In cold water is the best way to go because it gets the stains out and the colors won't fade. Warm or hot water tends to make your clothes fade as well as bleed into other clothes. So always use cold water to extend the life of your clothes.
When hanging them on the clothes line, turn your good clothes inside out so the sun won't fade them. Old clothes it doesn't matter but your good clothes always turn them inside out so they won't fade. I've made my clothes last so much longer than they would have if I didn't turn them inside out. In fact, a lot of my clothes wore out and got holes in them before they faded. I got a kick out of that and now I have to pass on the learning experience.
Good luck!
[question posted by CatsandDogs]
responses and comments:
another hint my mom gave to me, dont do the last rinsing of clothes with the washing machine but do it manually and add some vinegar to the rinsing water, it will protect the color of the clothes, too. After doing the last rinse manually you can put them back to the washing machine to tumble so they are not dripping wet when you hang them on the clothes line. [book1962]
my mom has also told me that vinegar in the washing machine will damage the machine (dont know, whether the metal parts or the plastic......). [book1962]
You know, Cats, I have heard that but I just don't get the rationale for it. I mean the clothes turned inside out still get sun on the inside and the fibers are exposed to sunlight. I don't use a clothes line, but if we ever do I may try this. I have also heard people say they wash their clothes inside out...that they are supposed to get cleaner... I don't get that either since the water saturates the clothes. I don't doubt it, but just can't figure how it would really help. But you know for yourself that it works for you.. and I believe yousurrender... the rationale is what I am looking for... the reason it works?happy [OreoCookie3]
happyThanks for the BR sweety! I talked to SIL about your house.. but said we would be going the interstate and not stopping in in Charleston after all.. so we will be going straight to DC and then on to NY. [OreoCookie3]
And if you do dry them in a clothes dryer, but have problem with static cling on the inside of clothes, turn them inside out, mist with a bit of water, then put back in the dyrer with a dryer sheet and you'll be fine. We always wash our clothes on cold water. It saves energy by not using the water heater and IMO, the clothes are just as clean washed in cold water as they are in warm or hot water. [MooPile]
I use fabric softner in my washer so I don't have the static cling problem however, that is a good idea to use if your clothes are dry and full of static. I agree, hot warm or hot water wastes energy and money, cold water doesn't. [CatsandDogs]
hahahah thanx for those tips! do you want to come and help me or do my laundry for me? lol... but those are some really good tips... but you also forgot to mention that if you wash your clothes with cold water you also save energry and it is much better for the environment! so that is another big plus, maybe not for your clothes and making them last long and not fade but it is still a plus, or bonus lol [xxxitaliaxxx13]
No thank you. You dirty your clothes, you wash your clothes! LOL I'll stick to mine and my hubby's. rasp Yes that is true, cold water does save on the energy bill and that of course would put a smile on anybody's face! lol [CatsandDogs]
I wash my clothes in cold water too. I wash my towels in warm water, and all sheets in hot water. I didn't know about hanging them up inside out. thank you. [shymurl]
I wash all of my clothes in cold water so they won't fade and so the colors won't run. If I worry about sanitation, then I'll add a disinfectant to the water. Not only that but it saves on the energy bill as well. Glad to be of help! [CatsandDogs]
I've always washed my whites in hot...and my colors in cold...I never mix my loads for fear of having problems...I don't have a clothes line so I just throw everything in the dryer....and adjust the setting accordingly...They even have detergent out just for cold water use...thanks for the tips....*smiles* [Feona1962]
I was thinking of buying OxyClean to whiten my whites, but I will try Calgon first.. [Feona1962]
Well my Machine heats the water so I can't stop that lol But thanks for the tip about hanging the Clothes up inside out as I would have never known that but I guess it really is common sense if I think about it Thanks Sweetie [gabs8513]
You don't have a setting on your machine where you can change the water to cold? It would be much better on your clothes if you could use cold water instead of hot and it would save some money on your energy bill too. [CatsandDogs]
I wash all my clothes in cold water, because I am too lazy to take the time to sort them out. Besides, I do not have very many white clothes anyway. [Rozie37]
Ahhhh lazy Rozie, huh? lol Just kidding gal!! I mix my clothes too meaning the jeans and color clothes because once they've been washed a few times, the strong coloring has depleted enough that it won't run into my other clothes. The only color I hate to wash is RED... UGH! It bleeds so easily and so hard to get out. [CatsandDogs]
Hey cats. I usually wash my clothes in warm or hot water at the laundry mat, i figure that its better to wash in hot there cause i dunno who had what in teh washer before me! lol. I wash my hubby's work clothes in HOT HOT HOT water cause they are stinky and that seems to help.. am i wrong ? cold water doesn't seem to make as much suds! [Sissygrl]
