12 March 2023 , 15:08
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A cleaning guru from household cleaning products company smol have now revealed that one in five Brits will wash clothes on a weekly basis - even if they aren't dirty.
There are however a number of cheap, easy ways to keep your clothes feeling and smelling fresh without automatically chucking them straight into the washing machine.
Many of us will be looking to keep an eye on our energy bills amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, and popping on multiple washing machine cycles a week could well get pricey fast.
With this in mind, Kathleen Bell, who works as a sustainable cleaning expert for smol, recently spoke with the Daily Express about how to get "wear out of clothes without compromising on cleanliness", and has offered her five top tips.
A simple homemade spray could be enough to freshen up worn clothes (Getty Images/EyeEm)Whip up a homemade spray
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According to Kathleen hardier fabrics such as denim, jumpers, or sweaters, can "be refreshed" using a simple homemade spray if they're on the cusp of getting a bit smelly.
All you have to do is mix water with some essential oils, adding these to a suitable spray bottle. Essential oils such as lemon, peppermint, tea tree oil, lemongrass, eucalyptus, and lavender are said to be particularly popular choices. Then, you just need to "mist over the fabric", before allowing it to air out nicely.
Avoid multiple half-full loads
Kathleen warns that putting on multiple half-load washes can waste water and detergent, and may well also impact your energy bills. She went on to advise using your hand to check whether or not your machine is at capacity.
She explained: "You should be able to fit a palm's width between the top of your laundry and the inside of the drum. More space than the width of your palm then you know you're not fully loaded, any less and the washing won't have room to clean."
You can use your hand to figure out whether or not your machine is at capacity (Getty Images)Try a bit of steam
While you're doing the ironing, you could also use the steam to refresh clothes you've already worn. You can also try this energy-efficient hack by simply placing your items in the bathroom while you're enjoying a hot shower or bath.
Spot clean smaller stains
There's often no need to throw your top straight in the wash if you've had a small spillage according to Kathleen, who advises instead to just spot clean the item and leave it to dry, acting as quickly as possible.
All you'll need to do is scrape away any excess solids and loosen up the stain by applying cold water, avoiding hot water as this will only set the stain, making it harder to budge.
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Familiarising yourself with your washing machine could save you hundreds in the long term (Getty Images/Westend61)Read your washing machine manual
According to Kathleen, a good read of the manual "could save the average family almost £701 a year", given that many people are unfamiliar with their machine's loading instructions and may well be using incorrect programmes or temperatures.
Kathleen said: "Washing at the right temperature not only helps for energy-saving but can also help keep your clothes looking better for longer, too.
"Most detergents work perfectly, and sometimes even better, at lower temperatures, because anything too hot can denature the enzymes in them that break down stains."
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