Laundry seems to be one of the simplest household chores. We pop our clothes into the drum, add detergent, select a programme and press the button. A few dozen minutes later, we take out clean, soft and fragrant laundry. In practice, however, it is quite a complex process, involving the interplay of water, temperature, time, the movement of the drum and carefully selected chemicals.
Infrastructure designed for high volumes
You can find hundreds of tips on laundry online. Some recommend adding vinegar, others bicarbonate of soda, citric acid, salt, essential oils, and even products intended for completely different uses. Some of these methods have a certain chemical basis. The problem arises when an additive is treated as a full-fledged substitute for detergent, or when several random substances are mixed together without understanding the reactions taking place between them.
What actually washes clothes?
The primary function of a detergent is to separate dirt from the fibres, disperse it in water and prevent it from re-depositing on the fabric. Surfactants play the most important role in this process. Their molecules have a ‘water-loving’ part and a part that is attracted to fats. This enables them to surround greasy dirt and help transfer it from the surface of the clothes into the water.
Other ingredients in washing gels, powders and capsules bind the calcium and magnesium ions present in hard water, which could otherwise reduce the effectiveness of the detergent. Still others help to keep loosened dirt in suspension so that it does not settle back onto the fabric.
Many laundry products also contain enzymes. These can be compared to tiny, highly precise scissors that cut specific types of dirt into smaller, more easily removable fragments. Proteases help remove protein-based stains, such as blood, milk, eggs or sweat. Amylases help break down starch found in sauces and flour-based products, amongst other things, whilst lipases help remove fats and oils. Thanks to enzymes, well-designed laundry detergents can work effectively even at lower temperatures.
However, a detergent does not work on its own. The movement of the drum shifts, scrubs and rubs the wet fabrics, whilst the water carries away the loosened dirt. Temperature speeds up some processes, but raising it is not always beneficial. Too high a temperature can set certain stains, cause fabrics to shrink, wash out colours and damage elastic fibres.
The effectiveness of a wash is therefore not determined by a single ‘miracle’ ingredient. It is the result of the combined action of the detergent, the washing machine programme, the temperature, the amount of water, the degree of soiling and the type of fabric.
More detergent does not mean cleaner laundry
One of the most common mistakes is measuring out detergent ‘by eye’, usually using far too much. It seems logical that if one capful washes well, then two should wash even better. In reality, too much detergent can cause excessive foaming.
In some washing machines, excessive foaming can trigger an extra rinse cycle, extend the programme, and in extreme cases cause foam to overflow from the detergent drawer. Excess foam also forms a cushioning layer between the fabrics, which reduces friction between them and restricts their free movement in the drum. As a result, the wash may be less effective and the detergent harder to rinse out. Residue may then remain on the clothes and inside the machine.
The detergent dose should be adjusted according to:
- the load size,
- the degree of soiling of the fabrics,
- water hardness,
- the concentration of the product in question,
- the recommendations of the detergent and washing machine manufacturers.
In soft water, less detergent is usually required. In hard water, some of its ingredients are used to bind calcium and magnesium ions, so the recommended dose may be higher. However, this does not mean that you should always fill the cap to the brim. Modern products can be highly concentrated, and their recommended doses can vary significantly between different brands and types of formulation.
Using too little detergent is not a good idea either. Dirt may not be properly removed and may remain in the water, and over time, your clothes may start to look grey, lose their freshness or develop an unpleasant odour. The best amount is neither the largest nor the smallest, but the right amount for that particular wash.
Rinsing – a stage we rarely think about
Once the actual wash cycle is complete, water, dissolved detergent and loosened dirt remain in the fabrics. The purpose of rinsing is to remove these as thoroughly as possible.
Overloading the drum can impair not only the effectiveness of the wash cycle, but also the rinse cycle. Clothes packed too tightly do not move freely, and water struggles to reach all layers of the fabric. As a result, some detergent and dirt may remain trapped in the fibres.
If, after drying, light streaks appear on dark clothes, or the fabrics feel stiff or noticeably ‘soapy’ to the touch, this may be caused by an excess of detergent, an overly full load, or the detergent not dissolving properly.
Adding more fabric softener will not solve this problem. First and foremost, you should reduce the amount of detergent, avoid overloading the washing machine and, if necessary, use an extra rinse cycle. It is also worth checking whether the selected programme is suitable for the type and size of the load.
What does fabric conditioner do?
The colloquial name for this product can be somewhat misleading. Fabric conditioner is not primarily used to rinse out detergent, nor does it wash clothes. It is a fabric conditioner added during the final rinse cycle.
Its ingredients settle in small quantities on the surface of the fibres, reducing friction between them. As a result, the fabric becomes smoother and more pleasant to the touch, is less prone to static, and is often easier to iron. Fabric conditioner may also leave a scent on the fabric.
For this reason, it should be dispensed into the designated compartment, from which it will only be released during the final cycle – the rinse. It should not be poured in directly alongside the detergent. The ingredients in both products may interfere with each other’s effectiveness and, under certain conditions, form hard-to-dissolve deposits that remain on the fabrics or inside the washing machine.
However, this does not mean that fabric softener should be used on every type of fabric. The film left on the fibres can reduce the absorbency of towels and microfibre cloths. It can also impair the moisture-wicking properties of sportswear and affect the performance of certain technical fabrics.
The liquid should also not be used on flame-retardant fabrics if the clothing manufacturer advises against it. In such cases, the residue left on the fibres may alter the fabric’s performance characteristics.
For everyday cotton clothing, bed linen or ordinary T-shirts, the liquid used in the correct dosage can be a useful addition. In the case of towels, microfibre items, reusable nappies, sportswear and technical clothing, it is better to use it less frequently or avoid it altogether.
Laundry fragrances – scent, not laundry
Fragrances, crystals, granules and scented laundry liquids are becoming increasingly popular. Their primary purpose is to impart an intense and long-lasting scent to fabrics. However, they should not be confused with either detergent or fabric conditioner.
Detergent removes dirt. Fabric conditioner softens the fibres. Fabric fragrances, on the other hand, primarily leave a scent on the fabric. They will not, on their own, remove grease stains, sweat, mud or food residues.
Products in the form of granules or crystals are usually designed to be placed directly into the empty drum before adding the clothes. Liquid products may be used in a different way, for example by adding them to the appropriate compartment in the washing machine. You should always check the instructions for the specific product, as the term ‘laundry fragrance’ covers various types of products and formulations.
A strong scent is not a sign of cleanliness. Clothes may smell very strong whilst still containing traces of grease, sweat or too much detergent. Fragrances can mask an unpleasant odour, but they do not always remove the cause.
If freshly washed items start to smell musty after a short time, it is worth checking the cleanliness of the filter, drawer, seal and drum, as well as your drying method and the amount of detergent used. Wet clothes should not be left in a closed washing machine for long. Adding more fabric freshener may simply mask the problem.
In the second part of this series, we’ll look at popular home remedies for laundry. We’ll explain whether bicarbonate of soda can replace washing powder, what actually happens when bicarbonate of soda is mixed with vinegar, and whether citric acid is an equivalent to fabric conditioner.
