Millions of people are clueless when it comes to washing clothes

By Grant Bailey, 72Point via SWNS

Millions of people are stumped when it comes to how to wash their clothes - committing a number of laundry fails.

A poll of 2,000 adults, who do the washing, found almost half have left a tissue in the pocket causing it to go everywhere.

While 27 percent have accidentally discolored white clothes with a bright item and one fifth have shrunk clothing after putting the machine on the wrong setting.

Other errors include leaving wet clothes in the drum too often (26 percent), overfilling the machine (20 percent) and putting detergents in the wrong drawer (18 percent).

Nearly half (46 per cent) often make mistakes because they have trouble understanding the care labels on their clothes.

While a third don’t know what is supposed to go in each section of the washing machine drawers, and a quarter are perplexed by which temperature setting to use for their load.

And 25 percent struggle to work out their lights and darks.

The research was commissioned by laundry experts Dr. Beckmann, which worked with Troy the Magician to reveal the true magic of getting your laundry habits right first time, by using the brand’s Magic Leaves.

Susan Fermor, a spokesperson for the cleaning and laundry brand, said: “Doing the washing can be a troublesome task, as revealed by our ‘laundry list’ of mishaps befalling Brits each day.

“And for good reason - for what may seem a simple task, there can be a lot of information to consider, from the washing machine settings to the laundry products you use, to the needs of the garments themselves.’’

Troy von Scheibner, a.k.a Troy the magician, said: “As a magician, my job is to help people see the magic in everyday life and that includes the household activities we may see as chore.

“I’m sure we can all agree that it’s important now more than ever to make sure we’re getting more for our money - and ensuring every product purchase goes as far as possible.”

The study also found 44 percent almost always use the same setting on their washing machine because they have no idea what the other programs are for.

While 21 percent frequently stick to hot washes because they’re worried a cold wash won’t kill bacteria properly.

As for clothing materials which cause chore-bearers a headache, correctly cleaning wool was an issue for 27 percent, while 24 percent balk at the thought of getting a stain out of silk.

Cashmere, leather and suede were also identified as nightmare materials to launder.

Despite being a deceptively simple task, and a part of everyday life, 46 percent admitted they find keeping their clothes clean an ongoing challenge.

Although 44 percent court catastrophe by rarely checking the labels on their clothes before they disappear into the drum.

As a result of a laundry blunder, 53 percent have had to wash the same load of washing multiple times to get the desired result.

These washing machine mishaps aren’t without casualties, with 54 percent admitting the need to throw garments away which have been ruined in the wash.

And 43 percent resist wearing one or more of the items of clothing in their wardrobe - because they are unsure about how to wash it.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, found 41 percent have had an item of clothing sacrificed to the washing machine by a partner who laundered it incorrectly.

While only 37 percent would trust their other half to do a good job of washing their favorite outfit.

Susan Fermor added: “Doing the laundry is a part of everyday life, but so it seems, is a laundry mishap.

“Choosing the right product really can take the guesswork out of the washing, coupled with some basic knowledge about your machine and any specific requirements for your garments.”

TOP 15 MOST COMMON LAUNDRY FAILS:

1. Leaving a tissue in a pocket resulting in pesky white fluff on clean laundry
2. Putting a colored item of clothing in the wash, causing discoloration to any white laundry
3. Leaving loose change in a pocket and hearing it rattle in the drum
4. Leaving wet clothes in the drum for a long time after a wash, causing odors
5. Color running from a garment and staining others
6. Over-filling the drum, leading to a poor wash
7. Turning clothes pink from a red item of clothing in the wash
8. Washing on the wrong setting and shrinking or ruining a garment
9. Over-filling the drum, causing the washing machine to make a worrying sound
10. Putting laundry detergents or fabric conditioners etc. in the wrong drawer of the machine
11. Washing on the wrong setting and ruining a garment’s shape
12. Staining your clothes due to a dirty washing machine
13. Over-filling the drum, meaning the washing machine leaks
14. Damaging the absorbency of items by using too much fabric softener
15. Leaving tech items, such as phones or earbuds, in a pocket