Step-by-step instructions and tips on how to proceed with washing.
Washing is much easier than it seems at first. Many people are worried about damaging their favorite pieces of clothing or don't know how to do it properly. However, with a little knowledge and the right procedures, washing clothes is completely problem-free, and that is why we have prepared a step-by-step guide and tips on how to proceed with washing.
1. Sorting clothes by color
The first step for trouble-free washing of clothes, such as t-shirts, sweatshirts and others, is sort clothes by color, while following simple rules. Opinions differ and when it is a fact that it is enough to sort white, dark and pale clothes for safer washing, it is better to wash black clothes separately. Therefore, carefully sort the individual pieces of clothing into 4 types.
- White
- Bright colors
- Dark colors
- Black
2. Sorting clothes according to material
Did you manage to sort the clothes by color? Excellent. The second step is to sort the clothes according to the material they are made of. Different materials require different care when washing, so it is important to sort them.
- Cotton and linen the fabrics are durable and can be washed together.
- Delicate fabrics like silk or chiffon they should be washed separately or together with light, similar materials, to minimize the risk of damage.
- Wave and cashmere are delicate materials that require special care when washing. In most cases, this type of material is washed by hand or using a special program on the washing machine designed for these types of fabrics.
Beware of clothes that release color. Simply put the clothes in lukewarm water if you are not sure whether the color will come off. If so, wash such clothes only with clothes of the same color or consider investing in laundry detergent sheets, which you can also use during normal washing and thus enhance your washing to level 100.
However, remembering all the details about each outfit can be difficult, so the manufacturers decided to make it easier for us care labels.
3. What do the care labels on clothes mean?
Mysterious care labels, which are often like secret codes that you have to crack before throwing your favorite t-shirt in the washing machine, are all you need to know. Whether it is a symbol with a silver fish or a pictogram with a small figure, one thing is certain - they mean much more than meets the eye. You may encounter a situation where these symbols are not described on the label. In that case, deciphering them sometimes takes more time than washing itself. That's why we decided to explain what the individual brands mean in one comprehensive post.
Washing
Washing |
Machine wash permanent press |
Machine wash gentle cycle |
The clothes can be washed in the washing machine | Clothes need gentler care and less aggressive washing. The symbol with one line under the tub tells us that it is better to wash at lower temperatures and with reduced spin intensity | The symbol with two dashes under the tub indicates that the clothes can be washed in the washing machine, but only with gentler programs, such as the delicate wash program. It is recommended to use a lower water temperature and a less intense spin to minimize creasing and protect the fabric of the garment. |
Do not wash |
Hand wash |
Do not wring |
The crossed-out tub symbol indicates that the clothes should not be washed in the washing machine. Instead, it is recommended to use other cleaning methods such as hand washing or dry cleaning. This symbol warns that the washing machine could damage the material of the clothing or change its shape, color or quality. | The symbol of a hand in a tub of water indicates that clothes should be washed by hand. This symbol indicates that it is best to use a mild soap and treat the garment carefully by hand to minimize damage to the fabric. Such clothes should not be put in the washing machine. | The crossed out spin symbol indicates that the clothes should not be spun in the washing machine. This symbol indicates that the clothes should be removed from the washing machine before the spin cycle and that they should be hung or spread out to dry instead. |
Wring |
Wash at or below 30°C |
Wash at or below 40°C |
If you see the wring symbol on your clothes, it means that you can safely wring or spin them to remove excess water. | A tub with water and a value of 30°C in it means that the given clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. | A bathtub with water and a value of 40°C in it means that the given clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. |
Wash at or below 50°C |
Wash at or below 60°C |
Wash at or below 70°C |
A bathtub with water and a value of 50°C in it means that the given clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 50 degrees Celsius. | A bathtub with water and a value of 60°C in it means that the given clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. | A bathtub with water and a value of 70°C in it means that the given clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 70 degrees Celsius. |
Wash at or below 95°C |
Wash at or below 30°C |
Wash at or below 40°C |
