Pre-washing habit stopping your socks from getting properly clean
If you've been diligently turning every item of clothing the right way out before washing, you could be preventing them from getting properly clean.
Many of us do this for socks, hoping that exposing the dark patches on the soles will remove those stains.
But experts have revealed there are several important reasons why inside out is the right way to wash socks.
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This sock would get a more thorough clean if turned inside out, experts say. Getty
"Unless the outsides of your socks are exceptionally dirty, turning socks inside out before washing is a small habit that makes a big difference when it comes to keeping them looking bright and feeling fresh," Patrick S. Harewood, senior director of research and development at Dropps, told The Spruce.
Fabric care scientist Kim Romine added that washing socks inside out keeps them in good condition by reducing the exterior's exposure to agitation in the machine.
Another reason to wash socks inside out is that you'll be exposing the dirtiest side to the water and laundry detergent.
As you can imagine there is plenty of sweat, dead skin cells, bacteria and odours on the side of socks that directly touches your skin and washing them wrong side out will remove those things more thoroughly.
For any stains on the right side of a sock, it's best to pre-treat them before putting them in the wash.
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Stains on socks are best pre-treated before washing. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Socks aren't the only item of clothing that is best washed inside out, all of them can benefit from being put in the machine that way.
"As a general rule of thumb, washing clothes inside out can drastically increase the shelf life of your wardrobe, so it'd be wise to practice this step when washing any load," Deyan Dimitrov, the CEO of LaundryHeap, told The Mirror.
"Turning clothes inside out before they're washed ensures the outer layer isn't being rubbed against by other items in the washing machine."
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Dimitrov said it's particularly important to wash high-performance activewear inside out if it has a water repellant coating as this can break down more easily if washed the right way around.
If washing your clothes inside out doesn't seem to make them come out of the wash any cleaner there are other things you can do.
One common reason for odours, stains and residue appearing on clothes after a cycle is using too much detergent.
Washing clothes inside out helps clean them better and protect them from damage in the wash. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Detergent is washed off clothes during the rinse cycle, but there is only so much the rinse cycle can remove. Any detergent remaining on the clothes leaves a residue on them causing stains and odours.
Using about one to two tablespoons per load is usually enough to clean your clothes.
Overloading the machine can also prevent clothes from washing well because they won't have any room to move around. Making sure the machine is about three quarters full or that you can fit a full hand at the top ensures plenty of space for effective washing.
It's also important to clean your machine about once a month to remove any odours and product buildup inside it.
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