Q. It is difficult to acknowledge, but it is clear that I don't really know how to do laundry. When less of my income was going toward other things, I dry-cleaned nearly everything, and now that I am in a building with machines and washing most of my clothes in them, they do not look great. I separate into whites and others, but clearly there has to be more to the task, or is it that everyone else has wrinkle-free clothing?
A. Good for you! Not a lot of men admit to doing their own laundry and even fewer ask for advice. Laundry know-how is not in the genes. I must admit that not everyone is as obsessive as I am about how my laundry is done. Once I lent my own sister an item of clothing with the clear understanding that she must return it to me unwashed, so I could launder it myself.
Before you even begin, first check the label. If it says, "Dry-clean only," believe it. If not, here are some helpful tips to keep your washable garments looking new.
• Treat any stains or spots by using a pre-treatment product or by pouring a bit of your regular detergent directly on the spot and allowing the garment to sit anywhere from a few minutes to a few days until you do your next load.
• Sort your clothes into separate categories -- not just two, but whites, lights, darks and reds. I know this sounds like a nuisance (you may only do a load of reds as seldom as once a month), but believe me, the extra effort is well worth paying attention. One red sock in a white load can result in a pile of pinks -- not the ideal color for your best polo shirts and cotton underwear.
Wash loads should be a mixture of small and large items of similar colors. Don't overload, so clothes can move freely. It is better to run two loads than to fill the washer too full. Don't skimp on detergent. For an extra scrubbing effect, especially when washing whites, include a white terry bath towel in the load.
• Set the controls on the washing machine. Use "normal" selection for most clothes, but be sure to adjust the setting for delicate items. "Delicate" does not necessarily mean frilly, feminine garments. A favorite cotton sweater can qualify. When I wash a sweater or anything with embellishments, such as studs, I first turn the garment inside out, and then slip it into a zippered mesh laundry bag to protect it from abrasion.
• Select the right water temperature. If you don't know, check the care label, but generally hot water is recommended for whites, although I never use it because I believe it is hard on clothes. Warm water should be used for most of your laundry. Cold water helps keep dyes from running or fading on dark or bright-colored clothing.
• Liquid bleach should be treated with respect and caution. Never pour it directly onto clothes; put it in the water before adding your all-white items, or pour it into the washer's small bleach receptacle. If a mostly white garment has colored trim, do not use liquid bleach. The trim will fade.
• Dark clothing needs a different type of detergent. I use "Woolite Darks" laundry detergent for all black and dark clothing to avoid color bleeding and to keep intense dyes from turning gray or fading.
• When using the dryer, don't wrinkle or shrink fabrics by over-drying. Certain clothes, such as quality socks and clothes with elastic, really should not go into the dryer at all. Instead, drape them on the cross-bar of a pants hanger.
And, unless you love to iron, remove garments promptly, perhaps while still the slightest bit damp. Use your hands to "iron" (smooth out) the fabric. Hang shirts on hangers.
OTHER USEFUL HINTS
Empty all pockets before doing laundry. (Tissues make a terrible mess.) Zip up the zippers on pants and jackets before washing.
For questions or for a copy of "The Guide to Fabric Care Symbols," call (800) ASK-WISK. Perhaps my best piece of advice is to stick to these rules consistently, rather than just most of the time. One botched washing can ruin a load of your clothing ... maybe permanently.
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High Profile on 12/21/2014