A tub with water and a value of 95°C in it means that the clothes in question can be washed in a washing machine at very high water temperatures, a maximum of 95 degrees Celsius. This symbol indicates that it is advisable to use very warm water during washing, which is an effective method for thoroughly removing bacteria and micro-organisms, as well as for removing more difficult stains and dirt. However, it is important to make sure that the clothes are suitable for such high temperatures and that they are not damaged when washed in such hot water. |
A tub with water and one dot in it means that the clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. | A tub with water and two dots in it means that the clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. |
Wash at or below 50°C |
Wash at or below 60°C |
Wash at or below 70°C |
A tub with water and three dots in it means that the clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 50 degrees Celsius. | A tub with water and four dots in it means that the clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. | A tub with water and five dots in it means that the clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 70 degrees Celsius. |
Wash at or below 95°C |
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A tub with water and six dots in it means that the clothes can be washed in a washing machine at a maximum water temperature of 95 degrees Celsius. |
Drying
Natural dry |
Do not dry |
Line dry |
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Dry flat |
Drip dry |
Shade dry |
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Line dry in shade |
Dry flat in shade |
Drip dry in shade |
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Tumble dry, normal |
Tumble dry, low heat |
Tumble dry, medium heat |
Symbol „Tumble dry, normal“ znamená, že dané oblečenie možno sušiť v sušičke na prádlo, pri použití bežného programu alebo bežného cyklu sušenia. Tento symbol naznačuje, že je bezpečné použiť sušičku na oblečenie a že by ste mali zvoliť štandardný cyklus sušenia bez žiadnych špeciálnych nastavení. | Symbol „Tumble dry, low heat“ znamená, že dané oblečenie možno sušiť v sušičke na prádlo, ale pri nízkej teplote. Tento symbol naznačuje, že by ste mali použiť menej tepla počas sušenia, aby sa minimalizovalo riziko poškodenia alebo zmeny tvaru oblečenia. | Symbol „Tumble dry, medium heat“ znamená, že dané oblečenie možno sušiť v sušičke na prádlo, pri strednej teplote. Tento symbol naznačuje, že by ste mali použiť strednú úroveň tepla počas sušenia, ktorá je vhodná pre väčšinu typov oblečenia. |
Tumble dry, high heat |
Tumble dry, no heat |
Tumble dry, gentle |
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Tumble dry, very gentle |
Dry flat in shade |
Do not tumble dry |
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Cleaning
Dry clean, short cycle |
Dry clean, reduced moisture |
Dry clean, low heat |
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Dry clean, no steam |
Wet clean |
Do not wet clean |
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Gentle wet clean |
Very gentle wet clean |
Dry clean |
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Do not dry clean |
Dry clean, any solvent |
Dry clean, hydrocarbon solvent only |
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Gentle dry clean, hydrocarbon solvent only |
Very gentle dry clean, hydrocarbon solvent only |
Dry clean with PCE |
Symbol „Gentle dry clean, hydrocarbon solvent only“ naznačuje, že dané oblečenie by malo byť čistené chemickým spôsobom, pri ktorom sa používajú iba hydrokarbónové rozpúšťadlá, avšak s jemnejším prístupom. | Symbol „Very gentle dry clean, hydrocarbon solvent only“ znamená, že dané oblečenie by malo byť čistené chemickým spôsobom, pri ktorom sa používajú len hydrokarbónové rozpúšťadlá, avšak s veľmi jemným prístupom. Tento symbol indikuje, že oblečenie je veľmi citlivé a vyžaduje mimoriadne šetrné zaobchádzanie počas procesu čistenia. | Symbol „Dry clean with PCE“ naznačuje, že dané oblečenie je vhodné na chemické čistenie, pri ktorom sa používa perklóretylén (PCE) ako rozpúšťadlo. Perchlóretylén je jedným z najbežnejších chemických látok používaných v čistiarniach na odstránenie škvŕn a nečistôt z oblečenia. |
Gentle dry clean with PCE |
Very gentle dry clean with PCE |
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Whitening
Bleaching |
Do not bleach |
Do not bleach |
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Chlorine bleach |
Non-chlorine bleach |
Non-chlorine bleach |
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Ironing
Iron |
Do not iron |
Iron at low temperature |
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Iron at medium temperature |
Iron at high temperature |
Steam |
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Do not steam |
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4. Correct loading of the washing machine
Correct loading of the washing machine is key to achieving efficient washing. If the washing machine is too full, the clothes may not be mixed enough, which can lead to dirt and uneven washing. On the other hand, when the washing machine is empty, you wash inefficiently (you spend more electricity and water, you wash more and more often).
