6 myths about washing machines you probably didn’t know.

John
May 1, 2022
2:00 am

I like housework, it is a part of being a responsible adult. Everyone has to do chores, it’s an unwritten life rule. But there’s no chore I despise as much as laundry.

There are so many rules! And I never got them right. I would always end up with shrunk clothing or lint all over my favorite black pants because I never cleaned the washer! They were myths and I believed them.

Myths might’ve ruined some of my favorite clothes and had me call the repairman one too many times. But don’t worry, I’ll save you from the same fate!

We’ll be discussing 6 commonly held myths and debunking them with logic.

Myth #1 Always wash clothes after one wear

A lot of people believe that washing clothes is important after wearing them once. It might make sense, the clothes were worn or out in the open so they might’ve gotten dirty. This depends on the situation and the type of clothes you were wearing.

Clothes are made from different fabrics, all requiring different levels of care. Heavier fabric like denim doesn’t need a wash every time you wear it.

This will lead to damage caused by overwashing. Over-washing can also wear away the softness of the fabric leaving it stiff or worn out.

If you worked out or did a lot of moving around in your clothes then the situation might differ. If the clothes smell must or you sweat in it then it is best to wash them. A stain is also a pretty solid reason to toss your clothes into the washer on the first wear.

Myth #2 Button and zip up clothes before washing them

How many times have you buttoned up your shirt or zipped your jacket before placing them in the washer? This can seem like a good idea when it’s not.

The washing machine spins your clothes around at a certain speed to ensure proper cleaning. If a shirt is buttoned, then the pressure from the spinning water can end up creating tension that rips the button off of the shirt.

A loose button can end up lodged in a machine crevice, and that is a bigger problem than loose buttons!

The button can also snag at another fabric and damage it. This is why always unbutton your shirts and unzip your jackets before washing them.

Myth #3 All germs die at 40℃ and freeze jeans to get rid of germs

This is a widely perceived notion. People believe that washing clothes at a temperature of 40 C kills all bacteria. When this is far from the truth.

Scientists have found out that clothes washed at 40 C or higher only have 14% or fewer germs than clothes washed at normal temperature. So much for clean clothes.

Sterilized clothes are necessary when you yourself are sick or work with them. Regular people like us don’t need to boil our clothes because there is no such thing as 100% germ-free.

If you still want your clothes to be as germ-free as possible, then it’s best to invest in Dettol Laundry Sanitizer. It kills up to 99.9% of bacteria in clothes even in low-temperature water.

Speaking of killing germs, freezing jeans to kill bacteria? If you’ve heard this myth then I have to tell you, it’s false. Freezing your jeans won’t kill any germs, the germs will only stay around the fabric.

Once you take the jeans out of the fabric, the germs will come with them. Not to mention different kinds of germs in the freezer will also stick to the jeans. Not to mention when you’ll eventually heat your jeans, any frozen germs will revive.

Myth #4 Wash jeans after every wear

This one’s pretty similar to washing your clothes after wearing them once. Jeans are made of denim which is a sturdier and heavier fabric. Not to mention, jeans rarely ever get dirty, unless you get dirt on them or stain it.

Jeans need to be washed as little as possible, you can even wash them after months. Normally, you can wear jeans 3 times before they require a wash.

Over-washing jeans lead to the denim becoming weaker and becoming softer. It not only damages the jeans but also ruins the look and cut of them.

Preserve your favorite pair of jeans by washing them as infrequently as possible.

Myth #5 Add bleach at the same time as detergent

This one is pretty popular. Adding detergent and bleach together to a load can create this super concoction and immediately clean them of dirt and grime. As cool as it sounds, there’s a lot of chemistry involved.

When you add bleach at the start of the wash, the bleach ends up inactivating the enzymes in the detergent responsible for breaking down fats and dirt. The bleach also prevents other detergent components from working properly. This leaves you with dirty clothes, no super concoction here.

The best tie to add bleach to the washer is 5 minutes after adding detergent. This gives the enzymes enough time to break down any dirt and grime.

With the amazing advancements in technology, a lot of washers have a timed bleach dispenser. It adds bleach to the way after 5 minutes making your job easier. No need to set the timer!

Myth #6 Hard water vs soft water, does it really matter

Ugh, science again. But in terms of laundry, this is important. To put it simply, hard water has some extra minerals that interfere with the detergent and prevent soap from lathering up. It leaves a streaky soap scum on clothes.

The clothes also come out looking stiff, discolored, and may even have reddish-brown residue. When such clothes come in contact with the skin, they irritate it and cause chaffing.

If you’re noticing your clothes looking stiffer or discolored then get a water quality test done. Using liquid detergents instead of powdered ones improves washing with hard water.

If your water is very hard and your skin is very sensitive, then it’s best to install a water softener in your home. Call Mobile Appliance Repair for further advice.