Each of us, at some point, has made the typical mistake of accidentally washing perfectly white clothes with a dark thing. When this kind of thing happens, we immediately know the reason for the problem: a black sock hidden inside a sheet or a red scarf mixed in with the clothes tells us that sorting out clothes and other things must be done with great care.

However, a more serious issue that not many realize is the issue of colors slowly fading over time. Who is to blame in this case? We seem to do everything correctly, but it just doesn’t work out perfectly. If you own a small business and run a laundromat, you need to learn colorfastness—learning how to minimize color fading can be an added reason to keep your customers loyal! The washing does not have to be complicated; by the end of reading this article, you could be “a professional in washing white and colored clothes.”

What laundry are detergents suitable to choose?

For small laundry owners having a good product for a particular wash can be daunting as you are faced with a wide range of different products, but choosing the suitable detergent can be easy! Tips when choosing the type of detergent:

• Powder detergent. Only powders may contain bleach in their formula (vs. liquids), which means they may work better at making whites genuinely white. But remember, some powders are still lye-free, so always check!
• You should also consider how much detergent you should be using. Since detergents can be dosed flexibly, make sure you follow the instructions and adapt accordingly depending on the intensity of the stains. Remember that not all powders are created equal, so one tablespoon of one good laundry detergent can equal three tablespoons of the other.
• Liquid detergent. Liquid detergent does not contain bleach, so it can be used more safely to wash colored fabrics. One of the ways to boost the use of liquid detergent is to use it during the prewash or apply the liquid detergent directly to the stain and let it soak for an hour or more to help remove the most stubborn stains. Don’t forget to check the colorfastness by testing it on a hidden part of the garment before starting stain removal. Try Ariel’s Liquid Laundry Detergent during the prewash or directly in your color wash for the toughest stains.
• Fabric softener will help keep your clothes smelling fresh and soft. It’s a perfect way to minimize ironing and a fantastic way not only to get your laundry done but also to keep your closets, and even your entire laundry room smells wonderful! There are several fabric softeners, but we recommend using Lenor, which comes in several different long-lasting fragrances, which your customers are sure to like.

Now that you know the strengths of powder versus liquid and how fabric softener can help you meet your laundry needs, you should never forget that, after all, not all powders and liquids are created equal. Some detergents contain technologies that help you do the best wash, like the polymers, enzymes, adjuvants, and bleach found inside Ariel powder. Try and learn more about the ingredients of your laundry detergent!

washing symbols

Textile care is possible only if you treat the products correctly. Over time and with experience, you will know how to treat each garment. It doesn’t matter if you regularly wash bedding, tablecloths, or personal clothing. If in doubt, you should always read the label. Some fabrics will begin to fade at 30 degrees, others only at 60. By reading the information on the brands, you will be able to select the clothes that can be washed together and those that cannot.

Always wash your white garments together in the same washing process. The best way to wash whites is at the highest temperature the garment will allow and using a bleach-containing product such as Ariel Powder Complete. If you decide to use the dryer to dry your clothes, make sure you dry them at the correct temperature. This may be different than the temperature you wash things at, so always read the labels!

A great way to save time is to separate things into similar types quickly. Try washing bedding and towels together and doing the same for fragile items.

A great way to make sure your clothes are fresh and soft is to use a fabric softener like Lenor Antibac 4L. In addition, this will save you and your staff time when it comes to ironing because the clothes will wrinkle less when using the fabric softener.

Remember to check the label!

wash colored clothes

Colored garments need special care as they can fade and lose color faster than light or dark clothing. Correct color washing and maintenance of these garments will help colored clothing have a longer life. Separate your clothes into one load of bright greens, blues, and yellows and another of purples, reds, and oranges. With bright colors, make sure you put the wash in cold water. Using cold water in the washing process will not contribute to the color’s fading, and by using a non-bleach detergent (such as liquid detergent), you will be able to keep the colors vibrant for longer!

more resistant stains

If you have clothes with solid and visible stains, it is recommended to treat them directly and separately before washing them in the washing machine. If you use the washing machine:

• Select the correct temperature and the appropriate washing program.
• In general, use hot water for white and heavily soiled things, cold water for darker colors, and lukewarm water for stains that may fade.
• Do not overload the washing machine.

If you wash by hand:

• Wait for the powder to completely dissolve in the water before putting the clothes in the wash solution.
• To make clothes less wrinkled, hang them to dry immediately after washing.

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