Most people are guilty of playing favourites with their garments, so when it comes to keeping them clean, there’s a lot at stake. Laundry tips and secrets can be super helpful, but also dangerous if they don’t provide the desired result. Read on as we debunk several popular myths—and show you how to wash your clothes the right way.
Myth: You can refresh unwashed jeans by freezing them.
Truth: The act of freezing a garment simply makes the bacteria on it lie dormant. So beware, once your jeans thaw out, they’ll be just as dirty (and smelly) as they were before.
The right way: To reduce fading and shrinking, wash jeans inside out in cold water with a detergent made for that cycle, like Ariel Excel Washing Gel Colour & Style, Ariel Colour & Style Washing Liquid or Ariel 3in1 PODS Washing Capsules Colour & Style for coloured clothes, then line dry naturally. (Always check care labels first to confirm that a garment is machine washable.)
Myth: You can’t put bras or lacy lingerie in the washer.
Truth: If you throw undergarments into the washing machine, they’re likely to get tangled and stretched out, and lace detail can fray from rubbing against other clothes. But hand washing isn’t the only solution.
The right way: Use a mesh laundry bag to protect bras and delicate lingerie in the wash cycle, and hang dry after. Yes, it’s that easy.
Myth: Silk blouses are dry clean only.
Truth: As long as the label doesn’t say “dry clean only,” hand washing is safe for silks. Test by mixing the detergent with water (1 part detergent to 20 parts water) and applying to a hidden spot such as the hem of the garment first. Then fill a clean sink or bowl with lukewarm water and a small amount of delicate-friendly liquid detergent. Gently hand wash for three to five minutes before rinsing well.
The right way: Fill a clean sink with lukewarm or cold water and a small amount of delicate-friendly liquid detergent. Lightly agitate for three to five minutes, rinse well, and dry flat.
Ariel is not suitable for silk or woolen fabrics.