There are probably many families who do all the laundry on the weekends, either because they live alone and don't have much laundry to do, or because both parents work and are busy on weekdays.
However, there are many disadvantages to leaving laundry out for long periods of time.
This time, Rie Hirashima, a mother of four and a laundry expert, will introduce precautions and remedies when washing laundry in bulk on weekends.
Bacteria breeds when dirty laundry is left in storage!
Unpleasant odor from laundry stored in storage! What is the cause?
Have you ever experienced a bad odor coming from your accumulated laundry, laundry basket, or washing machine, or that you can't get the odor out even after washing? The odor may be caused by bacteria and mold .When dirty laundry is left unattended, a bacteria called ``Moraxella'' grows.
Moraxella bacteria feeds on the sebum, protein, and moisture left in the laundry and produces something like feces, which causes unpleasant odors in the laundry.
Also, leaving laundry unattended can cause mold to grow .
Mold prefers places with a humidity of 60% or higher, where water and moisture tend to accumulate, and it thrives on protein and fat as nutrients.
Therefore, accumulated laundry is the perfect environment for mold.
Ideas for storing laundry to prevent the growth of germs
If you wash all your laundry on the weekend, the way you store your laundry before washing can lead to the growth of bacteria and mold! We will show you how to store laundry to prevent the growth of germs.
Place the laundry basket in a well-ventilated place
We recommend a mesh type laundry basket or one with holes in the sides .Moisture tends to accumulate in the laundry area, so it's best to keep it in a well-ventilated area.
Don't overcrowd the laundry basket
Be careful not to put too much laundry in the laundry basket, as this will reduce ventilation and cause moisture to accumulate.If you have a lot of laundry to do, consider preparing two laundry baskets.
Put dirty laundry and wet laundry in separate baskets
If laundry with sebum and protein stains and laundry with a lot of moisture are in the same place, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mold.If you can't wash wet laundry right away, we recommend hanging it out to dry before putting it in the laundry basket.
Do not let laundry accumulate in the washing tub
Some people may store their laundry in the washing tub instead of in the laundry basket, but this is definitely a no-no! Moisture and soap scum, which is a favorite food of mold, tend to accumulate on the back side of the washing tub, and if you put dirty clothes there, mold and bacteria will grow in the washing tub and on your clothes.Place laundry in the washing tub just before washing.
Weekend bulk washing | Laundry ideas that give clean results and save time
Laundry basics you should follow to get clean results when washing in bulk
Do not use rush mode for bulk washing
When doing laundry on the weekend, people tend to choose the rush mode to save time, but we do not recommend the rush mode .Hurry mode saves time, water, and electricity by reducing the number of rinses and spins by one, but this means fewer times to replace dirty water and rinse .
In other words, bacteria, dirt, and dirty cleaning fluid cannot be washed away, and dirt and odors remain on clothes, which may require washing again.
The shortest way to save time and money is to ensure that your clothes are thoroughly washed in just one wash.
Be sure to rinse at least twice .
Preparation before washing is important
If you don't prepare in advance because you're busy, you may end up in trouble.If you end up washing your laundry and it's covered in tissues or the color has smeared on it, you'll probably end up feeling really tired if you fail to do it on the weekend.
Things to check before washing
- Check what's in your pocket
- Separate colored and white items
- Place decorative items or delicate fabrics in a net.
- Close with zipper
Clean your washing machine regularly to prevent laundry odors.
While the washing machine is not in use, the back of the washing tub may become full of mold.Even when the washing machine is not in use, don't forget to open the lid and door to thoroughly ventilate and dry the inside of the washing machine .
We also recommend that you get into the habit of cleaning your laundry tank once a month , using the time you don't do laundry on weekdays.
The reason why there is a bad smell after washing your clothes may be because the washing tub is dirty in the first place.
Clean all the accumulated laundry! Points for bulk washing
Tips for bulk washing ① Don't overload the washing machine with laundry
If there is a large amount of laundry, the washing machine will not be able to spin and its cleaning power will decrease.In the case of a top-loading washing machine, leave about 70 to 80% of the washing tub full, and in the case of a drum-type washing machine, leave about two fists of room at the top when loading the laundry.
If you have a lot of laundry, you can make a difference by running the washing machine twice instead of forcing it into the laundry.
What detergent is recommended for bulk washing?
An alkaline powder detergent is recommended for bulk washing.It has higher cleaning power than liquid and is perfect for removing sebum and food residue.
Tips for bulk washing ② For heavily soiled and smelly laundry, the correct solution is to soak it in hot water.
Dirt can be difficult to remove or damage the fabric, so separate the items by type, such as the degree of stain or color, before washing.If you are concerned about dirt or odors , soaking the laundry in hot water of 40℃ or higher before putting it in the washing machine will make it easier for sebum stains to come out.
In this case, you can get even better results by using Rinenna powder detergent, which contains enzymes that break down proteins.
Tips for washing laundry in bulk cleanly and efficiently
Wash the clothes for the first time while they are soaking. Once the washing is finished, wash the soaked items. Dry the first wash. Towels have a larger volume compared to clothing, and the cleaning effect of drum-type towels tends to decrease.It is also recommended to wash towels separately , as dirt and odors can easily penetrate deep into the fibers.
Greatly shorten the time to dry your laundry! Time-saving ideas & useful goods
Tips for drying laundry quickly
The important thing when drying clothes both indoors and outdoors is to have good ventilation.When drying clothes indoors, we recommend hanging them in the center of the room rather than by the window.
It is also important to dry laundry at least a fist-width apart so that it does not overlap.
Thick items should be turned inside out , and items with hoods should be hung up on a pole using a special hanger or clothespins to dry them more easily.
Convenient time-saving goods
It is also effective to use a circulator or electric fan to improve ventilation.At that time, using thick hangers will improve ventilation.
You can also spread newspaper, baking soda or charcoal on the floor, or use a dehumidifier to absorb moisture and save time.
If you cannot secure a place to dry your clothes indoors, we recommend using an air conditioner hanger that can be installed directly below the air conditioner.
It won't get in the way, and the air conditioner will dry your laundry more easily.
