The Professional Expert

Laundry - Using the Washer

Now that we have sorted and stain-treated the clothing, it is time to load the washer.

If there is not an obvious spot in the top of the washer for the detergent, then the detergent goes directly into the washer as the machine starts to fill with water. After you have added the detergent, then you can add your clothes.

If it is a newer washer and there is a spot on top for the detergent, then you can add it after you put your clothes in.

Either way, use the minimum amount needed to clean your clothes. The box or bottle will give you directions. I actually use a little less than recommended with very good results.
When putting the clothes in, fill the washer ¾ full of clothes. If you jam clothes in there, you may save yourself the time (and expense) of running another load, but the clothes won’t be clean, and you’ll have to do it all again anyway.

Evenly distribute the clothes in the washer. This will help the cleaning process.

Now let’s choose our cycle and water temperature:

Based on our sorted piles:

Towels and Linens – Temperature – Warm; Cycle – Normal/Heavy Duty

Socks, Underwear and Whites – Temperature – Hot; Cycle – Whites or Normal

Light Colored Clothes – Temperature – Warm or Cold; Cycle – Regular or Normal

Dark Colored Clothes – Temperature - Cold; Cycle – Regular or Normal

Permanent Press refers to clothing that has been chemically treated to resist wrinkles. It will say Permanent Press on the tag.

You may also have some items that would qualify as Delicate. These include lingerie, rayon fabrics, loose knits, hand washables, blankets and washable woolens. These should all be washed in cold water on the delicate cycle.

If during the wash cycle, you start hearing a loud thump, thump noise, the washer is out of balance. Open the lid and move the wash around to balance the load again.

Tomorrow we will dry the clothes…

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