.
  • Question
    How do I get rid of lice that are living in my clothes?
    Community Answer
    Simply wash using hot water to kill lice, and dry using hot air. Lice cannot survive in hot areas.
  • Question
    How do I wash a red t-shirt with white lettering? Lights or darks?
    Community Answer
    Turn it inside out and wash it with your brights. That way it doesn't dye your lights, or get dyed by your darks.
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