We put a lot of time and thought into our clothes. Even for those of us who don’t consider ourselves fashionistas, we still have to pick them out, purchase them, wash, dry, fold, and sometimes even iron them. Whether you care about what you wear or not, you don’t want to be needlessly wasteful with your clothes, and hopefully make them last as long as possible.

However, there’s a laundry setting that’s quietly ruining clothes, making our stretchy leggings less elastic and brightly colored tops less vibrant. Maybe even shrinking our sweaters and ruining our lingerie.

Yep, it’s the hot water cycle.

There are times when washing in hot water is necessary, but most of the time, it can wreak havoc on your clothing. Let’s take a look at when to use it and what other options you have to keep your clothes clean and looking good.

When to Use the Hot Water Cycle

So, if the hot water cycle is ruining our clothes, why would we ever use it? Well, as is often the case with heat, hot water is better at disinfecting and cleaning clothing than cold water. Washing your clothes at 130 degrees Fahrenheit or above (the typical temperature of a hot water cycle) is the best way to get rid of germs and bacteria. It’s also the best way to get rid of some stains.

However, hot water weakens the fibers of clothing more than cooler temperatures do, causing pilling, thinning, shrinking, and fading.  Only use the hot water cycle to keep your whites very white and to wash clothing that needs serious cleaning, like cloth diapers, socks, and cotton underwear. It’s also fine for towels and sheets. Pre-shrunk clothing won’t shrink more in hot water, but could still deteriorate like other fabrics, so use hot water sparingly. 

When to Use the Cold Water Cycle

Washing in cold water has a few advantages. It doesn’t break down clothing fibers as quickly, so it helps clothes last longer and bright colors stay vibrant. It also uses less energy since your machine isn’t heating water.  Washing clothing in cold water can even help prevent wrinkles since it’s less damaging to easily wrinkled fabrics like linen and cotton.

Because it’s gentler on clothing, cold water is best for delicate fabrics like lace and silk. It’s also best for any cashmere or wool items you wash to avoid shrinking. Exercise clothing with spandex, leggings, and other stretchy clothes are also best washed in cold water. 

Wash any clothing that needs mild cleaning rather than serious disinfecting in cold water. Pants, sweaters, most shirts, and hoodies can all be washed in cold water. 

It’s worth noting that some detergents don’t fully dissolve in cold water. If you find this to be a problem, look for cold water laundry detergents. If you have lots of delicates, you may also want to get a gentle lingerie detergent and a wool and cashmere detergent that is formulated for knitted clothing. 

A Nice Compromise

A warm water cycle can be a good alternative to hot water in some cases. Warm water cycles use water that is between 90 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This cycle is nearly as effective as hot water for general cleaning, including shirts, socks, pajamas, jeans, and other moderately dirty clothes. It’s a good middle ground, getting clothes cleaner than cold water without wearing them down as much as hot water does. 

Warm water is good at removing body oils, sweat, and light stains in clothing. It’s also better than cold water for dissolving laundry detergent and loosening up dirt and grime. 

Use the hot water cycle for anything needing serious disinfecting, the cold water cycle for anything delicate, stretchy, or brightly colored, and the warm water cycle for anything needing a moderate amount of cleansing. Your clothes (and your wallet) will thank you.

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Our homes are full of items that need regular cleaning outside of the standard sweeping, mopping, and dusting. I have a routine, and each time, I do it the same way, without much thought on how I’m actually cleaning these odds and ends. But just because something is routine doesn’t mean it’s right. I was surprised to learn that there are quite a few everyday household items that I’ve been cleaning wrong for a long time. In case you’re the same, here are some of those items, plus a few things we should simply be cleaning more often in general!

Wooden Utensils

I love using wooden utensils for cooking and baking. In fact, I just splurged on this teak set. They feel upscale and look classy in my kitchen. They also cover every cooking task I need and are sturdy and long-lasting.

However, wooden utensils shouldn’t go in the dishwasher, as it can cause warping and cracking. They also shouldn’t be left to sit in water for extended periods of time. Instead, hand-wash them and set aside to thoroughly dry. 

Cast Iron Pans

You’ve probably heard that cast iron can’t be cleaned with soap, but that’s not the case. Cast iron-restorer Ashley L. Jones says you can use a mild dish soap and a natural bristle brush to wash your cast iron pan when you need to — the outdated advice comes from a time when soap had lye. Don’t saturate it in soap, but a few drops of today’s formulas should be fine. Dry the pan, then put it on the stove over low heat. Add a teaspoon of vegetable oil, and spread it around to season the pan. 

Laminate Countertops

To clean laminate countertops, use a soft cloth or sponge, warm water, and dish soap. Wipe counters down, then wipe them again with clean water to get rid of the soap and dry with a clean towel. Do not use abrasive scrubbing pads because they can scratch or dull the surface of the countertops. 

To cut through greasy buildup, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the counters, then wipe with a soft cloth. 

Reading Glasses

I’ll confess to wiping my glasses clean with whatever I find at hand, including the edge of my shirt or part of a blanket. But it doesn’t ever really do a good job, and you can end up with scratched lenses, depending on what you’re grabbing, like paper towels. To clean glasses, spray them with lens spray and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. Many glasses even come with their own cloth, so it’s important to keep that on hand so you won’t be tempted to use something else.