Well well well... gal, my dad and I got into an arguement about suds. He says that suds isn't what cleans your clothes and I say that I like seeing the suds because it tells me how much I have in the washer and if I need more. I couldn't get him to understand that I understood him that they don't clean but the detergent does but he couldn't understand that I liked seeing the suds because like I said, it tells me how much detergent I have in the machine. So that said, I'm sure you get my drift here, it's not the suds that do the cleaning but the detergent is. My suggestion is if you're going to the laundry mat, I'd take some disinfectent and spray the inside of the washing machine to be sure all germs are killed then do your laundry as usual but with cold water so you'll save the coloring of your clothing. Hot water makes the color of your clothes fade terribly. I hope that helps! [CatsandDogs]
Cold water is better for the environment as well from what I have read. We usually wash our clothes on cold. We have been doing it for years. It helps with the electric bill too. It keeps it down more. [nangel78]
Hey there! Someone like me!! LOL Thank you for backing me up here!! Love your avatar! My God daughter loves Hello Kitty! [CatsandDogs]
Thank you I just had my husband someone who don't know how to wash clothes in the 1st place tried to tell my I need (suppose) to was my all clothes in warm water. So I natural said(told him) I want him to wash his clothes and I'll wash the rest of the house and lets see who clothes look better(LOL) then when he read this post his whole attitude change. I think I should've showed him this discussion after our little experiment. But I always win. And yes I also was my whites in cold water because they come out much cleaner and fresher(brighter)to me. but I agree with you and thank you for sharing your expereince with us(hubby especially LOL) [hardworkingmom]
ROFLMAO!!!!! You go girl! You go girl!! I can't stop laughing!! We women know what we're doing, don't we?! [CatsandDogs]
That's a good way.I always wash my clothes separately,wash dark color at the same time,and light color with light color. [gxnfly]
It's the best way for it extends the life of your clothes and you save on your energy bill. Do you mean you separate your dark clothes from the lighter colors and then there is whites? [CatsandDogs]
I do most of my wash in cold water, catsanddogs. I agree that it extends the life of your clothes and prevents colors from bleeding. I do like to occassionally do my load of towels in warm for a more thorough cleaning. And if my son has ever had 'an accident' causing urine to get on his clothes or sheets I feel like warm water is necessary for the same reason. [makingpots]
Actually cold water does clean just as well as warm water does. It's the detergent that does the cleaning. If you switched and washed all your clothes in cold water, your energy bill will go down. However, if you want to disinfect, you could always add some kind of disinfectant to do that. [CatsandDogs]
My eco-friendly freak input: Use vinegar in the rinse as a fabric softener and odor destroyer (no your clothing won't smell like vinegar!) [primalmom]
Well it leaves the clothing soft..whether you line dry or dryer-dry. Whether you wear the clothes that day or the next week, they'll be soft. The difference is that it doesn't leave that nasty carcinogenic film on clothes that softeners do. You may not have noticed it but that "soft" feeling is actually a nasty film rather than true softeness. Once you use natural stuff and then go back.. it's really a gross realization of how badly your clothes feel and smell. [primalmom]
I do it all the time....turn my clothes inside out. And if it's too sunny and my really good clothes, I dry in the shade. I don't even do the whole cycle...I just do the wash and rinse and let it drip dry. I'm very careful with my good clothes and that's why it lasts years. [SViswan]
My mother always did it this way and I learnt from her. Hot water was never an option for us till washing machines came along (which is a very recent entry into homes in India)....but we were in the Middle East and I remember always having a washing machine. But my mother used the hot water option only with sheets and kitchen napkins. [SViswan]
These are some Great tips. I had never thought about washing in Cold water, but I know this would help as keep color longer. Thanks for sharing these with us. [KrauseHome]
You are very welcome!! So glad to be of help! Makes my day when I helped any one person or a ton!! Hope you have a wonderful evening! [CatsandDogs]
I do all of that but thanks for letting us know what it can do I never knew that I just do it that way because that's how my mom does it.happy [p3halliwel2005]
Awwww you're so very welcome!! You're lucky your mom had the smarts enough to teach you how to do it so your clothes will last longer. My mom is still so stubborn about washing her clothes in warm water. Oh well, I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Shhhh!!!! don't tell her I said that!! LOL [CatsandDogs]
