Dear Addie: I don't know how to do laundry...
Dear Addie, I need help with my laundry! I feel like ever since I left home, my clothes are stained and just don't feel clean like they did when my mom washed them at home. How do I get the stains out and why does my mom keep mentioning dryer sheets? - Grass Stained Greg
Hi Greg, Oh laundry, one of the many chores that will follow you through adulthood, insisting on attention no matter what. It seems the joy of laundry has gotten you down Greg. Let me see if I can pick you back up with these pointers:
- Do your laundry weekly. Don't let your dirty clothes sit for too long. The longer they sit, the more likely the stains you are experiencing will be set forever. And include your sheets every other week if you can, the cleaner the sheets, the healthier the human.
- When you do a load, spray the stains with a stain remover or give them a good scrub with a small dollop of dish soap before throwing them in the washing machine.
- Wash your clothes with cold water. Cold water helps prevent shrinking during washing and is much more energy efficient than hot water.
- Once the washer has completed its cycle, remove your clothes and shake them out before they go in the dryer.
- **Hot tip! Don't leave your clothes in the washer for long periods of time. A long stint in a wet environment will produce nothing but the smell of mildew and cranky neighbors... your clothes may even end up on top of the washer or on the floor if others aren't in the mood to wait.
- Dry your clothes on low heat. High heat can cause shrinking, and I mean serious shrinkage. Also, throw a dryer sheet in with each load. Your clothes will come out softer and (assuming you know which dryer sheets your mom uses) they will smell clean, just like home!
Good luck!
Dear Addie is written by Addie H., a CU alum. She was admitted to CU as an open option student and as she got involved on campus, she quickly found her path as a writer and expert advice giver. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dog Odin, watching all the medical drama TV shows that exist and going on trips to Target.