‘It’s All in the Detergent’ and 5 Other Laundry Myths

Most of us just bundle our clothes into the washer, fill the detergent drawer and press the ‘on’ button without much thought, but there’s a lot of things we could be doing better when it comes to doing our laundry.

Our resident LG laundry expert, Steve Abbey, helps demystify the sometimes tricky task of getting a great wash result for your clothes and unveils his top tips for great laundry results every time.

Six Laundry Myths:

1. The more expensive the detergent, the better the clean
2. Fabric softener is the only way to keep clothes soft
3. I have sensitive skin so I need a sensitive detergent
4. Washing at 60 degrees will prevent the effects of a dust allergy
5. I should always wash at 30 degrees as it’s better for the environment
6. My washing machine washes all the time, why would I need to clean it?

1. MYTH: The more expensive the detergent, the better the clean.

REALITY: Abbey said: “This is not necessarily true and most detergents available in supermarkets today are capable of washing the majority of your laundry items. While a higher priced product might have superior performance when it comes to the chemical reaction of the soap dissolving, which is important because the washer is less likely to leave unwanted remnants of the detergent on your clothes potentially causing skin irritation, the motion of the water in the machine and how it disperses the detergent through the clothes is an important factor.

“There is a very good reason LG machines move the clothing items around the tub as they are washed. It provides much needed friction, rubbing the clothes together to help break down the dirt particles embedded in the fabric and it also ensures each garment is exposed to the water at every possible angle.”

Brad Reed, Category Marketing Manager for LG Home Appliances said: “That’s why several LG machines feature Six Motion wash technology – the motions mimic the gentle and varied action of handwashing. This technology is designed to tackle dirt effectively, but be as gentle as possible on fabrics, reducing the production of lint and helping to maintain your delicate items.

• Filtration: Force from the fast rotation motion distributes water and detergent evenly to penetrate fabric and help reduce unwanted detergent remnants.
• Scrubbing: Provides a washboard-type friction effect. The drum quickly alternates to create a scrubbing motion. This helps to dissolve detergents and helps remove stubborn stains.
• Rolling: Enables a gentler cleanse as clothes are rolled gently under water for a delicate wash.
• Tumbling: Employs centrifugal force for a uniform wash.
• Stepping: Releases clothes at the peak of the rotation cycle, minimising the clothing tangle.
• Swing: The drum gently swings clothes from one direction to the other, which is ideal for those delicate items.”

2. MYTH: Fabric softener is the only way to keep clothes soft

REALITY:“Fabric softeners are great for adding a fresh scent and soft finish to your laundry. However, fabric softener or not, maintaining the perfect amount of moisture in your towels and clothes is just as important when it comes to keeping your clothes soft – especially when using a clothes dryer,” said Abbey.

“If you use a dryer, you should try to check on the progress of the items at regular intervals because fabrics tend to dry at different rates. Items may feel slightly damp while still in the machine but may be dry enough to put away once they are removed from the humid environment inside the drum. Taking the items out before they are too dry will prevent the harder, course texture so common in towels and sheets that have been over-dried.

“If you’re using a clothes horse or a line to dry your clothes, it is still a good idea to check the progress of the items at regular intervals. This is especially important if you are drying your clothes outdoors as exposure to the Australian sun will result in items drying much faster than they typically do indoors.

“It is also imperative that you use a quality dryer that is suitable for the types of fabric you are drying. LG offers a variety of options that are gentle and help to care better for your clothes,” Abbey added.

All dryers from the LG range include the following key features:

• Sensor Dry: Moisture sensors on the LG dryer detect the level of moisture and adjust the drying time for an optimal result. This helps to stop clothes becoming over-dried and ensures optimal care for each load.
• Time Delay function: Lets you dry at a time that’s convenient without the issue of it being left to sit in the drum until you return home. The function actually lets you control when a load is going to finish drying so there’s no need to stick around waiting for the load to finish.
• Easy to install: No need to install a vent or pipes. Simply plug the unit in, manage your settings, and you’re ready to go

3. MYTH: I have sensitive skin so I need a sensitive detergent

REALITY: Abbey said “The wash setting that you select has an effect, as does the type of detergent you use. If the temperature of the cycle is not high enough, certain elements of the detergent will not dissolve and remnants of the soap can remain on the items washed. This can be a big cause of irritation for those with sensitive skin.

“To ensure that the detergent is dissolved properly, washes should be done at 35 degrees or higher and with a steam function if it’s an option. Several washing machines from the LG range have the unique TrueSteam technology which is activated during the cycle. Once it begins, the steam generator heats the air inside the drum by continually blowing steam into the drum while laundry items are inside – helping to maintain a constant water temperature”.

“The addition of steam into the tub assists the wash to dissolve detergents and remove more dirt residue on clothing items.”

4. MYTH: Washing at 60 degrees will prevent the effects of a dust mite allergy

REALITY: “Dust mites are a common trigger of conditions such as asthma and it is often recommended that sufferers wash at 60 degrees to remove dust mites from clothes and bedding. However, while washing at a higher temperature might increase chances of killing them, the cycle needs to be at 60 degrees or higher for at least 10 minutes before you can be sure you are completely rid of the bugs,” Abbey said.

Brad Reed said: “This is a big part of the reason why many LG washing machines have the TrueSteam technology, which helps maintains 60 degree or higher temperatures for 10 minutes or more during the wash cycle. The prolonged high temperatures reached during the cycle help to kill dust mites rather than just temporarily stunning them, which ultimately helps to reduce allergens in the fabric.

“The LG Direct Drive washing machines with TrueSteam have been tested with British Allergy Foundation standards and have been proven to help reduce the presence of house dust mites from laundry.”

5. MYTH: I should always wash at 30 degrees for the environment

REALITY: Abbey said: “Colder washes might use less energy,* but it’s really about knowing what clothes should be washed at 30 degrees, and which should be washed at a higher temperature.

“White items are the least suited to cooler washes. This is because water below 40 degrees is unable to fully break down sweat particles embedded in fabric, also known as ‘protein stains’. Over time, washing your whites at 30 degrees may result in greyed fabric and deterioration of the clothing.

“Ultimately, a less effective wash may actually mean that you’re having to wash items more frequently, which has the opposite effect on the environment and your energy consumption.

“If you want to wash at 30 degrees, then coloured or darker items are most suited to washing at this temperature, as you’ll be less likely to see any discolouration caused by sweat. However, it is still best to wash them at 40 degrees every once in a while to ensure that they are as clean as possible.

6. MYTH: My washing machine is filled with soapy water all the time, why would I need to clean it?

REALITY: “Despite the fact you use your washing machine frequently, it’s still a good idea to wash your drum regularly – especially if you wash your clothes with cool water. This is because remnants of detergent can remain in the drum once the cycle has completed. These remnants are also likely to be a bigger problem if you use fabric softener on a regular basis,” Abbey commented.

“Several LG washing machines have a ‘Tub Clean’ cycle option, which if used regularly ensures the inner and outer tubs are kept as clean as possible.The tub fills to a higher water level than it would on a standard wash setting and reaches higher spin speeds, creating conditions that help to break down remnants of detergent that might remain in the drum,” Reed finished.

For more information and the full LG washing machine product range, please visit http://www.lg.com/au/washing-machines.