Pre-washing in a washing machine - not everyone knows what it is and what the mode is used for. Almost all modern technology models are equipped with this function. In this article we will look at what it is, as well as all its advantages and disadvantages, so that you can decide whether it is worth using.
Dry cleaning icon
Circle - the dry cleaning icon means removing dirt and stains on items that cannot be washed with regular washing using solvents.
There are two types of chemical treatment of fabric:
- Dry cleaning uses a specific solvent suitable for the specific material. Includes the stage of removing dirt, followed by rinsing, spinning and drying until the detergent evaporates.
- When wet cleaning, items are treated with water according to a special technology, and detergent additives are used that minimize the negative consequences of cleaning delicate fabrics. This procedure completely eliminates the use of aggressive detergents.
Minor stains usually do not require professional cleaning. According to the icons on the clothes, dry cleaning can be done at home; see how to do this in the video below.
Consumer Reviews
Samsung WW12H8400EX/LP looks like something fantastic thanks to the internal lighting and blue glass of the hatch. Convenient huge drum. The controls are intuitive. We use child lock. Things that wrinkle a little when worn do not need to be ironed after washing with the anti-crease mode turned on.
Fedor, St. Petersburg.
Pros of Indesit IWUB 4085: narrow and compact; easy to operate; quiet; affordable. If you do not overload the drum, it washes clothes well. Most often I use the quick wash mode. I turned on crease prevention and didn't notice much of a difference.
Kristina, Volgograd.
Previous
Next
The model range of washing machines from major manufacturers, as a rule, includes devices with drying and ironing functions. Such multifunctional devices fall into the expensive segment.
But purchasing a universal SMA will allow you to use the iron less often, which means at least saving you time. Indeed, in most cases, after turning on the easy ironing option, the laundry is removed from the drum with virtually no wrinkles.
Video
What other modes are there?
The Duvet program deserves a thumbs up. As the name suggests, it is suitable for bulky bedding. But it can also be used for other large things with fillers. In this mode you can wash a winter jacket, a sofa cover or a large sleeping blanket. You will have to wait exactly 90 minutes for things to be washed at a temperature of 40 degrees.
During its operation, not only noise, but also vibration is reduced to a minimum. However, this mode is not suitable for things with medium and heavy soiling. They need to be postponed until a more convenient moment.
The “Sportswear” option deserves attention. It will help you refresh your form after training in various sports. The program will also help with simple physical exercises. It provides excellent washing of membrane fabric. This option is also recommended for refreshing clothes after strenuous physical work in the fresh air.
Many people are interested in which mode to use for shoes. It’s worth considering here that even the best-quality sneakers can’t stand rough handling. Their washing temperature should be up to 40 degrees (ideally 30). The washing time should not exceed ½ hour, and therefore the “Fast 30” program is most often chosen. You will only need to additionally install the “no spin” option.
The “No Crease” mode is designed to simplify subsequent ironing of things. It is often used for shirts and T-shirts. Some items made of synthetics and mixed materials do not need to be ironed additionally; just hang them carefully on a hanger. But such a program will not cope with the processing of cotton and bed linen. As for the “Bubble Wash” mode, it involves removing dirt due to air bubbles, and at the same time increases the efficiency of using the powder.
Bubble treatment:
- improves the quality of washing;
- prevents damage to things;
- cannot be carried out in hard water;
- increases the price of the car.
“Bulky items” is a program for items that absorb a lot of water. The processing time will be no less than 1 hour and no more than 1 hour 55 minutes. The longest work time is typical for the Baby Clothes program; This type of washing is the most gentle and is of high quality. The laundry will be thoroughly rinsed. The water consumption will be very high; The total cycle duration will be approximately 140 minutes.
Activator and drum type machines
The basis of the device is its tank. It is filled with water, then clothes are placed in it, and a suitable detergent is poured in (this can be a high-quality powder and conditioner).
There are different types of washing machines, for example, activator. Water circulates in them due to a special activator in the form of a disk located in the bottom of the tank. The laundry must be loaded into the tank, add detergent and then fill it with water, then close it tightly. When the operating cycle is completed, the water should be drained manually.