For optimal washing, we recommend filling the washing machine to 2/3 of its capacity (so that it is possible to put your hand on top of the laundry and move it easily).
If there is a print on the clothing, there is a chance that it will deteriorate over time through washing (cracks, tears, or washing). This may be due to the low quality of the printed material or damage during washing. The best way to prevent this is to put the clothes (sweatshirt or T-shirt) in the washing machine inside out (with the label facing out). This will prevent the print from rubbing against other clothes, zippers or the drum. As long as the print is stretchy (elastic) and of good quality, just like on clothes REFFLEKT, will last you a very long time.
5. Choosing the right detergent
Another important step is to choose the right detergent
Washing powder |
Liquid gel |
Gel capsule or tablets |
Affordable They keep clothes white Copes with stains Dark colors can fade (often contains bleach, so watch out for clothes that must not be bleached) Suitable for higher washing temperatures (otherwise it may not dissolve) |
Ideal for colorful clothes Does not contain bleach More gentle on clothes It dissolves more easily It does not have to deal with very stubborn stains |
They do not cause clothes to fade Universal Higher price |
Pour into the appropriate container |
Pour into the appropriate container |
Place at the bottom of the washing drum (under the clothes) |
You can pour/pour/throw all three detergents directly into the clothes drum, but if your washing machine has a container for washing powder or liquid gel, it is best to pour/pour the washing powder or liquid gel into the container. The washing machine will already take care of the correct dosing and mixing. DO NOT COMBINE DETERGENTS. Dose the detergent according to the instructions on the package.
Are you allergic? Detergents can contain many allergens. Increase caution in making the right choice.
Choose a special detergent also when washing children's clothes, as children's skin is very sensitive.
Detergent according to the type of clothing
To make matters worse, there are several types of detergents:
- Detergent for colored laundry
- Detergent for black laundry
- Detergent for white laundry
- Detergent for delicate fabrics or wool
- Detergent for feathers
- Detergent for jeans
- Detergent with disinfectant
- Detergent for cleaning the washing machine (yes, even the washing machine needs to be washed or otherwise cleaned from time to time)
- Detergent for children's clothes
6. Fabric softener
If you are allergic to fabric softener components, definitely do not use it. Fabric softener keeps clothes fragrant and pleasant to wear.
Types of fabric softener:
Traditional fabric softeners: These are intended for general use and softening of most fabrics. They contain fragrances and ingredients that reduce static electricity.
Hypoallergenic fabric softeners: Designed for people with sensitive skin or allergies, these fabric softeners do not contain perfumes and dyes that can irritate the skin.
Eco-friendly fabric softeners: These products are made from natural or biodegradable ingredients, thus minimizing the negative impact on the environment.
Softeners for sports and functional clothing: Specially formulated for technical and synthetic fabrics often used by athletes. These fabric softeners help maintain the breathability and functionality of fabrics.
Concentrated fabric softeners: They have a higher concentration of active substances, so a smaller amount is sufficient for one wash, which saves space and money.
7. Drying
After the washing cycle, it is necessary to let the clothes dry. Here it is equally important to stick to the instructions on care labels. Do this as soon as possible so that the clothes do not stay in the washing machine for a long time. Otherwise, the clothes may become stale. If you have the space for it, the best thing to do is to let the clothes dry in the fresh air. This will keep the clothes fresh and fragrant (again, pay attention to the care instructions, some clothes cannot be dried in the sun, etc.). If you are in a hurry and the clothes are suitable for the dryer, you can dry them there, but always follow the instructions on the label.8. Ironing
Proper ironing not only improves the appearance of your clothes, but can also extend their life. Always check before you start ironing label on clothes, which provides important information on how to properly care for clothing. If possible, use steam when ironing. Steam helps to soften fabric fibers, making them easier to iron. Soft fibers are easier to smooth, so the steam contributes to the removal of even the most stubborn creases. In addition, steam also helps with disinfection.
When ironing, avoid places with prints, graphics or patches. An iron of any temperature can do this part damage
However, if you absolutely need to iron this part as well, you can try ironing through a moistened towel or baking paper. However, we do not recommend this step. Here you proceed at your own risk. Avoid ironing graphics, prints or patches!
During ironing, do not stay in one place for a long time and gradually remove the creases by applying adequate force.
After ironing, let the clothes cool on a hanger to prevent new wrinkles from forming. Then store it in your closet to keep it smooth and ready to wear.
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