Charles The Butler answered the most commonly asked laundry questions
These days, we’re all trying to make our to-do lists less tedious by getting back to basics! When it comes to laundry there are many mishaps that many of us have encountered. We asked our viewers to share their top questions related to laundry and got our trusted friend, Charles The Butler, to give us all the answers we need!
How can I eliminate static when using my drying machine?
Eco-friendlier methods:
- To completely eliminate the problem, hang the garments instead of using the dryer. To do this, make sure your washer is on a very high-long spin cycle so it removes as much water as possible.
- Reduce the drying time as over-drying is one of the causes of static.
- Dry your synthetic items separately. Nylon and polyester are contributors to static, so dry those two items in a different load than the rest of your laundry.
- Introduce moisture into the garment before or while you are wearing it. A fine mist of water from a spray bottle can make a bigger difference than you may think.
Traditional methods:
- Use dryer sheets in the load.
- Rub a dryer sheet over your clothing while wearing it to reduce the static.
- Use white vinegar in the rinse cycle of the washer.
Is there a way to get rid of white residue on dark clothes from hard water?
Hard water refers to the mineral content of water; the “harder” your water is, the more minerals you have. When the water inhibits the laundry detergent from cleaning, it can leave the residue. According to Procter & Gamble, increasing the amount of soap that you use will make the wash more effective and prevent this from happening.
Can my dish towels be washed with other types of house towels?
From bath towels to kitchen dish towels to microfibre towels, you likely have a variety of towels in your home. Ideally, these should all be washed separately. Dish towels often contain lots of bacteria from the kitchen and you’ll want to clean them in a sanitizing cycle to kill that bacteria. Dish towels also often contain natural cooking residues, such as grease, stains and proteins. These should also be washed separately to treat the stains as needed and avoid transferring those items onto your bath towels.
What is the best iron to buy?
The first thing you should consider is how often you iron. For those that only do the odd shirt here and there, most everyday irons will do the trick. However, if you iron daily you should look at the number of holes in the iron as this is what allows for moisture and steam to be directly applied to your clothing items. The more holes there are, the better! For those that iron everything in their home, from bedsheets to blouses, a steam generator iron is the way to go. Not only does it have the ability to create the amount of steam you need, but you can iron regularly without needing to refill regularly. This option will also give you a higher steam output to create up to three times as much steam than a standard iron.
What is the difference between liquid bleach and oxygen bleach?
The pure chemical of bleach is both potent and present in both cleaning products, but the difference is the amount of concentration. Full bleach liquid is in the most concentrated and powerful form. When used, this can easily deteriorate the fibres in clothing and strip the colour. On the other hand, oxygen bleach is less concentrated and will traditionally cause much less damage to your clothing but will help you achieve the same results.
