10 February 2024 , 11:00
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Most people don't think twice when it comes to the laundry - separate out colours, add some detergent and softener, and you're good to go - but there's a lot more to it, according to one expert.
Deyan Dimitrov The CEO of LaundryHeap, a laundry and dry cleaning service, has shared some of his top tips for washing clothing. And he has special advice when it comes to workout gear and swimwear.
Deyan's first guideline is to turn clothing inside out before putting it into the machine. He said: "Turning clothes inside out before they're washed ensures the outer layer isn't being rubbed against by other items in the washing machine.
"This is especially important for high performance active wear, which tends to have water-repellent coatings that are easily worn down. Better yet, opt for a netted laundry bag to keep your activewear away from the rest of your laundry in the machine."
He continued: "As a general rule of thumb, washing clothes inside out can drastically increase the shelf life of your wardrobe, so it’d be wise to practice this step when washing any load."
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Deyan goes on to say that one other mistake people often make is putting too much detergent in with a load.
"There's a common misconception that using more detergent will boost the efficiency of the wash cycle, when in fact the opposite is true," he explains.
"Using too much detergent will create an excess of soap suds which will trap dirt, bacteria and odours there, instead of lifting it away. Instead, always stick to the recommended dosage."
And when it comes to fabric softener, he claims you shouldn't be using it when washing sports gear. "Active wear tends to be made from moisture-wicking synthetic materials, which work well to shield off sweat and keep us cool during exercise. Fabric softener does not interact well with these materials.
"Fabric softeners work by leaving a waxy coating on our clothes, to make them feel softer. When this is left on active wear, it inhibits its ability to ward off moisture, and instead, traps it there.
"To avoid this, skip the fabric softener entirely, or opt for a natural alternative: by pouring half a cup of white vinegar into the drawer of your washing machine during the final rinse cycle. You won’t need to worry about the smell as this will dissipate in the machine."
And when it comes to the temperature of your wash cycle, for exercise clothes or anything with elastic in it, keep it cool.
"Heat can damage the elasticity of our clothes, so despite how dirty your activewear can get, always wash at the lowest temperature possible.
"Purchasing a trusted and effective detergent will ensure your active wear always comes out the machine as clean as possible - even after washing at 30 degrees."
For the same reason, he says tumble drying is also a big no for exercise clothing. Allow your sports bras and yoga pants to air dry instead so you don't ruin them.
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That's not all the advice Deyan had to share. He also recommends pre-treating any particularly sweaty clothing before putting it in the wash. To do this, soak garments in a solution of water and half a cup of white vinegar for an hour before washing. This will help remove any build up of sweat and grime.
When it comes to swimwear, the expert also has a few rules. His top tip is to hand wash swimming costumes and bikinis in order to stop the colour from draining and to help them last longer. Washing machines can cause swimwear to shrink and damage the synthetic material.
Deyan also advises against drying swimming costumes in direct sunlight, as this can 'bleach' the fabric. Instead dry it off indoors.
He adds that his secret for getting sun cream stains out of swimming costumes is to spray some white vinegar directly onto the stain and leave it on for as long as you can before washing. "If all else fails, take it to the dry cleaners," he advises.