How do you do laundry?

Question

Yeah I know this is really stupid, but I'm serious :-)

Okay, so I'm 15 and I've never done laundry. I don't really *have* to do it, but my mom is always complaining about how much laundry she has to do so I figured I'd just start doing some of it so she wouldn't have to do so much all the time. How do you do laundry though? I know how to fold clothes (I do that all the time), but as far as washing them--how do you do it? I know how to separate the clothes, but how much soap do you put in? Hot water/Cold water? How do you know when the clothes are ready to be put in the dryer? How long do I dry them for? Please give me details--I don't want to shrink or mess up anything! Thanks! ! !

Answer 1

To be safe, wash them in cold water.
and dry them on low/delicate heat.
You will know when they are ready to go into the dryer when the washer stops after a long spin cycle.
For a full load, put in a cup of detergent, for smaller loads use less.
Just don't use more than 1 cup.
If you see an article of clothing that looks like delicate/fragile or expensive fabric, leave it alone for your mom to handle.

Answer 2

Ok I was the same way so I will tell you what I know. Seperate all your clothes white colors with whites, colored with colors. Underwear, bras, and other delicates should be washed gently in a special bag they have for them. Never dry bras in the washer because it can mishape the underwire. Like tans are okay to put with white sometimes. Never wash new clothes with anything because the color may run especially with jeans. Wash them a couple of times and see if it is okay then. Always wash whites and colors separatly. If you leave anything colored in with whites you could end up with everything dyed that color. Dont jam too much clothes in the washing machine. Consult tags to see if they should be washed in what kind of water ( warm cold) Hot water shrinks stuff. Spray stain stick or get a good bleach to use on the stains. Let it sit for a minute or two then put it in the machine. Turn the water on using the knob and start putting clothes in. When the basin is about not half full measure out the laundry soap and pour some in. Not too much because it can cause a laundry explosion. Usually there is a marker in the cap where you pour the stuff into measure it. Fill the washer a good amount and close the door. You should wait untill you hear the water go off. When they are fully done washing and rinsing the machine should have turned off. Next move everything to the dryer. Put heavier stuff with heavier stuff ( like towels with towels) Make sure you get them dry as quick as possible because they can start to smell if you dont get them dry asap. Put in a dryer sheet or fabric softener sheet in there. Dry everything on a not too hot temperature setting and fold.

Answer 3

Ask your mom to show you how she likes things done.

In general:

Read the bottle/box of detergent and it will tell you how much to use. Honestly, unless the clothes are really nasty you can probably get by with using about half the amount of detergent they recommend.

Separate clothes by color and weight. You'll probably end up with a load of whites, a load of colors and maybe also a load of dark colors like reds. Never wash reds and whites together unless you want it all turned pink! Heavy things like jeans should all be a load together. Make sure all pockets are empty. If you are unsure about a certain item of clothing, read the tag. There should be some laundry instructions on it. Whites will be washed in warm or hot water. Lighter colors in warm water. Reds or dark colors that could bleed in cold water. Jeans should probably be cold water so they don't shrink.

The washer will run until it's done. When it stops, move things to the dryer. You may want to check tags to see if there is anything that says you should hang it to dry or lay it flat to dry. You usually don't dry your sweaters, for example, but lay them out flat somewhere to dry instead. You'll probably want to add a fabric softener sheet to the dryer to keep things soft and keep static away.

HTH!

Answer 4

I wash everything I own in cold water.First I separate my clothes into loads (by color) don't mix colors. Then you just pick a cycle on the washing machine and turn it on. I usually use one scoop of soap per load. When the cycle is done the washing machine will stop, then you can put them in the dryer. Make sure you always read labels on clothes for washing instructions (some clothes have to be hand washed or dry cleaned, or can be washed in the machine but not put in the dryer etc..). Good luck.

Answer 5

1) Separate colors, whites, and delicates.
2) Buy all purpose and color safe detergent like "Tide".
3) Set washing machine cycle based on laundry type.
4) Use half cup of detergent for normal size load. Use more for larger loads or heavily soiled clothes.
5) Your laundry should be done in 30 minutes.
6) Then place clothes in dryer for set time based on laundry type.
Good luck.

Answer 6

Seperate the clothes in to piles Whites, Darks, Colors, and towels. Whites get washed in Hot water with some bleck or Oxy and A cap full of laundry getergent, Darks get washed cold with a cap full of laundry detergent. Towels and Colors both get washed warm with a capful of laundry detrgent. For all wash es add Fabric softner at the begining of rinse cycle.
Good Luck!!

Answer 7

First you need to seperate clothes by color and material. For example seperate all jeans, dark color clothes, and light color clothes. This will prevent any of you clothes to get damaged. Then on you washing machine you need to turn it on the cycle you need (Normal or Heavy). Turn it on and put the soap in the washer. (Usually all detergents will help you measure how much soap you need to use) ONLY USE BLEACH FOR WHITE CLOTHES IF NEEDED! Then put your clothes in it. Now if you use softener then you will need to put it in when the clothes is rinsing or you may put it in a dispenser that all washer usually have. Finally, you let the machine do all the work. I think what you are doing will really help your mom alot and she will really appreciate it.

Answer 8

Okay everybody washes their clothes differently. And for your age you should of started at the age of 12 yrs. old. Anyways
separate your clothes, all white together, dark in a separate
pile, light color clothes put in a single pile. Then if your mom
uses liquid detergent then use a cap full. Turn the knob to normal
or heavy load cycle for dark and color clothing, White would be
small loads. Use cold water for dark, warm for color clothes,
and hot or cold for whites. Now I would turn on the washing machine on so water is starting to fill up, add detergent, wait
a few seconds then add clothes in washing machine. If your going to add fabric softener wait until light goes on (if you don't
have that light, then wait until the cycle starts filling up again)
then pour in fabric softener. Once laundry is finished then put
them in the dryer for at least 40 minutes to make sure it dries
thoroughly. As for myself I don't dry my daughters blouses, nor
our T-Shirts(due to that it will shrink and fade). So that is up to you, if you want to dry your blouses. I hang dry. Now since you
said you know how to fold your clothes, then the laundry is done.
A washer takes at least 30 minutes and give or take 40 minutes
for the drier. So take it from there. It's better to start early on the
morning or around 6 PM. So get to it and Good Luck!! My Daughter start washing her own clothes when she was 12 yrs.
old and so did my son. Now I have a 9 yr. old at home and she
helps me with the wash, but she know when she turns 12 she'll
start doing it on her own. My niephew lives with me and he started as soon as he moved in with us. It's easy once you get
the hang of it.

Answer 9

all that stuff depends on the type of washer and dryer ur family owns and what type of clothes(fabric) ur washing most clothes will tell u on the lable how to wash them but if u really wanna be carefull then ask ur mom to show/help u once or twice

Answer 10

depends on the washer and dryer ask your mom