I wore it again
How often you should wash your clothes is a hot topic for debate in households up and down the country.
How often is too often?
How long is too long between washes?
Can you really squeeze another day’s wear out of that bra?
Or is it so long since that pair of jeans last saw the washing machine that they could get up and walk to the utility room - all by themselves?
How often should you do the laundry?
The fact is, we’ve all got to wash our clothes sooner or later. The clobber in contact with our skin absorbs everything that pours from our pores, while outerwear has to face the world and everything it throws at us. And whether it’s blood, sweat or tears that puts in an appearance on your favourite work shirt (not to mention ketchup, coffee and baby sick), the time comes when you have to say enough is enough. But when is that time, exactly? How long can you really get away with when it comes to wearing the same set of PJs? We surveyed people in the UK to see how strong their laundry knowledge was, and the results were fascinating. For starters, 36% of people in the UK have had to change their washing habits due to the cost-of-living crisis/energy price hike. 50% are now washing at a lower temperature and generally using the washing machine less to help cut costs. So it’s clear that getting your washing habits right is not just important from a cleanliness and hygiene perspective, but also for when it comes to energy efficiency and saving money too. So, let’s find out once and for all how often you should be powering up your washing machine.
How does the UK scrub up when it comes to washing laundry?
So, you now have a better idea of how often you should be washing your bras, jeans, shirts and PJs. But how does your laundry knowledge match up with the rest of the UK? Our survey came up with some interesting findings, not least that 1 in 10 Brits don’t know what any of the symbols or settings mean on their washing machines! That could be for a number of reasons – perhaps some of today’s adults didn’t help out much as children when it came to dealing with family laundry. Or maybe 1 in 10 simply doesn’t bother with instruction manuals? Whatever the reason, this lack of laundry knowledge could go some way to explaining why 65% of respondents admitted they had either shrunk or damaged clothes in the washing machine.
But there are other areas of struggle too. Perhaps worryingly, blood stains were the most searched for stain online, with a yearly search volume of 47,250 people looking to find how best to get rid of them from laundry items. Less macabre was second-placed mud, with 15,280 searches a year from those who found their washing machines full of sports kit each weekend. In 6th place, 2,710 searches a year for poo stains would seem to indicate that no matter how careful new parents and pet-owners are, little accidents still occur when toilet-training puppies or changing baby’s nappy.
Solid scrubs: the stains Brits struggle with most
How to keep your washing machine clean
Worried your washing machine might be getting a bit whiffy? Seems odd doesn’t it – a machine that cleans is starting to pong. But when you consider how much dirty laundry it washes, week after week, then it stands to reason that some of that dirt is going to linger. Mould can be a culprit too, as moisture can get trapped in all kinds of nooks and crannies.
And according to our survey, nearly a quarter of Brits are not cleaning their washing machine enough, risking the longevity of their appliance and their clothes. So, if you’re wondering how to clean a washing machine, here are a few helpful tips to help you keep your electronic laundry pal in tip top shape.
Check the manual
First things first, check to see if your washing machine has a self-cleaning programme. Some manufacturers ask you to steer clear of de-scaling products, so be wary before you get cracking.
Air dry drawer
After every wash, pop out the detergent drawer (most can click out easily – again, check the manual first) give it a clean out and leave it to dry with your pots and pans on the dishrack. Leaving the drawer in place wash after wash gives mould the opportunity to take hold, but a quick clean and dry will stop that.
Leave the door open
Same as the detergent drawer, if you leave the door open after a wash so that the drum and door seal can air-dry, you significantly reduce the risk of mould. Be sure to wipe in and around the rubber seals too.
Vinegar scrub
Vinegar is a fantastic ally when it comes to cleaning, and no more so than with a washing machine. Every three to six months, fill your washing machine with hot water, add two cups of white vinegar, and set it to run a full cycle (without any laundry whatsoever). When the cycle is finished, wipe the drum clean. After that, run another cycle with clean water only. Hey presto – a super sparkly drum, free from grime, mould, and mildew.
De-filth the filter
Turn off your machine first and lay a towel on the floor to catch any water. Then open the filter and give it a good clean. Do this once a month.
Air dry drawer
After every wash, pop out the detergent drawer (most can click out easily – again, check the manual first) give it a clean out and leave it to dry with your pots and pans on the dishrack. Leaving the drawer in place wash after wash gives mould the opportunity to take hold, but a quick clean and dry will stop that.
Vinegar scrub
Vinegar is a fantastic ally when it comes to cleaning, and no more so than with a washing machine. Every three to six months, fill your washing machine with hot water, add two cups of white vinegar, and set it to run a full cycle (without any laundry whatsoever). When the cycle is finished, wipe the drum clean. After that, run another cycle with clean water only. Hey presto – a super sparkly drum, free from grime, mould, and mildew.