I wash almost everything in cold water, mainly because it's cheaper. Saves me money since I don't have to heat the water. The only time I use hot is if I'm doing a bleach load but those are rare. To help with the wash put a 1/4 cup baking soda in with your detergent. It helps remove odors as well as boost the power of the detergent. Also a 1/2 cup of vinegar in the rinse can remove odors as well. As a side note, if you know a storm is coming go sprinkle powdered laundry soap on your grass. (Make sure it is going to rain though) It not only helps to green the grass up but it also gets rid of mole crickets and some other nasty bugs. [emeraldisle]
I'd heard vinegar can make them soft but I never really saw any indication of it. I still use fabric softener. Now I have heard putting two tennis Balls in the dryer can replace dryer sheets. It softens them and gets rid of static but I've never tried it. Seemed like it would be very noisy. I'm glad I could share something with you. I agree it's always nice to learn something new. [emeraldisle]
Thank you Professor Laudnry Cat (and Dog)! That is useful to knwo. But did I tell you that my family banned me from washing clothing? My work with teh laundry machines always seemed to shrink down everybody's clothing down to toddler size, or get them torn in the washer. So, I am the offical fold-er. :o) Doesn't bother me, but one day what if I need to do it on my own? What will happen to me?! ;o) Anyway, taht sounds good about the coller water. But I just have to use teh drier, because I don't like the stiffness of when we hang things. We sometimes partially but it in drier and then hang up. But it's so comfy and warm after the drier. [Loen210]
Yes, Professor C.D. ;o) Your many long years of experience would put you in that position. And your accomplishments of performing the qualified projects, hours, and experiments for you and others as well, really make you a pro. You likely will not become an emeritus until perhaps you are 85 or so? :o) [Loen210]
With the advent of modern clothing care systems, washer and dryer, keeping your clothes clean and presentable is no longer an all day chore or a two day chore, wash one day and iron next. However there are still a lot of mistakes made in the laundry room because your nice clean washing is no longer an art form or a sigh of being a good housekeeper. Automatic washers have been a boon for the single man - he does not need to rely on the little woman to wash his socks and shorts, shirts and khakis. And if he buys everything the same color, black, dark blue, navy or brown - he doesn't need to sort the stuff before throwing it into the washer. Even though automatic washers and Dryers have taken the work out of the task, you need to sort your laundry before washing. You not only need to pay attention to the colors of the clothing but also the fabric, Even though that blouse is jet black, it might not tolerate being washed with a black t-shirt in warm or hot water. Don't throw it in with other dark clothing without first reading the laundering instructions on the label inside the garment. [ana3173]
I agree. Just because it's the same color doesn't mean it can be washed together. Such as a sweater and a towel together is a big time no no unless you want all those fuzz bunnies all over your sweater. Definetely read the garment in how to wash before doing so. Thanks.... [CatsandDogs]
My former roommate had this red dress, and while I ALWAYS washed it cold, that darn thing turned EVERYTHING pink! It also went from bright red to pink itself - my blue jeans even took on a pinkish hue (well, kind of purple-y) from that darn dress. I hated it! [ElicBxn]
Ya know Cats, I was as careful as I could be (only got an occasional sock or undies in the dark clothes) but that dang dress bled 5 YEARS after I made it! and, yes, I washed the fabric BEFORE I made the dress! [ElicBxn]
Well, we have been washing with our clothes with normal temperature water or tap water. Is this the temperature that you are talking about? We also do hang the clothes inside out. We also do not put sensitive clothes hanged directly hit by the sun since the heat of the sun can do harm. Its only the wind that causes the drying though it takes a little longer to dry up but the clothes last longer and does not easily fade. For ordinary clothes, we do hang them directly under the suns heat. [jpso138]
I really do not wash my clothes since I don't have enough time. I usualy bring my clothes to the laundrymat. But, yeah , when I am not that busy I am the one who launders my clothes. I used washing machine, rather than handwash except for sensitive clothing. Here are the tips that I can share, first is do not forget to read the clothing label for the instructions how to wash it, sort clothes according to color, wash stains quickly in warm water (do not overdo it or the color will fade),turn the clothes inside out before putting it in the machine. [bluecrystal1982]
I have always used cold water for washing clothes. My mum used to have to boil our clothes in a wood fired copper when we were kids. I would hate to have to go back to that way of washing. Everything got boiled, undies the lot. Most times I turn my clothes inside out when hanging them on the line. Somedays the sun is too hot so I hang them whatever way they are turned. I am like you. My clothes wear out before they fade. My tank tops are almost see through now. [Goodie123]
I remember boiling the wash with my grandma. The next thing I remember is the good old fashioned wringer washer with my mom. She always hung things. I use the dryer mostly, but I could sure save money by using hangers and hanging them. [GardenGerty]
