AIRING THE DIRT ON LAUNDRY
American Cleaning Institute offers some advice on getting clothes clean — and saving a few bucks, too
Brian Sansoni is a vice-president at the American Cleaning Institute, the trade association for the cleaning products industry.
Since 2000, Sansoni has served as the company’s chief spokesperson and is responsible for the promotion of various subjects, including sustainability and consumer outreach.
He knows a great deal about doing laundry, detergent use and current issues such as laundry packet safety.
Q Is there anything I should be doing in the laundry room to be more environmentally friendly and save on utility costs?
A Believe it or not, working more cold water loads into your routine can play a major role in the energy you use (and the money you spend) when doing laundry.
About 90 per cent of the energy your washing machine uses goes toward heating water. By switching to cold water washing, your household could eliminate about 1,600 pounds (726 kilograms) of carbon dioxide a year.
Cold water is important not only for the environment but for your clothes. Hot water can cause certain items to fade, shrink or bleed. The right temperature can prolong the lifespan of your clothes and save you money in the long run.
Q What’s the best way to wash jeans?
A: Jeans can typically be worn three times — maybe more — before washing them following the instructions on the tag. You’ll find many apparel manufacturers recommending washing jeans in cold water, which can help preserve the life of the fabric.
We’ve also heard that some people place their jeans in the freezer instead of the wash.
They claim that freezing temperatures kill some of the bacteria that result from routine wear without the risk of shrinking. But don’t believe it.
The bacteria (frozen or not) are actually not that big of a deal and you’ll still need to wash away stains, sweat and any skin that is sloughed off.
Q Do you have advice on getting rid of pit stains?
A You’re not alone in facing sweat or deodorant-related stains. We recommend a prewash stain remover or rubbing with bar soap.
If perspiration has changed the colour of the fabric, apply ammonia to fresh stains or white vinegar to old stains. Then rinse.
Launder using the hottest water safe the for fabric. Stubborn stains may respond to washing in a product containing enzymes or oxygen bleach in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Q I have a son who is off at college and doing his laundry for the first time on his own. Do you have any tips or guidelines for college students who might be doing laundry for the first time?
A College is such a busy and exciting time and for many young adults it’s the first real exposure to creating a consistent laundry routine. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your son and all of the other college students out there this fall:
Read the label and use the ■ recommended amount of laundry detergent. Adding more detergent doesn’t make clothes cleaner.
Sort your laundry ahead of ■ time and separate whites, lights and darks in different loads.
Save energy by using cold water ■ to wash. Washing your laundry in cold water helps the drying process become more efficient.
If it’s dirty with dark stains, ■ wash it and don’t let it sit in your hamper for too long.
Not sure about some fabrics? ■ Always read the label and pay close attention to the materials.
Q Any tips on washing with well water? We have a water softener, but it still seems like clothes are rough and the cycle doesn’t eliminate all the soap in the wash.
A Make sure you are not adding too much detergent. And consider adding the detergent first and letting the water level fill completely before adding your dirty clothes. This will help the detergent dissolve more completely. Also, think about using dryer sheets to soften the clothes.
Q I’m still using a jug of detergent, but someone told me that I’m probably using too much and switching to pods will give me the right amount. On all fronts — cost, environmental impact, effectiveness — do pods work better or is it just a different delivery method?
A It’s really a matter of preference. Liquid laundry packets are quick and easy since they’re premeasured and detergent jugs can give more flexibility based on the amount of laundry in the load. Some people swear by liquid detergents, as they can dose the detergents themselves.
Q What makes a garment truly dry-clean only? Are some clothing manufacturers overly cautious or do some rayon and polyester items actually need to be dry cleaned?
A We recommend following manufacturer guidelines for the best care. That’s the recommended approach and one that can extend the lifespan of the garment, but of course not the only route to go. There are gentle care detergents for finer fabrics, as well as in-dryer kits for special care or “dry-clean-only” fabrics.
Q I recall reading that it’s the dryer, not the washing machine, that beats up your clothing and wears it out faster. Is that true?
A Heat and friction can limit the lifespan of a garment and that can happen in the washer or the dryer. Line drying can be a way to cut down on that wear and tear, especially for delicate items. Washing in cold water is another option (learn more at coldwatersaves.org) and can help you save on energy costs.
Q My kids are stain factories. Food, candy, ink, grass, mud and the list goes on. Is there a silver bullet for overall stain removal, like bleach? Or does it depend on the type of stain?
A Stains can be tricky to remove and there are different solutions for different types of stains.
For example, if bubble gum finds its way to your kids’ (or your own) pants or shirt, you can apply ice or cold water to harden the gum and then scrape it off with a knife.
There are all sorts of stains, so I’ll point you to the American Cleaning Institute’s stain removal chart online (cleaninginstitute.org/clean_living/ stain_ removal_ chart. aspx ). It can help you with just about every stain you can think of.
Just remember: the quicker you can treat the stain, the better.
Q One of my cats soils in inappropriate places when he is displeased with me. What is the best product for cleaning these messes: a cleaner with an enzymatic or one with “oxy” power?
A When it comes to laundering pet stains, we recommend pretreating or soaking in a product containing enzymes. Also laundering using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for fabric, or oxygen bleach.
Q I have one of those lowwater-use high-efficiency (HE) washers. I use liquid detergent because if my loads are small, I’m afraid a pod will be too much. Are the pods OK for HE washers?
A Liquid laundry packets are designed to work in a variety of washing machines, including HE.
Remember the number of packets used will depend upon the size of the load and the level of soil that is being removed. Be sure to read and follow the HE detergent product label and the manufacturer’s appliance guide to maximize your washer’s efficiency.