How to Wash Delicates and Fine Washables and Save Money: Laundry Tips

Dry cleaning is expensive! Save money by washing your own dainties and fine washables -- undergarments, sweaters,jackets -- instead of sending them to the dry cleaners.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Patent 1866

   Use a plastic tub in your sink to wash undergarments. Fill with warm water and a tiny capful of gentle laundry detergent. Add your undergarments and let them soak for a few minutes. Swish them around in the water, rinse gently, and hang on a hangar to dry. For bras, use the plastic hangars with strap cutouts, and hang the bra straps through the strap cutouts as if it was on your body. Hang somewhere (e.g., on the shower head in your bathtub) where they can drip-dry. They'll dry faster and won't lose their shape.

2. 
    
   Washer

   Check the tags before washing a sweater or jacket or any other item. Make sure the tag does NOT say "DRY CLEAN ONLY." If it does, you're off to the drycleaners. If not, follow these directions. First turn the article of clothing inside out. Wash only like colors together -- if in doubt, wash one at a time. Choose the delicate cycle on the washing machine, choose cold water, and choose the smallest load. Add a small amount of detergent. Turn on the washing machine.

3. 
    
   Rabbit in the Dryer

   Keep sweaters, jackets, or other fine washables inside out when you dry them. Add several dryer sheets to the dryer (this is not wasteful - leave them in the dryer for the next load after you take the sweater out). Set the timer for less than 10 minutes. Place the item in the dryer and turn it on. Stick close to the laundry room during those 10 minutes to be sure to get the item out as soon as the 10 minutes is up to avoid wrinkles. Find a place to hang the damp sweater or jacket until it dries...over a clean shower curtain rod, for example. Another idea - cover a banister with an inexpensive plastic tablecloth (to protect the finish on the banister) and hang the sweater over. It is better to find a place to hang the sweater than a hangar, because a hanger will leave either shoulder marks or a fold in the middle. Also, every time you walk by the banister, you can turn or change the position of the item so that a different section dries. Good luck!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you stick close to the dryer when drying sweaters and other fine washables. If they are in longer than 10 minutes, you run the risk of shrinkage. The only reason you put them in the dryer with the dryer sheets is to fluff them up, ease out wrinkles, add scent, and soften up so when they hang dry they won't be stiff.
• ALWAYS CHECK THE TAGS FOR WASHING INSTRUCTIONS!

[2besure]

on 7/25/2009 Cool! I never heard of this.