hey i dont know much about washing clothes except for the fact that it sure is one really tiring job and takes a lot of effort.specially when u r washing denims and bedsheets.i wonder how often u wash ur clothes in a week.i do it every sunday cause its the only day off.wht about u? [jhonymax2cool]
Yes,I wash clothes in cold water.However,I hate washing.Especially I wash my socks and underwear in Winter.The water is too cold and I cann't help crying.Generally,I wash clothes by washing machine,and I often put all kinds of color clothes together.One word,I am lazy to wash clothes^_^. [jiangsl]
I used to always use cold water, but my hubby moved here, and he has always insisted on warm. I have not gone to the trouble of hanging them wrong side out, but i need to try that, at least with his navy blue work shirts. I need to push on the cold water, but many people try to tell you that you cannot kill germs with cold water, that it must be hot, hot, hot. I like to use a little oxygen based bleach on whites. I use vinegar in the rinse of all of my clothes to cut the soap residue and keep them bright. [GardenGerty]
those are good tips. i've been doing laundry the wrong way for years with a ton of success. I always wash the clothes in cold water. Unless I have something brand new that is red and a ton of white stuff in the laundry i always wash it all together without sorting it. I think it is a cardinal sin in the laundry world what i am doing...haven't you always been taught to sort your clothes? But what I learned by having to my laundry at a laundromat for many years is sometimes you need to wash your clothes even if you don't have enough to sort it. I've never had any disasters. I also always use shout for stains - it works great...if the spot doesn't come out i will let it air dry and then try washing it again - usually comes out the second time around. [vera5d]
I always wash in cold water as well so that the colors don't leak onto other clothing. I don't hang my clothes to dry since now it's still winter here LOL but even in the summer I use my dryer it's just so much faster. [StrawberryKisses]
Good experience . It`s useful ! [completist]
Ohh, thanks for sharing this cool topic CatsandDogs, i don't know which is the better for washing our clothes, but i keep in my this discussion whenever there will be a day in my life to wash clothes...lolz Most of the time my mom washes my clothes and as much i know she use some warm water rather than cold water...i don't know why, but maybe some reasons behind this...i'll tell your discussion to her... Thanks for posting!! [mnsrwt123]
My mom still washes her clothes in warm water even after telling her a few times that it makes the clothes fade but she won't listen so I gave up. Sometimes you can teach an old dog new tricks. lol A lot of people think warm water cleans better and/or it kills germs which isn't true because the temp has to be boiling hot to kill the germs and of course no body wants to do THAT shocked to their clothes. [CatsandDogs]
I always wash in cold water, but we have a driver so I do not hang clothes outside. I really should hang them outside and it seems rather strange that back in Vancouver , we did not have a dryer and hang our clothes outside, and it rained all the time, but here in Winnipeg, when it is warm and dry in the Spring and Summers and the clothes can get fresh that we put them in the dryer. But turning the clothes inside out is a good idea. [suspenseful]
Thanks sweety! I would say though that there are times I can't use cold washes as they can set some stains in and my niamh is always getting bad stains in her clothes! Thank you for sharing though! xxx [mummymo]
Heya there! :o) I send your discussion to my family. My mother replied back with this: (Doh, I forgot I can't cut and paste...) "Yes, washing clothes in cold (or at least cool) water is good to use for laundry...except when dirty towels and socks. I use cold water and put delicate clothes in mesh laundry bags, and use the gentle cycle. I dry delicate clothes also in the boiler room on the drying rack." [Loen210]
The only part of this I question is washing all clothes in c old water. I used to do that, as it saves on heating & electricity, but I did get to think that cold water just didn't get all the stains out, especially dirt stains. But I am happy to read other responses & see what My Lotters think., [jennybianca]
That's a nice tip catshappy. Thanks for sharing this. Have a wonderful day. [jhoana_joey]
so that's why. when i was in college and living in a boarding house, i wash my clothes with cold water because that's the available water. and the colors of my clothes didn't fade at all. maybe it faded but its unsubstantial because it cannot be seen by the naked eye. however, compared to my clothes now, which are washed with warm water because that is what's available at home, the colors of my clothes tend to fade faster. geez. but i couldn't really do anything about it since the available water at home is warm. thanks for that information. happy [secretbear]
I also heard and even seen in the laundry mat that in washing you also have to turn your clothes inside out to prevent the clothes from looking old and stays new.Thank you for sharing about the use of cold water.I really noticed that when i use warm and hot water in washing the color of the clothes fade.Next time i will try to use cold water. [giePortlandOR_08]