The Ultimate Laundry Guide
The Ultimate Laundry Guide
Wondering how to keep your wardrobe in tip-top condition? Whether you’re having a denim dilemma or worried about your woollens, read on to discover our expert laundry tips - from stress-saving suggestions to handy storage solutions.
Select Your Cycle
Keeping your woollens clean needn’t be a tough task - most modern washing machines have a wool cycle, so we suggest reading your care label and starting there. If you’d rather handwash your wool, keep reading for our stress-free steps.
Choose The Right Detergent
Wool can be damaged by the alkaline pH level of many everyday detergents - try handwashing wool with a pH neutral detergent like Clothes Doctor’s eco-friendly cashmere and wool detergent. We love the fragrances of orange oil and Himalayan cedarwood.
Don’t Wash Wool Too Often
Even when taking great care, washing wool too often can cause your knits to lose their colour and softness, so don’t wash them more than you have to.
Handwashing Your Wool
-
Add two-three caps of Clothes Doctor’s eco-wash for wool detergent to a sink filled with cool water.
-
Add your item(s) to the water (make sure they’re inside out), and move them gently to spread the soap. Avoid stretching the wool, as it may lose its shape.
-
Leave your item(s) to soak for up to 30 minutes.
-
Gently rinse with cold water to remove all the detergent, then press gently using your hands or the side of the sink.
-
Remove any excess water with a towel, then leave your item(s) to dry flat - hanging it can cause the fibres to stretch under the weight of the garment.
Wash Your Denim Inside Out
This will help prevent fading and protect its colour - this is due to less friction on the exterior fabric during the washing process, while the interior fabric gets the thorough cleaning it needs.
Try A Cold Wash
If your wash is too hot, the fabric might shrink, which can lead to that super-tight and uncomfortable fit we’ve all experienced before - switch to a cold, delicate cycle to avoid skrinkage and fading.
Always Air Dry
After washing your denim, air dry it – popping jeans in the dryer can easily cause shrinkage and damage. If you’re making the most of the warm weather, avoid harsh sunlight to prevent your jeans from bleaching and fading.
Avoid Overwashing
We recommend only washing your denim when it might seem smelly or dirty. Over-washing your denim can cause the fabric to break down and lose its shape.
STEAM BETWEEN WASHES
Although cotton can be washed regularly, reduce the need for washing by refreshing your clothing with a steamer - try adding Clothes Doctor’s Steamer Water to your machine or spray it directly onto your clothing.
CLEAN ON THE INSIDE
Before washing, turn your item(s) inside out, as most of the dirt is on the inside, and this will help protect against discolouration.
GO LOW
Most cotton can be washed at a low temperature, which is a great way to be more energy efficient while avoiding shrinkage. Clothes Doctor’s Basil & Mandarin Leaf Detergent is perfect on a colder wash, and it smells incredible too!
CREASE-FREE STYLE
Storing cotton on hangers is the best way to prevent wrinkling, especially for shirts and trousers - so we suggest hanging them in the wardrobe, and because cotton is so durable, it shouldn't misshape or warp from being sorted onto hangers.
Effortless Stain Removal
-
Soak up as much of the spillage by dabbing the stained area with a damp cloth.
Flush out the stain from the reverse side of the fabric with warm water, to drive the stain out from the fabric.
-
Apply half a capful of Clothes Doctor’s Tough Love Stain Removal directly to the stain, massage in gently with your fingers, and then leave to soak in warm water for one hour.
If the stain has faded but not totally disappeared, then repeat. When the stain is completely gone, wash as normal.
-
Don’t let the stain dry, and don’t apply any heat (like a dryer or radiator) until you’re sure the stain is gone, as heat can ‘bake’ the stain into the fabric.
Separate, Separate, Separate
Always separate your lights from your dark colours before washing - darker dye will seep into lighter clothing during the washing process, eventually creating a dull, off-shade and potentially ruining your garments. New clothes tend to leak more dye, so avoid washing a new blue shirt or bright red t-shirt with your white wash.
Use The Perfect Detergent
When caring for your whites, look out for a specialist detergent that contains optical brighteners - this substance transforms UV light waves to enhance blue light and minimize the amount of yellow light to make things appear whiter. A great tip for making your whites shine!
Choose the No.2 Signature Eco Wash by Clothes Doctor for a detergent with optical brighteners that also works at low temperatures - easy peasy.
Direct heat can impact the colour of your clothes - although you might want to wear your just-washed favourites right away, we always recommend air drying (instead of placing items on a radiator) to avoid colour transfer.