Reviewed By: Devyani Kharbanda
Written By: Aquib Nawab
Credits: Haier India
Taking a little extra time to sort clothes by colors, fabrics, and delicates before washing can make a big difference in preventing issues like colors bleeding and clothes getting damaged. Sort lights, darks, towels, sheets, delicates, etc. into separate piles so you can customize wash cycles.
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Don't just throw that stained shirt straight into the laundry. First, apply a targeted stain remover stick, spray or gel directly onto set-in stains like grease, ink, grass, etc. Let it soak for 5-10 minutes to penetrate the fabric. This pre-treating lifts the stain so it doesn't get set in more by hot water.
Credits: Haier India
Washing similar items together allows you to customize wash cycles to their needs. For example, wash towels and sheets together on hot to sanitize with an extra rinse cycle. Or, wash delicates together on a cold, gentle cycle. Grouping like items together gets them cleaner.
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Washing clothes in cold water not only saves energy, but is better for most fabrics. Hot and warm water can cause fading of bright colors and extra shrinking of fabrics. Reserve hot water for very dirty loads only. For most clothes, cold water gets them clean without damage.
Credits: Haier India
Dryer sheets can leave a gradual wax buildup on clothes that reduces absorbency. For natural softening, use 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar during the rinse cycle. Or try wool dryer balls to soften and reduce static without chemicals.
Credits: Haier India
Be diligent about cleaning the lint filter before every single load, without fail. Lint buildup forces air through slower, making the dryer work harder, take longer, and risk overheating. Quickly rinse built up lint from the filter to keep it running safely.
Credits: Haier India
Lighter fabrics like athletic wear and heavier items like jeans need different drying times and heat settings. Always dry similar fabrics together to avoid over-drying lighter items and under-drying heavier ones. Customize cycles accordingly.
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Loading too many articles of clothing into the washing machine means they can't circulate well enough to get fully clean. Leave room for clothes to move, following load size recommendations for your model.
Credits: Haier India
Reusable wool or rubber dryer balls are a great natural fabric softener alternative. As they tumble, they gently separate clothes allowing airflow which reduces static. They soften without any added chemicals.
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Dirt, bacteria, and detergent residue can gradually build up in your washing machine. Prevent this by running a hot monthly clean cycle with either white vinegar or bleach to remove buildup and disinfect inside.
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