By Carl Ivory
Have you noticed your clothes wear out more easily after a few washes? They fade in colour and lose that feeling of a newly purchased cloth. If you are experiencing the same conundrum, then let us introduce you to a few strategies which can change your laundry routine and keep your clothes fresh and soft for longer
What Causes Wear and Tear of a Fabric?
Once you invest in a new cloth and bring it home, it gets introduced to a range of factors. These include your washing machine, quality of water, detergent and dryer (if used). Mechanical factors, chemical detergents, hard water and heat damage can impact the quality of your clothes significantly.
The tumbling action of an overloaded washing machine, the amount of harsh detergents, bleach and minerals in your water (calcium and magnesium) can weaken the fibre bonds of your clothes, damaging them like no other. This wear and tear over time can cause shrinkage, fibre breakage, and loss of colour, leaving the cloth feeling old and worn out.
How To Keep Your Clothes Feeling Between Washes?
Here are some strategies that you must adopt to keep your clothes feeling soft and new:
- Install a water softener to counter the hard water in your locality
Water softeners are exceptional in removing harsh minerals from hard water. This proactively reduces scaling, possibility of clogged pipes and hard water effects- on detergents (lack of lather). Moreover, while safeguarding your clothes, it also extends the life of your appliances as well. Investing in a new water softener can be a tricky endeavour. A.O. Smith makes this process easy for you with a high-quality water softener that targets hard water scaling to deliver you a plumbing solution that preserves the pristine quality of your bathroom amenities long-term.
- Follow a pre-wash routine
Sort your clothes by colour, fabric type and soil level. The soiled clothes should be treated immediately with stain removal products and a good soak before adding them to your daily washing machine load. It is also beneficial to turn your clothes inside out to protect the design, colour and details on the fabric during the wash.
- Optimise your wash cycle
Once your clothes are segregated, run wash cycles for different fabric types in your washing machine. Ensure you only use the right amount of detergent to ensure optimal cleaning. Moreover, check your washing machine frequently for buildup, mildew or odours.
- Hang your clothes to dry immediately
If you have a dryer, hang your washed clothes out to dry away from direct sunlight immediately to prevent mould growth. Consequently, once they have dried, fold and store them in drawers. This helps ensure moisture does not catch onto them, especially in erratic humid Indian weather.
Conclusion
The road to your clothes feeling new and fresh even after a couple of washes is multifaceted. It involves taking care of the water supplied to your home, following optimal washing techniques, avoiding harsh chemicals and managing heat. These strategies are important if you want to make the most of your fabric and revel in that fresh garment feel for years to come.
