1. Prepare your clothes for washing properly
Before you put your clothes into the washing machines - make sure you remove everything from any pockets, properly turn out socks and unroll sleeves or cuffs. Place delicate items like knitted jumpers or lingerie in a mesh bag for added protection.
Remove any pins, buckles, or loose items - zip zippers and secure Velcro. Don’t do up buttons though as this can stretch the button holes and rip off the buttons during the wash.
The next step is to separate your laundry, you’ll want to wash different colours and fabrics separately and heavily soiled laundry into their own washes. Try and keep items with zippers and buttons away from knits and lingerie. Wash and dry heavier items like towels separately from lighter weight clothes to prevent damage.
2. Choose the right temperature
Selecting the correct water temperature for your load of laundry is one of the most important steps to a successful wash.
Cold water works best for delicate fabrics, shrinkable items and sensitive dark colours that are susceptible to bleeding.
Warm water should be used for man-made fabrics or moderately stained clothes.
Hot water is best for bedding, towels, whites and heavily stained clothes like oil or grease stains (not all together though).
3. Select the right detergent
Powdered detergents are good for day-to-day loads due to their versatility and price. They are not always the best for washing in cold water though as they don’t always dissolve properly which can leave white powdery residue on clothing.
Liquid detergents are usually better for pre-treating stains due to the higher density of cleaning enzymes in the formula.
For those with sensitive skin or sensitivities to fragrance, look for unscented detergent and ones free from dyes.
4. Use the right amount of detergent
One of the more common mistakes when doing laundry is using too much detergent. Putting in too much liquid or powdered detergent can cause your clothes to remain dirty as too many soap suds are left in the wash, trapping dirt and soapy water on your clothing.
If your clothes come out of the wash smelling bad, this could be the reason. Try using less than the recommended amount for your washer and see.
5. Treat stains quickly
The most effective way to treat a stain is by acting quickly and before it sets. As soon as possible after your clothes have been stained, rinse or soak it in cold water to get out the offending material. Be sure to scoop up any solids with a dull edge and blot liquids with a clean cloth from the outside – in to avoid spreading.
Treat the stain before washing by applying a good quality stain remover. Wash the item per the fabric care instructions. If the stain is still visible after being washed, do not put it in the dryer. Re-apply stain remover and re-wash until it is no longer visible.
6. Reduce fading
Faded colours can cause even the most expensive clothes to look worn out very quickly. By turning dark coloured garments inside out before washing, you can reduce friction and wear to the visible side reducing the dull, warn out appearance to your clothes.
When whites are beginning to go grey or yellow, it could be because you are washing in water that is too cold. White clothes need hotter water to achieve the best results. You may also be overloading the washing machine and combining really dirty clothes with your whites leaving dirt residue even after washing. The resettled dirt will make them look dull.
7. Avoid colours running
Be sure to always sort your clothes correctly to prevent colours bleeding or running into more delicate, lighter colours. Nobody wants their white t-shirt stained pink or blue by a loose sock or pair of underwear. Not all clothes are colourfast and some garments should be washed individually before combining in a bigger load of washing.
To test if something is colourfast before you wash it, you can wet a cottonball and rub it on a less visible part of the fabric. If the dye comes off onto the cotton, then it is not colourfast and you will need to wash the item separately.
8. Reduce wrinkles
Using fabric softener or a dryer sheet will help to reduce wrinkles when washing fabrics. Selecting the lowest dryer temperature that will still get the job done will also leave your clothes less wrinkly.
By removing your clothes from the dryer as quick as possible and folding immediately or hanging them will also leave them looking crisp.
9. Know when to dry clean
Some garments really need to be treated by a professional as there is no good way to clean them yourself. Don’t take the chance washing delicate fabrics like leather, fur or sequins yourself. Suit and formal dresses should be cared for by a trusted dry-cleaner.
10. Keep your clothes clean
Prevent unnecessary laundry with practical clothing maintenance and hygiene. Apply deodorant, perfume and hair products before getting dressed to avoid chemicals that can soil or stain your clothes. Be sure to take care of stains as soon as possible so they do not harden. And at the end of the day, change into something more comfortable and hang up your clothes to allow the fabric to air out.
The Noble Park Laundromat is trusted by locals across Melbourne's South Eastern Suburbs.
I live in an apartment and don't own a washing machine. I take my clothes to the Noble Park Laundromat because there is so much parking and the location is convenient for me.
This place is fantastic. I washed all my family's clothes and duvets after a massive 'spring clean'. Excellent and clean facilities and very reasonably priced. I can't recommend this place enough!
Modern laundromat, you can pay with coins or your card. You can get detergent, fabric softeners and other washing supplies from the vending machine. It definitely has all you need.