How to do laundry: the best tips

1. Sorting the laundry correctly

Before you can start the actual washing process, you will need to do a little bit of preparation first! It is best to sort your laundry by color and material. Light, dark, colorful – with this simple classification you can pre-sort your laundry best. Washing the same or similar colors together is a great thing to do as they will not stain each other or get discolored. Be careful with new clothes, especially those with strong colors. Before putting new clothes into the washing machine for the first time, test it with a short hand wash in the sink to avoid it staining all of your other shirts.

Sorting by texture is especially important when washing fine fabrics: lace, silk or real wool, for example. These require low temperatures and a lower spin than “normal” shirts. For delicate underwear, it is also advisable to use washing bags in order to prevent the delicate material from getting caught in other parts.

3. Choosing the right detergent

Whether you choose the scent of lavender or apple for your laundry detergent is entirely up to you and your preferences, but there are a few other things to consider when choosing a detergent. There is a separate detergent for almost every wash program. If you don’t have a lot of storage space or don’t have the budget for a complete laundry room equipment, we recommend that you keep two simple questions in mind when buying detergent: Do I have a lot of sensitive fabrics (silk, wool, etc.)? Which colors dominate my wardrobe?

Washing colored laundry is usually easier than washing white or dark colors. Universal, heavy-duty or colored detergents can be used for Cotton and Synthetics and for the easy-care program, wool and mild detergents should be used for more sensitive fabrics! Powder detergents are particularly suitable for white colors, as these often contain bleach and contribute to a long-lasting, fresh white color. Warning: the bleach in the detergent does not pose a health risk, but is still bad for the environment.

If your laundry is heavily soiled, it is advisable to treat stains by hand before putting them in the washing machine. The best way to treat grease stains is with a little grease-dissolving dish wash soap. Simply apply the product to the area that needs to be treated shortly before the wash cycle, let it sit for a few minutes and then, without rinsing, put it in the washing machine as normal.

Regarding the dosage of your detergent, it is best to read what is recommended directly on the detergent packaging or choose the amount of detergent based on the contamination of your laundry!

5. Do’s and Don’ts

Do´s

• Separate colors
• Empty all pockets
• Wash new textiles separately (risk of discoloration)
• Button up pillowcases
• Pay attention to washing symbols  and care labels in your clothes

Dont`s

• Fill the washing machine too full
• Forget handkerchiefs in your trouser pockets
• Wash too hot
• Leave laundry in the washing machine for a long time (risk of smell)
• Short programs (often use more electricity and energy than long ones)

6. Where can I do my laundry?

You just moved out of home and don’t have enough budget to buy a new washing machine? Your apartment is simply too small for a washing machine and dryer, or do you simply not come to wash in your shared apartment because your roommates keep using the machine? In these cases, it is worth going to the laundromat! In most bigger cities, there are great offers for washing clothes and often the detergent is even included in the wash cycle, so you don’t have to worry about that anymore!

If your first own home is in a dormitory, you’ve hit the jackpot! Most student homes, including STUWO, offer their residents their own laundromats. Here you don’t have to ask yourself: “When is the best time to do the laundry?” You can use the washing machine and dryer around the clock without disturbing anyone! The tumble dryer saves you time, but it consumes huge amounts of electricity and is therefore not particularly sustainable. We recommend that you hang up your laundry if you can. In summer, it is a good idea to do this outside in the garden, if possible. Otherwise you can use the laundry room in student dormitories or community buildings. Here you can dry your laundry without crowding your own four walls.