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The biggest laundry mistakes we're all making

Doing laundry is a daily part of life but it turns out, you might be doing it wrong.

Whether you’re looking for the best way to store a dress, remove a stain or wash that perfectly worn-in T-shirt, the following tips will have you well on your way to preserving your favourite pieces.

When it comes to work wear like blazers and jackets, the most important consideration is that the hanger is the proper size to avoid distorting your garments, according to Jeeves, a laundry service in New York and London, who shared their top cleaning hacks with the Daily Mail.

Here some tips to keep your wardrobe looking exactly like Carrie’s in Sex and the City. Photo: Getty/HBO
Here some tips to keep your wardrobe looking exactly like Carrie’s in Sex and the City. Photo: Getty/HBO

If you’re hanging a dress, it’s best to fold it in half and hang over the middle of the hanger. If your dress is silk, you need to be especially careful when folding the garment as this fabric is more prone to distortion.

Save your closet space and fold sweaters and T-shirts, If you hang these items, you’ll see the garments become misshapen around the shoulders.

The ultimate rule according to Jeeves? Never use wire hangers. These will distort the shape of your clothes and does not leave appropriate room for each garment to breathe when hanging.

Here some tips to keep your wardrobe looking exactly like Carrie's in Sex and the City. Photo: HBO
Be careful not to use wire hangers as they will distort the shape of your clothes.

One common mistake is to pop your clothes in the wash after each wear.

If you’re washing darks, make sure to turn them inside out and wash in cold water, this keeps the colour from fading.

Invest in good quality detergents to lessen the number of times you have to wash your clothes. A high quality detergent will have a higher cleaning power — and if you use powder detergent, toss it now and invest in a liquid or gel capsule.

The powder can often cause abrasions in your garments before it fully dissolves in the wash.

This is how you change how many times you have to wash your garments. Photo: Getty Images
This is how you change how many times you have to wash your garments. Photo: Getty Images

The final tip is to regularly clean your washing machine. This will help ensure your clothes come out looking their best.

While it’s recommended to consult with an expert before removing a stain, there is one method you can employ to limit the damage.

If you find a red wine stain on your favourite blouse, avoid hot water as this will set the stain into the fabric.

Instead, dab the stain with cold water. Don’t rub as this will massage the stain into the fabric.

We don’t want to air your dirty laundry, but start adopting these tips and you’ll be on your way to a perfectly preserved wardrobe.

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