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With the help of our friends at Steele Canvas<\/a>\u2014makers of durable, high-quality canvas baskets\u2014we\u2019re tackling all things laundry. Here, we\u2019re debunking some of the most common laundry myths, from freezing jeans to separating lights and darks.<\/em><\/p>\n For such a common household task, doing the laundry the right way can be unexpectedly confusing. From deciphering garments\u2019 hard-to-decode care tags to concocting homemade stain-removal solutions, it can feel like everyone uses their own set of rules for cleaning\u2014and maintaining\u2014their clothes and home textiles. To demystify this seemingly simple chore, we\u2019re coming clean about six of the most common and pervasive laundry myths.<\/p>\n Sometimes you want to avoid too much of a good thing. Though it\u2019s essential to getting your clothes clean, using too much<\/em> laundry detergent<\/a> can cause your clothes to come out of the wash not fully rinsed out and still coated in detergent residue. As a result, your garments might feel stiff\u2014even crunchy\u2014rather than soft and supple. For a large load of laundry (weighing at least 12 pounds), you only need two tablespoons of detergent, says The New York Times<\/em>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a fun thought, but sadly, the idea that freezing jeans can effectively clean them is a myth. While a trip to the freezer may temporarily eliminate odors from a dirty pair of jeans, the average home freezer is not cold enough to kill bacteria. If you\u2019re concerned about the longevity of your denim, you\u2019re better off only washing it when necessary, using a cold cycle, and hanging it to dry rather than throwing it in the dryer.<\/p>\n Sorting your laundry according to color can<\/em> be useful when you\u2019re dealing with highly pigmented items, but it\u2019s not always the most important guideline. Instead, it\u2019s also worth considering the types of fabrics your garments are made from: Delicate items are best washed on gentle, whereas heavy duty fabrics can withstand a more intensive wash cycle.<\/p>\n Pro tip: If you want to make things easy on laundry day and have the space for it, use two hampers instead of one. That way, your laundry will always<\/em> be sorted. (For this purpose, we\u2019re fans of the 4BU from Steele Canvas\u2019 Elevated Truck collection<\/a>, which can be ordered with a canvas divider to keep different laundry categories separated.)<\/p>\n It\u2019s counterintuitive, because washing machines are the things that do<\/em> the cleaning, but these appliances also need the occasional scrub-down. From mildew and mold to accumulations of laundry detergent and fabric softener, a not-clean washer will leave your clothes that way, too. According to most experts, cleaning your washing machine with a cup of vinegar<\/a> or a special, store-bought cleanser every month or so should keep it in tip-top shape.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re under the impression that only hot or warm water can really remove the dirt and grime from your laundry, you might want to reconsider. Today, modern laundry detergents are formulated so that they are equally effective in hot and cold water, says Apartment Therapy<\/em>. Moreover, it\u2019s better for the planet<\/a>: Not only do cold wash cycles require less energy, they\u2019re also gentler on fabrics, can help your clothes last longer, and often allow you to wash in fewer loads (since there\u2019s no need to separate hot- and cold-water items). If you\u2019re tackling large loads of laundry, though, we recommend an elevated rolling cart\u2014like the ones from Steele Canvas<\/a>\u2014to take some of the strain off your back.<\/p>\n This one did<\/em> used to be true, back when hairspray was made with enough alcohol to dissolve ink stains. Today, however, hairsprays typically contain very little (if any) alcohol, meaning they\u2019re less than ideal for stain removal<\/a>. Instead? Grab some rubbing alcohol and use it to gently blot the stain.<\/p>\n Since 1921, Steele Canvas has been producing sturdy, U.S.-made utility products that work in any room of your home, whether you\u2019re upgrading your laundry room, kitchen, or bedroom. A family-owned and -run business to this day, all of Steele Canvas\u2019 baskets, trucks, and caddies are made to order in Massachusetts, using ultra-strong steel frames and durable, heavy-duty canvas. To find out more and see their full product line, head to Steele Canvas\u2019 site<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n1. More Detergent = Cleaner Clothes<\/h3>\n
2. Freeze Jeans to Kill Bacteria<\/h3>\n
3. Separating Lights & Darks Is Most Important<\/h3>\n
4. Washing Machines Don\u2019t Need to Be Cleaned<\/h3>\n
5. Cold Water Doesn\u2019t Clean Effectively<\/h3>\n
6. Hairspray Can Remove Ink Stains<\/h3>\n
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\nWhat’s your best laundry tip? Tell us in the comments!<\/em>
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