As for drum-type devices, they are distinguished by the presence of a drum in the tank. When using them, you only need to load the laundry and add detergent. After this, the tank is closed and water is poured. A number of such devices have a spinning device. Any operations must be performed independently - pouring and draining water, etc.
Requirements for washing powder
A properly selected detergent must meet the following requirements:
- The powder should be easily soluble in water.
- It is necessary to exclude the situation when, after the end of the procedure, unwashed grains of powder remain among the fibers of the fabric.
- The presence of aggressive components in the detergent is unacceptable: enzymes, chlorine or the like.
- As a result, the color of the laundry should not change.
- If the selected washing powder gives clothes an unpleasant odor, then it will not be suitable for items made of delicate fabrics.
- After completing the procedure, the washed laundry should not become rough or hard to the touch. It is necessary that it remains soft and tender.
Linen
How to wash
Undyed linen can be washed at temperatures up to 90°C, while colored items are suitable for cooler water – 30–40°C. Such things can withstand spinning at 600 rpm, but you shouldn’t twist them by hand: you can overdo it and stretch or tear the fabric.
Chlorine bleaches are not suitable for linen. If you need to remove a stubborn stain, use oxygen products. Soak your clothes with them before washing and set the extra rinse mode.
If there is embroidery on a linen item, it is better not to take risks and wash such a product by hand so that it does not fade. You cannot soak the area with the pattern for a long time and vigorously rub it, as you will only ruin the clothes.
Preparing bed linen for washing
If you have prepared several sets of bed linen, then the following conditions must be met:
- It is necessary to wash colored bed linen separately from white - this rule is observed for any washing of things, if you do not follow it, then your linen will become stained after washing, if this has already happened, then read on our website what to do in such a situation.
- Linens made from different types of fabrics should be washed separately - for example, if you have two sets of bed linen, one made of calico, the second made of silk, then they must be washed separately, because even their washing programs will be different.
- Washing a newborn's clothes should be done separately with a special washing powder, so separate children's clothes from adults.
- Pay attention to the weight of the laundry - do not forget that the washing machine is limited by the maximum possible load, and if you stuff too many things into it, it will simply refuse to wash. A regular bedding set with two pillowcases usually weighs no more than 2 kg.
- Turn the laundry inside out – before washing, it is advisable, especially colored ones, to turn the laundry inside out.
- Before putting your laundry in the drum, look at the washing instructions - for each product that requires washing, the manufacturer places labels with washing instructions. You can read on our website what the laundry icons mean.
- The laundry should fit freely into the drum - bed linen is quite a voluminous thing and if your washing machine has a large drum, then you can put two sets into it. In any case, do not try to stuff as much laundry into the drum as possible, it should fit freely, and the quality of the wash depends on this.
If you follow these rules, you will not be able to ruin your bed linen. Next you need to select the required washing mode and start it.
Principle of operation
How do you understand the term “Pre-wash”? This means that an additional procedure occurs before the main program. The option can be enabled or disabled as desired. But some modes already involve soaking in a washing machine, for example the “Cotton” program at a water temperature of 90 degrees.
Now let’s figure out what the principle of operation of the pre-mode in a washing machine is:
- You need to pour powder into the detergent compartment for pre-soaking in the washing machine, then select a program;
- Water is drawn into the drum of the machine and heated to 30 degrees. This temperature can remove various stains, including those from fruit or coffee;
- The washing machine draws water from the tray that contains the detergent for soaking. In this case, the powder remains in the main compartment. How much powder should I pour? Fill the compartment exactly as much as the main wash compartment is filled;
- The laundry is cleaned by a drum that rotates slowly;
- We have already looked at how long the pre-wash lasts. Depending on the manufacturer and model of the equipment, the procedure lasts a certain amount of time;
- The water is drained, after which the main wash begins.
In this mode, a compartment is used, which is designated by the Roman or Arabic numeral 1, as well as the letter A. Many people wonder about pre-wash detergent - what is it? For this you can use the same powder as for the main one. But there are also special chemicals for more effective soaking, for example, HG, Crystal or Persil.
Drying products
The washing process without spin means that items will contain excess moisture after being unloaded from the machine drum. You can remove it by first drying it in a terry towel.
