MYTH #1: Sparkling water removes stains better than tap water
Fact: When put to the test by GH, they worked equally well. The most important thing is to treat stains (on washable fabrics) as quickly as possible with a cloth dipped either in cool or sparkling water.
MYTH #2: Soaking fabrics in salt water sets dye and keeps colours from bleeding
Fact: A fabric’s dye should be set when it’s manufactured. Sometimes excess dye comes off in the first few washes (like with denim jeans), but if a fabric continues to bleed after repeated washes, something’s wrong and there’s nothing, unfortunately, you can do to stop it.
Solution: Either wash the garment separately or return it to the store.
MYTH #3: Adding more detergent gets clothes cleaner
Fact: When it comes to laundry detergent, more is not better. Too many suds can cause dirt to redeposit onto fabrics and leave a residue on fabrics and in the machine.
Prevention: Always measure detergent according to the label directions and only use more if your garments are heavily soiled or if your water is hard.
MYTH #5: Adding bleach to your washer at the same time as detergent helps get clothes cleaner
Fact: Actually, the best time to add bleach is five minutes into the wash cycle. Adding it at the start of the wash destroys enzymes in the detergent before they can get to work.
Solution: Some modern washers have timed bleach dispensers. For an older machine, set a timer and add the bleach manually.
MYTH #6: Tumble-drying shrinks clothing
Fact: It’s not heat that causes fabrics to shrink, but a lack of moisture. Most of today’s dryers have sensors that stop the cycle when the appropriate moisture level is sensed. Over-drying clothes is what contributes to shrinkage.
Prevention: Select the ‘automatic’, not the ‘timed’ cycle on the dryer and let it shut off on its own.
This article was originally written for goodhousekeeping.com.
