I need help with my laundry
February 1st, 2010
I am like most American women who do the laundry. I don’t measure the detergent. I just eyeball the amount and dump it in the washing machine. I figure if there’s too much soap, the clothes will get cleaner. Wrong! Too much soap leads to dingy, dull clothing. Want to know how? According to the Wall Street Journal, “detergent ‘overpouring’ creates a high, foamy tide inside the machine lifting soil and lint above the water level so it isn’t rinsed away. That leaves residue on clothing that fades colors and attracts more dirt.” Plus, newer model washing machines use less water, and detergent now comes in concentrated formulas. This is a recipe for clean clothing disaster.
Tips for precise measuring:
1. Look for more brands that have easier to read markings-Proctor & Gamble will be introducing better caps for Tide, Gain, Era and Cheer.
2. General rule of thumb: A half-cup filled to the “2″ line will wash a medium-size load.
3. Clean detergent build-up by regularly cleaning your washing machine. Follow these directions from Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean:
Fill the washer with hot water. — Add one quart of chlorine bleach.—Run the washer through the longest wash cycle. —While the machine is still wet, add one quart of white vinegar and run it though the long cycle again.
