How to get the most out of a washing machine
Short answer: A three-quarter full drum, the right amount of detergent and a programme that matches the load give the best result. An overfilled machine and too much soap are the two most common mistakes, and both are easy to fix.
A three-quarter full drum
The clothes need room to move so water and detergent can reach everywhere. A full drum washes noticeably worse than one that is three-quarters full, because the items press against each other instead of turning freely. Stop loading before the machine is completely full, even if it means an extra wash now and then. See bamboo towels.
Dose for your water hardness
Too little detergent will not shift grease and skin oils properly, while too much only partly rinses out and stays behind as residue in the fibres. The dose on the packet accounts for water hardness, which varies from one area to the next. Look up your own hardness level and adjust the amount accordingly, instead of using the same scoop every time.
Choose the short programme
For ordinary, lightly soiled washing, a short programme at low temperature is usually enough to get it clean. Long programmes put more strain on both fibres and elastane without giving a better result day to day. Save the long, hot programmes for laundry that genuinely needs it, such as towels or bedding after an illness.
Clean the machine regularly
Over time the washing machine collects detergent residue and grease in the seals and pump, especially if you wash cold. An empty wash at 90 degrees a few times a year removes most of it and prevents both smell and mould. See bamboo bedding if your bedding needs a thorough wash at the same time.
Leave the door open
After a wash, leaving the door open keeps the machine dry inside and stops smell from settling into the rubber seal. The same goes for the detergent drawer, which should stay slightly open so residue can dry. It costs no extra time and makes a real difference to how fresh the machine smells over time.
Sort by colour and fabric
Dark and light clothes should always be washed apart, since even old, coloured clothes still release a little dye. Also keep smooth fabrics away from towelling, as towels shed fluff for their first many washes. See bamboo underwear for men for examples of clothes best washed separately at low temperature.
Use the right temperature
40 degrees is enough for almost everything in an ordinary household. A higher temperature rarely gets clothes cleaner but breaks down elastane faster and raises the risk of colours running. Save 60 degrees for tea towels, underwear after illness and other items that genuinely need disinfecting.
Go easy on fabric softener
Fabric softener sits as a film on the fibres, and on functional clothing it can block their ability to move moisture away from the body. Skip it or use very little, especially on underwear and sportswear. Read more in washing and care, where the general advice is gathered.
Learn the care symbols
The wash symbols in a garment show the maximum temperature and the right programme, and they are faster to check than to guess. If in doubt, always pick the gentlest programme the symbols allow, so the clothes last longer and you avoid the frustration of shrunk or damaged fabric.
Frequently asked questions
How full can the washing machine be?
About three-quarters full is ideal. The clothes need room to move in the drum to get properly clean, and a completely full machine gives a worse result.
Is a long programme better than a short one?
Rarely for ordinary, lightly soiled washing. A short programme at low temperature is usually enough, and it is gentler on both fibres and elastane.
How often should the machine be cleaned?
A few times a year is enough, with an empty wash at 90 degrees. It removes detergent residue and grease from the seals and pump, preventing smell and mould.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
