Help Me Do Laundry!!!

GrandmaStabone · #1 09-05-2005, 04:50 PM

Okay OOT, I really need some help here. I just bought a bunch of new clothes last weekend and now they need washed.

The reason I needed so many new clothes in the first place is because MINE NEVER FIT RIGHT!!!! I always buy them and they look/fit great, but after one or two washes they either:

1.) Shirts will shrink vertically, that is- they will actually get shorter in length, making them awkward and lame

2.) Most material will go from a soft, loose feel to a stiff and dry texture that is much less comfortable

3.) Develope wrinkles that NEVER GO AWAY!!!

4.) Sweaters shrink to the point where they are ruined, I have actually just stopped buying sweaters

Etc., etc., etc.....

Anyways, I am not a complete moran- I just have very little experience with laundry aside throwing a random load of it in the washer, washing it on the hottest setting and drying it on high heat, I understand that my problem lies in my methods.

Now, however I am interested in keeping these new clothes looking nice and dropping the "college bum" look. I couldn't find a "Help I am in college and don't know how to do laundry" page so I figured I would throw this out to OOT for some tips on how to maintain these new clothes.

Thanks,
GS

tbach24 · #2 09-05-2005, 04:51 PM

The hot water and heat drying are what does you in

Wake up CALL · #3 09-05-2005, 04:53 PM

Send all your clothes to the cleaners. No shrinking, wrinkles, discoloration or fading.

GrandmaStabone · #4 09-05-2005, 04:53 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The hot water and heat drying are what does you in

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes I realize that, but I need specifics here!!! Raw applicable methods!!!

touchfaith · #5 09-05-2005, 04:55 PM

[ QUOTE ]
1.) Shirts will shrink vertically, that is- they will actually get shorter in length, making them awkward and lame

[/ QUOTE ]

Use cold water

[ QUOTE ]
2.) Most material will go from a soft, loose feel to a stiff and dry texture that is much less comfortable

[/ QUOTE ]

Use better detergent

[ QUOTE ]
3.) Develope wrinkles that NEVER GO AWAY!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Do not leave your clothes in the dryer

[ QUOTE ]
4.) Sweaters shrink to the point where they are ruined, I have actually just stopped buying sweaters

[/ QUOTE ]

Use cold water

tbach24 · #6 09-05-2005, 04:57 PM

<blockquote>En respuesta a:<hr />
<blockquote>En respuesta a:<hr />
The hot water and heat drying are what does you in

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes I realize that, but I need specifics here!!! Raw applicable methods!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Okay. I think that warm water was the most successful for me last year when I did laundry. Don't go overboard with the detergent (or w/e it's called). I went with 2 fabric softeners when drying clothes. After you dry your clothes, make sure they aren't damp. I usually did another 10-15 minute cycle after the initial hourish long first drying cycle. I'm not too experienced though so you might want to wait for other OOTiots but those are my experiences.

GrandmaStabone · #7 09-05-2005, 04:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
1.) Shirts will shrink vertically, that is- they will actually get shorter in length, making them awkward and lame

[/ QUOTE ]

Use cold water

[ QUOTE ]
2.) Most material will go from a soft, loose feel to a stiff and dry texture that is much less comfortable

[/ QUOTE ]

Use better detergent

[ QUOTE ]
3.) Develope wrinkles that NEVER GO AWAY!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Do not leave your clothes in the dryer

[ QUOTE ]
4.) Sweaters shrink to the point where they are ruined, I have actually just stopped buying sweaters

[/ QUOTE ]

Use cold water

[/ QUOTE ]

Will they get clean in cold water?

What about drying?

DasLeben · #8 09-05-2005, 04:59 PM

Also, don't use high heat in the dryer. That'll absolutely tear up your clothes and cause them to fade quickly. I use medium heat now, and it keeps my clothes in much better shape.

touchfaith · #9 09-05-2005, 05:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
1.) Shirts will shrink vertically, that is- they will actually get shorter in length, making them awkward and lame

[/ QUOTE ]

Use cold water

Will they get clean in cold water?

What about drying?

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely. Detergent is much better then it use to be. Cold water will work fine.

Try using a medium dryer setting also.

Also also, props to the Gentle Cycle if your washer has one, especially on the sweaters.

STLantny · #10 09-05-2005, 05:02 PM

Im a laundry master:

Whites, 2 washes, one cold water, one hot water. First wash use just detergent, second wash use detergent and bleach. You will have the whites clothes ever.

Sweaters. Make sure the ARE NOT dry clean only (most of mine are dry clean only. Wash them in cold/warm water, and dont dry them, let them air dry.

Dark clothes, warm water + detergent, tumble dry, low heat.

Read the directions on your clothes, if you are unsure just get em dry cleaned, its easeier that way to begin with, plus its not all tha texpensive.