Noah Pinsonnault, a product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute in the US, identifies five common mistakes people make when using washing machines.
Overloading the machine
Exceeding the machine's capacity reduces the space for clothes to move in the water. This prevents water and detergent from circulating evenly, leading to dirt residue and stains.
Users should load clothes loosely, filling the drum to only 70-80% of its capacity. This ensures enough room for the fabrics to tumble properly.
Choosing the wrong cycle and temperature
Each wash cycle has different agitation levels, durations, and spin speeds. Gentle or quick cycles may not provide enough pressure to clean heavily soiled athletic wear or muddy clothes.
Conversely, powerful cycles can damage delicate fabrics. Regarding temperature, cold water is suitable for daily washing. Hot water is more effective for brightening white fabrics and deodorizing thick items such as towels.
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Illustration: Pinterest.
Using the wrong amount of detergent
Using too little detergent will not effectively clean grease and dirt. Using too much creates excess suds. These suds cling to fabric fibers, trapping dirt instead of rinsing it away. Users should follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage and adjust it based on how dirty their clothes are.
For a standard 5-7 kg wash load, the average recommended amount is approximately 50-65 ml of liquid detergent (equivalent to one capful) or 50-60 grams of powder detergent for normally soiled clothes.
Skipping stain pretreatment
Washing machines cannot automatically remove dried, stubborn stains. Without pretreatment, the high heat of a dryer will permanently set these stains into the fabric fibers.
For bloodstains, soak them in cold water before applying a stain remover. For grease stains, treat them directly with a specialized solution and wash again with warm water. If clothes are still not clean after washing, do not put them in the dryer; instead, pretreat them and wash a second time.
Not cleaning the washing machine regularly
Over time, detergent residue, fabric softener, body oils, and minerals accumulate inside the washing machine drum. This creates an environment for bacteria to grow, causing foul odors to transfer to clothes.
Pinsonnault advises users to run a self-cleaning cycle with hot water or a specialized cleaner once a month. Additionally, regularly clean the detergent dispenser, wipe down the rubber gasket around the door, and check the filter. Leaving the machine door ajar after each use helps prevent mold and mildew.
Nhat Minh (According to Goodhousekeeping)