Woolen products are first dried on a horizontal surface, placing a dense, dry, lint-free cloth underneath. The item is straightened out, restoring its shape, avoiding creases. In the process of absorbing moisture, the lining is changed to dry.
Silk, viscose, chiffon blouses are dried without direct sunlight, in the open air. The product is transferred to a vertical position only after complete drying, choosing wide hangers for storage.
Do you wash by hand?
Oh yes! No
Silk
Ben Bryant / Shutterstock.com
How to wash
Natural silk is a capricious fabric, so it is better to wash such clothes by hand. Forget about bleaches and harsh stain removers, they can ruin things. For washing, use special gels for delicate fabrics or regular shampoo.
Silk is suitable for water temperatures up to 40 °C. Soak the clothes for a maximum of 15 minutes and wash carefully, do not rub with all your might or stretch the fabric. Rinse your clothes thoroughly to ensure they are streak-free after drying. You need to rinse several times, gradually reducing the water temperature.
How to dry
Silk should not be twisted: wet fabric can be easily damaged. Wring out gently, let the water drain, and then dry the item with a terry towel (like wool items).
It is better to dry silk clothes in a horizontal position. You can use a clothes dryer or a clothesline, but then you should put a layer of thick fabric (at least the same terry towel) under the clothes. Clothespins are prohibited; they will leave traces.
Iron silk clothes at minimum temperature from the inside out. You should not steam or spray it with water: stains and streaks will appear. To get rid of them, you will have to wash and dry the item again. After ironing the product, let it cool, otherwise wrinkles will appear again.
What items should be washed in this mode?
An informal list of delicate fabrics and items is formed based on experience working with them. It is supplemented and adjusted. Usually these are complex products with many bright inserts and accessories, underwear, curtains, curtains, fabric sneakers, soft toys. This includes thermal underwear, fabrics with pleated effect, rhinestones, and other decorations.
The following materials are considered delicate:
- Silk.
- Chiffon.
- Batiste.
- Wool.
- Guipure.
- Atlas.
- Viscose.
- Lace.
- Polyester.
- Cashmere.
- Elastane.
- Knitwear.
- Microfiber and new generation fabrics.
You can recognize the material by its appearance or try washing a piece of similar fabric. If it turns out that a thing stretches, tears, or sheds, you need to take special care of it.
If the type of material is not determined, starch paste will remove heavy contamination. It must be applied to the stain, allowed to dry, and cleaned off with a sponge. Then the item must be washed in a neutral substance: soap, baby shampoo.
Recommendations
To extend the service life of equipment, it is very important to follow certain washing rules.
- When washing newly purchased products, you first need to look at their label or tag to see if they can be washed by machine, or is it recommended to do it manually;
- First, the linen is carefully sorted by fabric type and color;
- it is important not to forget to check your pockets, remove from them all small items and money forgotten there;
- Before you start washing, you should check that buttons and other parts are securely fastened to the clothes;
- clothes with zippers, all kinds of jackets, trousers and other similar things should be turned inside out - this way they will be washed more efficiently.
Typically, various washing powders or high-quality liquid substances are used. Liquid solutions are best. Powders do not always dissolve well in hard water. This is their problem. In addition, liquid substances are better able to wash dirt from clothes.
Some types of powders, as well as liquid specialized products, contain various substances that significantly soften the water used. They are great for hard water. If they are not used, the unit may quickly break down when using hard water.
There are special effective means for bleaching clothes that do not contain chlorine. You can also choose products designed for colored fabrics. To make the linen tender and soft and with a pleasant aroma, and to keep its shape, conditioners are used.
When to turn it on?
How do you know when you can't do without pre-washing? If things are heavily soiled, persistent, numerous, or old, you are unlikely to get by with a regular program. The mode can be launched before all the main programs - “Cotton”, “Jeans”, “Synthetics”, “Dark items”. Turn it on before gentle, manual and intensive mode. Pre-washing is a delicate process; it will not harm even the most capricious fabrics.
Today, many people wash their clothes almost every day - why save up dirty laundry if there is a machine that can quickly freshen up any item. For this purpose, express mode is launched. No soaking is required before fast programs.
