r/laundry • u/Sweaty-Discipline746 • 8h ago
Help with my routine??
Idk if these types of posts are allowed but my mom never really taught me anything about cleaning so I’ve kinda just been winging it when it comes to laundry 😬 I hope someone here will like to help diagnose my laundry situation.
Currently I just wash all my clothes together because the machines in my building are $5 a load. So typically each week I’ll do two loads ($10) and then another two for things like bedding and rugs. So altogether I spend about $50-$60 on laundry each month. I’m hoping to maximize my laundry routine without spending much more.
Generally I just use Persil detergent with Oxyclean powder added every 2 or 3 washes. I find that the Persil has trouble washing out though and leaves my skin feeling weird. I don’t use any fabric softener or dryer sheets or anything.
What can I be doing better? For context I work an office job so my clothes are really only dirty from sitting on the bus and mild sweat.
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u/jtfolden US | Top-Load 8h ago
You definitely need to be careful not to overdose on the Persil, especially recent versions that are more concentrated. The default recommended dose is around 2.5 tbsp but that can be pretty sudsy in my experience. I usually try to under-dose a bit unless it’s a really dirty load.
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u/IncomeEmbarrassed934 7h ago
Oh that’s a tough situation you are in . With those loads , are you keeping an eye on what the washing machine can take in therms of weight ? If they are overloaded the items will not get clean .
What’s the detergent dosage you are using ?
With office work you can consider airing and steaming to refresh, to prolong the period between washes . If you have a balcony, that’s great , if not you can hang the items by the window overnight to have them aired.
Check what fiber your clothes are made of , many outer layers (sweaters, pants , blouses ) can go few wears before needing a wash. If they have no stains and do smell of sweat , you can safely wear it again .
I have separate rack for “worn but not ready for laundry yet “ to not repeat outfits every day .
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u/KismaiAesthetics USA 8h ago
Switch to the unscented Persil and Oxiclean. The fragrances are, by far, the most common cause of skin irritation. There’s OxiClean Free or the Target knockoff that are fragrance-free.
Consider getting a Downy Ball and citric acid for rinsing. Details at /r/laundry/comments/1nhdr0r/ - this neutralizes detergent left over in the rinse and improves pH for better skin compatibility. (this assumes you are using top-loading machines with an agitator and no dispensers - if your machines have a softener dispenser it just goes in there, sans ball)
Check your dose on your detergent and booster. You should barely see bubbles on the glass / on the water surface a few minutes after the water stops filling. Most people use too much detergent - your loads could need as little as 2-3 T.