Step-by-step guide to washing your clothes

No one wants to run out of socks.

Washing your clothes regularly is a good habit to get into, and where here to show you how to do it.

• Invest in a laundry basket and some detergent.  It doesn’t need to be pricey. If it smells nice and cleans your clothes, you’re good to go.  ‘Non-bio’ means there are fewer chemicals so it’s less harsh on skin, but ‘bio’ is slightly stronger. So it’s up to you.  Don’t forget fabric softener too, to make the clothes nice and soft.

• Labels in clothes don't just tell you size and brand. Most laundry instructions are pretty self-explanatory, look out for ‘Dry Clean Only’. These need extra treatment and shouldn't be washed in a washing machine.

• There are ways of salvaging something ‘damaged beyond repair’. If you act quickly, red wine on your new white t-shirt can be gone in a flash – just pour on salt. Coat smells like the smoking area? Steam out smoke in the shower. Chewing gum on your hoodie? Stick it in the freezer and wait for it to harden so you can snap it off.

• Separate light, dark and colours into different washes. There's nothing worse than finding out a red sock has snuck in and dyed your white shirts pink! Try adding a colour catch sheet in to minimise the risk. You can buy them in lots of supermarkets and budget shops.

• Don't overload the machine as it won't be able to properly clean your clothes. There should be a good gap at the top so the machine can tumble and spin.
• Pour your detergent and conditioner in the correct slots, following instructions on the bottles or boxes. Most clothes can be washed at 30°c.

• Keep an eye on the time. Take your clothes out as soon as the cycle is finished.  It's polite, and great for your piece of mind to know your clothes are safe. Besides, damp clothes can get pretty gross and smelly.

• Use the dryers provided, cleaning out the lint (fluff) first.  Make sure your delicate items is suitable and won’t shrink! Otherwise, invest in a clothes–horse, they're great for saving money and energy. Remember: never dry your clothes on the electric heaters in accommodation. 

• Don’t overload the dryer as it might not dry your clothes properly.

• Hang things up – or at least fold them neatly, that way there’s less need to iron them.