Laundry Tips

Simple Laundry Tips

Everyone wants to get the best results from their washing and to help you do this, A&D put together a list of simple steps.

Preparation

Laundry works best with a little preparation. ALWAYS check the wash care instructions on the inside of your uniform.

Here, are a few helpful tips to remember:

Empty your pockets.

Turn down sleeves on your shirts and blouses.

Turn your trousers inside out. This reduces fading and prevents scarring of the fabric.

Sorting

When sorting laundry there are some basic steps which should always be followed:

Read and follow care labels!

Separate dark colours from light colours from whites.

Sort delicate fabrics from heavier ones.

Sort by temperature to ensure best results for individual garments and never exceed the temperature on the fabric care label.

Wash very dirty clothes separately (as dirt can pass on to less soiled clothes in the washing machine).

Sort by agitation to maintain the appearance of the garment

When you have a wash-load with mixed temperature and agitation, you must select the lowest recommended temperature and agitation programme for the whole load.

If you attempt to remove a stubborn stain by some special chemical or process please apply to an inconspicuous part of the garments first.  Certain chemical cleaners are actually bleaching agents and may fade the garment.

Loading

Do not overload the washing machine!

Over-loading will not allow clothes to tumble properly in the drum, thereby reducing the agitation. This will lead to reduced cleaning performance.

Over-loading also reduces the space in the machine, preventing powders from dissolving properly. This will increase the chances of powder residues, bleach damage and poor performance.

Washing Powders & Bleaching Agents

When using washing powders, it is inadvisable to use powders that are biological or contain a bleaching agent as these tend to fade the colour of the fabric when used. This also applies to commercial stain removers such as Vanish etc.

Wash Programme

Always remember to follow the fabric care label on your garments and when washing a mixed load always choose the lowest temperature and agitation setting.

Temperature Setting

Wash water temperature directly affects cleaning and creasing.  Check your garment care labels for recommended wash temperature. Hot Water provides the quickest and best cleaning, however modern detergents may allow for a cooler wash. Please refer to your detergent user guide.  Please also note that non-biological detergents are kinder to dark colours.

Unloading & Drying

When the wash cycle has finished, the garments should be removed and dried as soon as possible. Leaving clothes damp can lead to problems such as bad smells or even mildew.

Drying hints:

Using proper drying procedures protects fabrics and minimizes creasing. Most tumble dryers have delicate or permanent press cycles, which have lower heat settings to protect fabrics which might be damaged by high heat.

Check garment labels carefully for proper drying temperatures.

Load your dryer so clothes can circulate. Over-loading can result in excessive creasing. Heat damage to clothing can also occur, if the dryer vent becomes blocked.

Garments that are dried for too long a period at too high a temperature may become difficult to iron.  Creases may also become permanent.

We hope this guide offers some help.