Laundry: labels, sorting and stains

Nobody wants to shrink a favourite jumper or turn a white shirt pink. Once you can read a care label and sort a load, laundry becomes a quick, almost automatic job.

Read the care label: five symbols

• Care labels use five basic symbols set by GINETEX, the international textile care labelling association: a washing tub, a triangle (bleaching), a square (drying), an iron, and a circle (professional cleaning).
• A cross through any symbol means 'do not': do not wash, do not bleach, do not tumble dry, do not iron, or do not dry-clean.
• The number in the tub is the maximum water temperature in Celsius: 30, 40, 60, 70 or 95.
• One bar under the tub means a milder cycle with less spinning and movement; two bars mean a very mild cycle. A hand in the tub means hand wash only, at no more than 40C.
• An empty triangle means any bleach is allowed; a triangle with two diagonal lines means oxygen (non-chlorine) bleach only; a crossed-out triangle means no bleach at all.

Drying and ironing symbols

• A square with a circle inside means tumble drying is allowed. One dot means low heat; two dots mean normal heat.
• A square with lines inside means natural drying, such as line drying, drip drying or drying flat. A diagonal line in the corner means dry in the shade.
• Take the shade symbol seriously in the GCC: strong sun can fade some dark and bright fabrics.
• The dots on the iron symbol set the maximum soleplate temperature: one dot (low) up to 120C, two dots (moderate) up to 160C, three dots (hot) up to 210C.

Sorting a load

• Sort by colour: whites together, pastels and medium colours together, darks and brights together. Light synthetics can pick up dye from dark items.
• Sort by how dirty things are: heavily soiled sports kit should not share water with lightly worn shirts.
• Sort by fabric: delicates and loose knits go on a gentle cycle, ideally in a mesh bag.
• Wash new dark or brightly coloured items separately for their first few washes, because they may bleed dye.
• Before loading, empty every pocket (tissues, pens, coins, earphones) and close zips.

Running the machine

• Do not overload: clothes need room to move. A rough test is that you can fit your hand in above the clothes.
• Measure detergent using the cap or scoop and the dose on the pack. Too much detergent does not clean better and can leave residue.
• Never use washing-up liquid in a washing machine.
• Not everything needs hot water. Cooler washes are fine for everyday loads; use the warmest temperature the label allows for heavily soiled items or tough stains.
• Take clothes out promptly when the cycle ends, and fold or hang them once fully dry to avoid creases and musty smells.

Stain basics

• Act fast: the sooner you treat a stain, the more likely it is to come out.
• Blot, do not rub. Rubbing spreads the stain and can damage fibres.
• If you do not know what the stain is, rinse or soak it in cold water first.
• Protein stains such as blood, egg and dairy respond well to enzyme (biological) pre-soaks. Grease and oil need a pre-treatment with liquid detergent, then the warmest wash the fabric allows.
• Test any stain remover on a hidden part of the garment first, such as an inside seam.
• Check the stain is gone before tumble drying. Heat can set a stain permanently.

Dryer and machine care

• Empty the tumble dryer lint filter regularly, as the manufacturer's instructions say (many say after every load). London Fire Brigade lists this as part of keeping appliances fire-safe.
• Leave the washing machine door open a little after use so it can dry out and does not smell.
• Register new appliances with the manufacturer so you hear about safety recalls.