Want to save money on laundry? Stop using so many cleaning products

A laundry expert brought up an important point she learned from a washing machine technician and I'm not sure you thought about it when you do your laundry.

Laundry Mistakes We All Make (photo credit: nontre.co)
Laundry Mistakes We All Make
(photo credit: nontre.co)

When it comes to saving money when doing the laundry, you should listen to the tips of a professional. Applying their tips will help you do more laundry, for less money. A Reddit user named Sallystarling shared how she discovered an amazing laundry-saving trick.

"A washing machine repair technician once told me that most of the problems he sees are from people using the recommended amount of detergent or liquid - which is actually too much!" she said, ""He suggested I try using half the amount of detergent and see if the clothes still come out clean." Besides saving money on detergents, it will also help preserve your clothes, according to Swash's laundry experts who explained why you should never put too much detergent or liquid in the machine. According to them, using excess detergent over time can make clothes look "lifeless" or even completely faded. This is because too much detergent can leave an invisible layer of soap on the clothes, which actually traps dirt and hard minerals from the water. Of course, for really dirty clothes, you can adjust the amount as needed.

They also explain that washing machines clean clothes, among other things, by allowing the clothes to rub against each other. This friction helps break up and wash away dirt and stains from the fibers. Using too much soap or detergent can reduce this friction, meaning your clothes may not be as clean as they could be. Using an excessive amount of detergent causes stiffness and stiffness in the fabric: as the detergent accumulates on the clothes, the fibers become more covered in residue, which makes the fabric stiff. Beyond the effect on the clothes, excessive use of detergent may also irritate the skin. Accumulation of the cleaning agent can cause contact dermatitis in some people, which is manifested by itching, rashes and other unpleasant symptoms. 

Repeated exposure over time to soap residue can cause this phenomenon in people with sensitive skin. Conversely, using a measured amount of detergent will allow it to wash off more easily, which helps prevent it from building up. In addition, using an excessive amount of soap, powder or liquid in the washing machine not only leaves dirt and soap residue. Detergent that is not completely rinsed off also leaves behind the odor-causing bacteria. Over time, without proper care of the machine, these bacteria can multiply and remain on the clothes, causing them to smell and actually become dirtier. This is especially true for sportswear, as their synthetic material and dense weave can trap more bacteria in sensitive areas. More laundry secrets 3 laundry tips that will make your clothes last longer There's a secret compartment in your washing machine that you've never cleaned - and maybe that's why the clothes smell bad.

The Reddit user wrote that "It's clear that you need to adjust the amount of detergent for washing. If your clothes are very dirty or simply need refreshing - they need different amounts. But I bet you'll find that half an amount is usually completely enough. This is why capsules and any other product that comes in quantity Permanent is less economical. It is better to use washing powder or measured liquid, so that you can use exactly the amount you need (or rather, the smallest amount possible!)". The user ended her post with one last time-saving tip. "My favorite time-saving tip is when you take your socks off, fold them together before you throw them in the laundry basket," she said. "That way, a pair of socks will always be gathered together when you take a load of laundry to the machine." 

 All you have to do is separate the socks from each other before throwing them into the machine. She explained that this would save time sorting the laundry later because the socks, as pairs, "will always be in the same laundry pile." Other Reddit users have shared their methods for using less detergent. "I use a dedicated measuring spoon to measure the amount of detergent I use. Small to medium loads of laundry get one scoop, and very large loads get two," wrote one user, ""A box of powdered laundry detergent lasts much longer When you really measure her and clean the clothes without wasting soap," he added.