A guide to the perfect laundry
There’s no better feeling than putting on clean clothes or getting into a freshly made bed! Love it or hate it, laundry is something we all have to do, so here's all the tips and tricks you need for the perfect wash every time.
Sort your washing
Storing your dirty laundry in one place helps create a tidy home and helps make the washing easier when it comes to laundry day. From traditional wash baskets to ottomans, we have a great range of storage that can be used for washing.
Top tip: have a basket for colours and a basket for whites so you have them ready to go.
Make sure you wash colours & whites separately, as colours could bleed into your crisp white shirts or make them turn a dull shade of grey over time.
Also, separate any delicate items like knitted clothing or anything made from finer fabrics, ready to put on a delicate cycle in your machine or hand wash.
Which cycle should I use?
Most washing machines have straightforward names for the different cycles to help you make the right decision: colours, whites, delicates etc.
The things that change between laundry cycles are the temperature of the water, length of cycle, and spin speed.
A quick guide to washing machine temperatures
- 20°: a cold wash, good for new jeans or very delicate items
- 30°: a great general-purpose temperature for day-to-day laundry and lightly soiled items. Most detergents these days work very effectively at 30°, so you can do your bit for the planet by using this temperature whenever possible
- 60°: use this temperature for your bedding and towels to kill off any pesky bacteria
- 90°: a hot wash for heavily soiled items. Can also be used on an empty drum to clean the washing machine
Does spin speed matter?
Higher spin speeds will remove more water from your laundry, saving you on drying time. Lower speeds should be used for delicate items, or anything that’s prone to stretching out of shape.
Check your labels
If you’re ever unsure about what cycle to use, you can check the washing label on your clothes. We’ve got a handy guide to laundry symbols and washing labels to help you make sense of your laundry!
What are the 3 compartments in the washing machine drawer?
In most machines, the drawer tray will have 3 separate sections which can be a bit of a mystery when you first open it up. Well, not anymore!
- Pre-wash compartment: this is usually labelled with 1 or I, and is the smaller of the 2 detergent compartments. Pop some detergent in here if your chosen cycle has a pre-wash setting, which runs before the main wash and is used to lift stubborn stains from particularly dirty items
- Main detergent compartment: usually labelled with 2 or II, this is where you pop your liquid or powder detergent for the main wash cycle. This is the largest section in the drawer and the one you’ll use for pretty much every cycle
- Fabric softener: this is labelled with a flower symbol, and usually has a separate plastic piece inside which sets it apart. This is where you put your fabric softener for fresh-smelling clothing
Top tip: don’t have any fabric softener? Use white vinegar instead! It softens your laundry and helps to keep your machine clean at the same time.
The wash
The laundry is in, you’ve found the right cycle, now it’s time to get washing!
If you’re using a powder or liquid detergent, pop the recommended amount in the section of the drawer marked 2 or II.
For washing tabs or pods, you can put these directly into the drum before you pop your washing in. Place it towards the back to avoid it getting stuck at the front!
If you’re using fabric softener, pop some in the appropriate section. Now all that’s left to do is switch it on and wait for it to be done!
What’s the difference between bio and non-bio?
Biological detergents contain enzymes that are more effective at breaking down stains than non-bios. Biological detergents work at lower temperatures than non-bio detergents. People who tend to wash at lower temperatures or use a quick wash cycle on their washing machine should use bio detergents. Did you know our biological products even work at 20 degrees?
Non-bio is better for people who have sensitive skin as there are no enzymes. Therefore, when using non-bio you’ll need to wash at a higher temperature if you have tough stains to allow the detergent to do its job properly.
Drying your washing
Now that the wash is done, it’s time to dry your laundry. There are plenty of ways you can do this, with or without a tumble dryer. Unluckily, during the winter months, we can’t always pop our washing outside to dry, but there’s nothing to say we can’t use a clothes horse inside and prop it near a radiator. Here are the essentials you need:
Benefits of drying outside:
- If you're trying to reduce your energy costs, drying your clothes outside rather than in the dryer is a great way to do so
- Sunlight is a natural sanitiser, and line drying keeps your clothes in better condition than drying them in a machine
- Clothes dried outside smell fresh and wonderful!
Putting it all away
Now it’s time to store our clean laundry. From folding seasonal clothes away to creating more wardrobe space, we’ve got some ideas to free-up some extra space.
If there are clothes that you’re not wearing because they’re out of season, why not box them up or vacuum pack them and pop them under your bed? Ottomans make great stylish storage options too.
If you’re running out of room in your wardrobe, get yourself a secondary clothing rail. It sits inside your wardrobe, giving you a whole extra rail to hang your clothes. Clothing organisers are great ways to organise outfits - helping you get ready much quicker in the morning!
Some extras you need to help you organise your clothes:
- Clothes rail
- Storage boxes/ottomans
- Hangers
- Hooks
- Outfit organiser
Top tip – it sounds like an obvious one but fold your clothes before putting them away to avoid creasing.
Our top laundry tips
- Iron your shirts and other clothing when they’re fresh out of the washing machine for a perfectly ironed finish
- Turn jeans, printed t-shirts, or anything with bold colours inside out before washing
- Run your machine on a 90° cycle with some vinegar to clean your machine from time to time
- Leave the door and detergent drawer open after the cycle finishes to avoid musty smells from building up
For all your laundry needs, check out the full range on wilko.com
Any laundry tips you'd like to share? We love to learn! Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & X.
