Matt
Let’s face it: laundry products are expensive. And as long as you have a large family and a lot of laundry to wash regularly, the budget goes up very quickly. Many people are then looking for less expensive alternatives. Of course, there are always tricks to save money in this direction. Besides, you probably already have a product at home that will do the job perfectly. A little hint? It makes silverware and all kitchen utensils shine. Well done, you guessed it, it’s dishwashing liquid. Many are unaware of it, but it is the ideal alternative for cleaning your laundry. Two birds with one stone, do you like it?
Swapping your laundry detergent for dishwashing liquid may seem quite unusual. Because, usually, it is used to wash dishes, pots and pans. We can’t imagine associating it with our laundry, which is still more delicate than all these kitchen utensils. However, as effective as it is in removing encrusted dirt from your plates and cutlery, it is perfectly capable of removing stubborn stains from your sweaters and pants. Thanks to its versatility, it tracks down all types of grease, from traces of oily sauces to dirt of all kinds. The only important precaution to take: as it produces a lot of foam which risks overflowing the washing machine, the dosage of dishwashing liquid must be much less important than the detergent. In addition to being practical and economical.
Can you clean your clothes with dishwashing liquid?
Rest assured, the brand and type of dishwashing liquid do not affect the wash, they all work very well. We still advise you to choose a pleasant scent, like lemon. If you wish, to bring even more freshness to your laundry, you can add a few drops of lavender essential oil, for example.
Essential point: it is imperative to dose the dishwashing liquid by always applying the right amount to avoid overflows in the washing machine. We recommend 1 cap of the product for small loads, 2 caps for medium loads, and 3 caps if you really have a lot of dirty laundry to wash.
You will need to run 2 wash cycles:
- In the first cycle, load colored clothes (with resistant fabrics) in the drum and pour the right amount of dishwashing detergent into the powder compartment, as if it were regular detergent. Wash at 40°C for 1 hour.
- The next cycle is a wash with powder detergent. You can use the cheapest product. Pour it into the detergent compartment, as for a normal wash. Wash clothes at 90°C for 1h30. This cycle will be final with rinsing and spinning. To make clothes more fragrant and soft, you can add fabric softener.
After washing colored clothes, always run the drum cleaning cycle.
And only there you can load white and delicate laundry for a new wash cycle.
Of course, if the clothes are very dirty, it is better to pre-soak them in a basin of soapy water beforehand. Add 2 or 3 capfuls of dishwashing detergent to 5 liters of water.
As you can see, the dishwashing detergent is very efficient for washing clothes: even the most persistent stains have completely disappeared!
Why should you clean the washing machine?
You can’t use your washing machine almost daily and expect it to remain functional if you don’t sanitize it regularly. Over time, through use and detergent residue, it ends up being infested with mold and bacteria that can affect its operation and accumulate bad odors.
The washing machine filter is usually located on the bottom edge of the machine, behind a hinged cover. It has a crucial role since it is there to protect the device’s pump by catching all sorts of objects that come off the clothes during washing: buttons, stuffed animals, coins, handkerchiefs, hair, etc. Also, it is a place conducive to the formation of germs and bacteria. As a bonus, between the heat and the humidity, it is also a fertile ground for all kinds of bad odors that can infiltrate the laundry. The solution? Empty it regularly to remove the lint and dirt accumulated inside. Be careful, however, to avoid the risk of burns, do not plan to clean it after washing at a high temperature!
Note: It is always important to carefully read the instructions in your washing machine manual for optimal cleaning. Some manufacturers advise against the use of descaling products in their machines.
