Laundry

Fabric Softener

  • Fabric softener and dryer sheets basically add a coating of some material to the fabric

  • That’s what makes it feel “soft”

  • This has the downside of ruining some clothing

    • DriFit

    • Some materials (merino wool, for example, says don’t use fabric softener)

  • Basically, so long as you’re doing big general loads, don’t do it

  • If you get to the point where you’re doing specialized loads, you could look into this again

    • But right now it’s not really worth the trouble

Socks

  • Wash inside out if it’s sweaty and nasty in there

    • Washing inside out helps wash the dirtiest, sweatiest parts better

    • But, I’ve seen it possibly tear some threads loose

    • And, sometimes the outside is the dirtiest (dirt from the floor, etc.)

    • So only do it if you really feel like the inside needs cleaning

  • Hang dry if possible for soft socks you want to preserve

    • Helps preserve material

    • Friction and heat of the dryer break down the cotton/material

  • For socks that aren’t a big deal (athletic socks), just tumble dry low

  • Cold water

  • Gentle/delicate loads

    • Prevents rubbing against other clothes

  • No fabric softener

    • Reduces the sock's moisture wicking

  • Use mild soap/detergent

  • Don't fold

    • Helps them lose shape

  • Buy high quality socks

Jeans

  • Wash infrequently — washing breaks down the material and fades the dye

  • When you do wash, use delicate detergent

  • If you need to use detergent, use bleach-free for dark colors (like Woolite Dark)

  • Best option is to hand wash them

    • Soak in cold water and vinegar

    • If necessary, hand wash cycle with vinegar

    • Or, instead of vinegar, delicate detergent mentioned above

  • No how water or heated dry

  • Tumbling in dryer leads to wear and tear

  • Otherwise, do it inside-out with like colors

    • Q: Should it be washed with other things?

  • Q: Tumble dry low or hang dry? (probably hang dry)

  • Can use Mr. Black’s spray to “freshen” them up without washing them completely

  • Wearing a lot without washing them starts to stretch out the fabric

    • When you wash them next, they’ll probably be a bit more snug (waist, calves) for a few wears

  • To help prevent fading, stay out of sunlight …😂

Athletic clothes / dry fit

  • Don't use fabric softener (kills the moisture wicking surface)

Default routine

If no tag and not sure what to do:

  • Wash on cold

  • If socks, nicer material, delicate or in anyway, underwear, or especially dirty, jeans, wash inside-out

  • Try not to overload washing machine (if overloaded, clothes tend to get more wrinkly)

  • Drying

    • Air dry if nicer material, socks, delicate in anyway

    • Otherwise, put in drier on lowest heat setting

    • Some nicer materials like superfine merino recommend laying flat to dry

      • Never had a problem with them not being flat FWIW

  • Don't iron logos that are e.g. plastic

  • Iron on lower heat settings when in doubt. But follow material settings / guidelines

Notes

  • Underwear and socks need to be washed every time

    • But socks can go another round if you really didn’t sweat or anything — per-case basis

    • Underwear just go through a lot during the day — sweat and dead skin

    • Underwear also get stretched out throughout the day

    • Q: With new, nicer Mack Weldon underwear material, could we go two wears, or no?

  • Merino wool

    • Wash after the first 2-3 wears

    • Q: How often to wash after that?

    • Don’t tumble dry

  • In general, don’t tumble dry things you really want to preserve

    • Clothing breaks down from heat and friction in the dryer (that’s where lint comes from)

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