Fabrics tend to tighten up after weeks of washing. Warm water can cause threads to contract and leave the material slightly misshapen. Thankfully, with a little fabric softener, you can easily improve texture and restore the appearance of your clothing. Here’s some advice to ensure the proper level of laundry care.

Do:

Use occasionally for towels.

Fabric softener leaves a thin residue on the fibers. While this makes them feel smooth, it can also prevent the material from absorbing liquid.

Limit the amount of softener you use when washing towels. It’s a simple laundry care technique that will allow them to retain their absorbency while producing a plush appearance.

Add it during the rinse cycle.

Some washing machines don’t have a dispenser for fabric softener. Rather than dumping it in with the detergent, wait until the rinse cycle to pour it onto the load. This gives the chemicals a chance to stick and prevents the suds from breaking down the residue.

Don’t:

Apply softener to baby items.

Babies have sensitive skin. Since fabric softener uses harsh chemicals to boost the texture of various fabrics, applying it to their clothing could cause varying levels of irritation. An alternate laundry care technique is to wash their loads with baby-safe detergent and a small amount of vinegar, which will ensure a quality clean.

Pour it directly on the fabric.

Fabric softeners work best when diluted in water. Direct contact could cause unsightly stains and leave the material looking worse for wear.

If there’s no dispenser, wait until the tub begins to fill with water at the start of the rinse cycle. Once it’s mostly full, add the softener. Avoid over-loading so that the liquid has plenty of room to circulate.

If you’re looking for a laundromat in Lithonia, GA, stop by Evans Mill Laundry. The locally owned and operated laundry facility offers 22 efficient washers, folding tables, and arcade games for the kids. Please don’t bring quarters. You can pay with convenient dollar coins, or your credit or debit card.  As you’re waiting for your clothes to wash and dry, you can enjoy the facility’s free Wi-Fi and television. For more information about their services, call (770) 484-9974, or visit their website.