WASHING clothes is something we all have to do, but how many of us do it correctly?
Almost half (46 per cent) of Brits frequently make mistakes because they have difficulty understanding the care labels on their clothes.
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While a third don’t know what should be placed in each section of washing machine drawers, and a quarter are stumped on what temperature setting to use for their load, according to a study by Dr. Beckmann.
In fact, £6.8 billion is wasted every year on clothes that shrink and damage – simply because we can’t understand clothing care symbols.
The average annual bill comes to £128.99 in damaged clothes, while cleaning service Oxwash says the worst-hit items are jeans, with 53 million pairs shrunk every 12 months.
And it seems some Brits are just realizing what some of the washing symbols printed on their clothing labels mean.
There are up to five main symbols printed on the label of each item of clothing, but some are surprising to some Brits.
However, these are important signs to take into account as they can damage clothes and even shrink them.
Some may be quite obvious, but others may require a little more investigation to discover the true meaning.
And many people wouldn’t know what the triangle means, as it can also take on four different shapes.
These include an empty triangle, a triangle with a cross, a triangle with CL inside and a cross, and a triangle with two diagonal lines through it.
All of these symbols have to do with bleach.
Having an empty triangle means you can bleach the piece.
But a triangle with a cross will mean that the item should not be bleached.
How can you dry your clothes when it’s raining outside?
DEALING with the British weather is not ideal when it comes to trying to dry your clothes outdoors. But fear not, if it’s raining, there are a few tricks you can try to dry your clothes indoors.
Curtain Poles
If you put your clothes on hangers to dry, you can hang them on a curtain pole. This is an effective trick, but it’s important to make sure you also have a window open, to promote ventilation and prevent mold buildup.
Airers
There are a number of aerators on the market, but the popularity of heated aerators has increased dramatically in recent months. Many people swear by using a heated airer to dry clothes quickly and evenly without adding to their energy bill by using a dryer.
Dehumidifiers
While the main purpose of a dehumidifier is, as the name suggests, to reduce humidity in the room, they also work great for drying clothes. In fact, many of the small machines have a laundry setting. And again, using a dehumidifier won’t cost you much either, as they are very energy efficient.
Radiator cocoon
If you have the heating on, creating a cocoon with a fitted sheet and your radiator can be a game changer. Simply place one end of the sheet over the radiator and place the other end so that it completely surrounds the aerator. This will dry your clothes faster by keeping the warm air inside the cocoon rather than letting it escape.
Rotate
Most washing machine cycles end with a spin cycle, but you can always give your clothes an extra spin before taking them out to remove as much moisture as possible before hanging them up. It’s a trick that many people swear by when it comes to drying clothes inside.
A triangle with two diagonal lines inside a triangle with CL inside and a cross in both means you should use non-chlorine bleach.
Salah Sun, Head of Product Marketing at Beko Plc UK and Ireland at Beko says: “Throwing a pile of washing into the washing machine is not uncommon; We’ve all gone for a quick run without looking to see what we’re putting inside – but doing so can damage your clothes.
“Everything you need to know about your clothes is on the tags.
“Knowing your symbols and clothes inside out can help you avoid laundry mishaps and keep your favorite clothes lasting longer.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