Phone Screens

It might seem like spraying glass cleaners or other products on your phone to wipe the screen makes sense. But most smartphones now have a special coating that repels oil, especially oil from fingertips and you don’t want to remove that protective coating. Instead, to clean your phone screen, wipe it with a soft, slightly damp cloth like a lens cloth. If you need to disinfect it, use a 70% isopropyl or 75% ethyl alcohol wipe or a Clorox disinfecting wipe. Don’t use any products with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Be sure you don’t get any moisture in the openings, and don’t use compressed air on them. 

Hearing Aids

The biggest challenge with keeping hearing aids clean and working efficiently is moisture. Most hearing aid sets come with a special brush for cleaning. You’ll also want a dry box to dry and sanitize them overnight, especially if you live in a humid environment. Clean your hearing aids using the included set once a day to keep them working well. You’ll also want to replace wax filters every three to four weeks.

Cane Tips and Walker Legs

Just like the bottoms of your shoes, the tips of canes and ends of walkers pick up dirt and debris as you walk around. That debris can reduce the grip and make canes and walkers more slippery. Cleaning the ends is also a good time to check for wear and tear. If any of the caps are ripped or have lost traction, replace them. 

Begin by removing dirt, leaves, small stones, and other debris by hand. Then, dip a cloth into soapy water and wash the ends. Scrub any problem areas. You can even use a toothbrush to loosen stubborn dirt. Rinse the soapy water and dry the ends before using. You can also use a disinfectant cloth to sanitize. 

Reusable Straws

It’s easy to throw straws in the dishwasher, but they can accumulate buildup inside that requires a more thorough cleaning. Some straws are also not suited for the dishwasher at all. In these cases, use a straw cleaning brush. To start, run warm water through the straw right after using it, especially if you’ve been sipping thick liquids like smoothies or shakes. This keeps buildup from developing and makes them easier to clean. Put a drop of dish soap on the brush, and scrub the inside. Wash the outside of the straw with soap and warm water, and thoroughly rinse. Stand the straw upright in a cup or dish rack to dry so water doesn’t collect inside. 

Medical Alert Devices and Jewelry

Wash stainless steel, silicone, or plastic medical alert jewelry with a mild soap and water. Rinse and wipe it dry. 

For sterling silver and gold jewelry,  use a very mild soap and water. Soak your jewelry, gently scrub any engravings with a soft-bristle toothbrush, and rinse under cool water. Dry the jewelry thoroughly with a soft cloth or microfiber towel. Silver jewelry can also be treated with a silver polishing cloth to keep it shiny and remove any tarnish. Do not use harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, since those can damage the silver or other precious metals. 

Battery Contacts

Electronic devices that use batteries, like remotes and handheld gaming sets, may need cleaning at the point where those batteries connect with the device. Over time, battery terminals can corrode, and you might see a white, crusty, or greenish residue. Corroded contacts may keep your device from working properly. 

Make sure the device is turned off and remove the batteries. Dab a cotton swab in white vinegar or lemon juice and swipe it on the corroded area. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub the area with a dry toothbrush or cotton swab. Wipe everything clean with a cloth. Make sure the device is completely dry before inserting new batteries. 

TV and Computer Screens

As with smartphones, you shouldn’t use glass cleaner or other harsh chemicals like alcohol or ammonia to clean your TV or computer. To clean your screen, first turn off and unplug your device. Wipe the screen carefully with a soft microfiber cloth that won’t scratch. If there are stubborn spots or marks, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water and wipe it gently. Dry with a different microfiber cloth. 

Stuff We Should All Clean More Often

Along with not cleaning things properly, there are several things I forget to clean altogether. Here are some things that should be cleaned regularly.

Reusable Grocery Bags

Wash your reusable grocery bags once a week to get rid of any bacteria and dirt. Toss cloth grocery bags, like these adorable animal totes, right in the washing machine to keep them clean.

Coffee Makers

You should regularly descale your coffee maker to prevent mold and mineral buildup. You can buy descaler solutions, or use vinegar and water. Empty your coffee maker and fill the reservoir with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Start a brewing cycle and let it run halfway. Pause it and let the solution soak for 30 to 60 minutes. Finish the cycle and then run two or three full cycles with fresh water. Wipe everything down at the end. 

Toothbrush Holders

I often forget to clean my toothbrush holder, but they quickly collect excess toothpaste and are full of bacteria. How you clean your toothbrush holder will depend on the materials it’s made of, but many can either run through the dishwasher or be washed with soap and water. 

Hairbrushes

You might regularly pull the hair out of hairbrushes, but they also need washing from time to time. If your brush is plastic or rubber, soak it in a bowl of soapy water to remove any oil and debris. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the base and bristles. Rinse and let it air dry. If your brush has a wooden handle or natural bristles, don’t soak it. Instead, wipe it with a cloth damp with soapy water. Use an old toothbrush to get into the tight spaces. Wipe it down with a clean cloth and air dry. 

Pet Bowls

We wash our own dishes every time we use them, but we don’t always do that for our pets! We should wash pet bowls every day to prevent bacteria and germs from old food and pet saliva. Keep an extra set around so you always have clean bowls on hand, even if you can’t get scrubbing right away. 

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