First published: 4 March 2022 @ 6:00 pm
Laundry residue is a problem for every person. You may think that it’s not a big deal but in fact, it can make your clothes smell bad.
Laundry residue can also leave marks on your clothes. But the worst thing about laundry residue is that it can ruin your clothes and make them unwearable.
Today, we will be discussing how to get rid of laundry residue on your clothes and how to prevent it from happening again.
If you want to know how to remove laundry residue from clothes, read this article!
What is Causing the Residue?
Laundry detergent residue is caused by a number of factors. Some of the most common include the following:
Too Much Fabric Softeners
Fabric softeners are usually used to make clothes softer. They are very useful for many reasons.
However, there is a downside to using fabric softeners. Fabric softeners can leave residue on your clothes. They also leave an oily stain on your clothes, which makes them feel slippery and unpleasant to wear.
This is because they contain surfactants that have been known to cause irritation in some people’s skin.
So, never pour fabric softener directly on wet clothes. Use the smallest amount of product that is recommended.
Too Aggressive Detergent
Another reason you may have detergent stains is because your detergent is too strong or you’re using too much of it, especially if you’re using a high-efficiency washer.
Furthermore, being overly energetic and pre-washing clothes are some of the false beliefs that cause washing malfunctions.
In fact, when pre-washing particularly delicate fabrics, you may cause prints and clothing fibers to become dried out. This might lead to holes in the fabrics.
If you must remove a stubborn stain, first try a manual pre-treatment of the item with a specific detergent that is not overly aggressive. Leave for a few minutes so it has time to take effect, then wash the item in the washing machine as usual.
Too Much Detergent Buildup
In some cases, you may have detergent build-up on your clothes. Detergent build-up is usually caused by being overzealous in your washing routine.
Some of you might be tempted to add some laundry detergent to a load of clothes that are extremely dirty. Don’t listen to that voice!
Adding more detergent to your laundry machine causes more harm than good. As a result, soapy residue on your clothes can remain on your clothes and cause unnecessary wear on the washing machine.
It is recommended that you use only liquid detergent, because it is pre-dissolved. A pre-portioned pod is convenient, but you have less control over how much you use.
When this happens, it can quickly become a buildup of chemicals and cleaning agents that stiffen your laundry.
Powder detergent, such as bleach powder laundry detergent, is also not recommended, because it does not always dissolve and causes clumps in your laundry. These clumps will leave even more detergent stains on your already fragile fabric.
Dirty or Inefficient Washer
Some people make the mistake of washing their clothes in a machine that is not effective. The washing machine may not be able to clean all the detergent residue, which will then cause a stain on your clothes.
If you have never cleaned your washer, then it is possible that there is dirt, minerals, and detergent residue on the clothes that you wash. Think of it like soap scum that you put in your shower.
Furthermore, undissolved detergent, lint, and soil can all get on your clothes if the water in your washer drains too slowly.
Open the drain line, and check it for any clogs, such as lint or small items, that could potentially impede the flow of rinse water. It will shock you how getting rid of a stay button, lint, or coin can help you fix the draining action of a washer.
If the washer is still slow to drain, and the filter has already been cleaned, it means that the water pump is probably failing. You may search for your washing machine manual online or you may call a technician.
Too Many Loads of Laundry
Overloading your washing machine can cause it to become less effective. Putting overly heavy loads into a washer will result in not having enough room for the soil and residue to be flushed away.
So, try loosening up your wash load to a more average size load. Divide up your entire load of laundry for the day into more manageable pieces for your washer.
A washing machine can only wash so much, and if it cannot clean them all, the clothes will become discolored and stained.
How Do I Get Rid of the Stains?
When you have taken note of all of the problems, only one step it left. That is, the only way to get rid of the remaining debris is to rewash the clothes.
First off, it is recommended that you do not allow a discolored or stained garment to dry in the sun. This way, you’ll avoid allowing the heat to lock in the color that is absorbed.
When you wash the items that are stained, you should wash them again in the hottest water that is suitable for the fabric. However, you must not add any detergent or fabric softener.
Instead, add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to the wash cycle. This will relax the fibers a little and enable the residue to be released.
You can also fill a sink or bucket with warm water, then add oxygen-based bleach. Make sure to do so as directed on the package. Submerge the staining items completely in water. Leave them to soak overnight and then wash as recommended, without adding any additional detergent.
If the item of clothing that has absorbed the color is a garment of a different color, you can try using a bleach product. Make sure to use one that is intended for delicate and colored fabrics.
Want to know more about how to effectively do your laundry? Visit us over at HandyWork!