21 May 2025
how to do laundry... properly.
NEWSFLASH...
60% of new students heading off to uni haven’t got the foggiest idea how to do their own laundry.1
Which means: they’re either wearing suspiciously crusty socks... or someone back home is getting a LOT of texts. But never fear! We’re here with your laundry lifeline.
A 10-step guide to fresh, clean clothes without the drama of lost socks.
laundry learnings (for life).
But it’s not just the freshers who are confused. Laundry continues to mystify many of us.
- 74% of people don’t understand what clothing care symbols mean.
- 42% stick to just two programmes on their machine.
- 29% have never tried a cool wash. Not once.
The good news? A few simple things such as embracing full loads, washing cool and ditching the dryer could save you up to £149 a year2 AND lower your carbon footprint. So let’s dive into our 10-step guide...
1. label love.
Care labels = your wardrobe’s instruction manual. Always read the labels!
They’ll tell you the fabric type, ideal wash temperature, whether something’s hand wash only, or if you should back away with the detergent and call the dry cleaner.
2. sort it out.
Split your laundry into:
Lights + whites (think: socks, underwear, bedsheets)
Darks + brights (jeans, jumpers, that loud shirt from last weekend)
And try to avoid washing lint-makers (like towels) with lint-lovers (like fleece or corduroy). Unless you're after that snowstorm aesthetic.
3. refine.
This step is optional BUT if you have a BIG pile of laundry it can be worthwhile breaking it down further.
Items that could do with a hotter wash (like towels or bedding) can go in their own load. Cool wash items (like delicates or activewear) get grouped separately too.
This lets you tailor your wash temperature and cycle to match the fabric. Smart stuff.
4. pre-wash prep.
Before anything goes in:
- Empty pockets. (Rogue tissue = snowstorm part 2.)
- Zip up zippers to stop snagging.
- Undo buttons to avoid rips.
- Check for stickers, receipts, or chewing gum. (It happens.)
- Stains? Pretreat with a little smol stain gel. It’s enzyme-packed and ready for action.
5. pick your potion (aka detergent).
We’re a bit biased, but a super-concentrated detergent like smol makes all the difference.
Bio: contains enzymes that break down stains. Best for sweaty, muddy, ketchup-splattered situations.
Non-bio: enzyme-free and perfect for sensitive skin or baby clothes.
Or of course there’s always our fragrance-free non-bio laundry capsule that’s recommended by Allergy UK. Great for those with exceptionally sensitive skin or for those who simply prefer their laundry detergent perfume-free.
Pop a capsule straight into the empty drum.
Or go liquid: 10 pumps into the detergent drawer.
Got a tough stain? Add 4 pumps of our smol stain gel to the drawer or directly onto the fabric.
6. temperature check.
Modern detergents like ours work brilliantly at 20°C.
So unless you’re washing bedding, underwear or towels (which may need 40 to 60°C to truly zap the germs), you can turn down the temp and save energy with every load.
If you’re washing any delicates? Use the gentle cycle with a slow spin because exposing your favourite wool jumper on a heavy-duty setting is a risk that’s probably not worth taking.
7. load with love.
Pop your laundry in piece by piece - not in tangled wads and turn any dark or brightly coloured items inside out to help preserve their colour.
Always try to aim for a full load (it saves time, energy and carbon)... but don’t cram the machine. Clothes need space to swish (a hand’s span of space between the top of your laundry and the inside of the drum is a good guide).
Need a visual? Check out our #washwell guide to see what a proper full load looks like.
8. unload asap.
Wet laundry sitting in the drum = more wrinkles, a risk of mildew and extra musty smells.
As soon as the cycle ends, get those clothes out and on to drying.
9. drying details.
Line drying is usually best for your clothes, the planet, and your bills. But if there’s no space outside or the weather isn’t playing ball then try a heated airer or dehumidifier indoors.
Tumble dryers are fast, yes… but they’re energy guzzlers and can shrink or fade your fabrics. Save it for emergencies (or socks when it’s raining sideways).
10. store like a pro.
The added bonus of having hung up your clothes to air dry? You’ve cut down the ironing pile by a good way! When your laundry is fully dry, sort into:
Fold-for-drawers
Hang-for-wardrobe
Zips zipped. Buttons buttoned. Shape protected. Job. Done.
laundry legend.
And there you have it. 10 smol steps to clean, sorted, shrink-free success.
Your secret weapon? A quality detergent (hello, smol), a cool head, and the knowledge that clean laundry doesn’t need to be complicated.
Try smol laundry capsules with a free trial, and give your laundry the glow-up it deserves.
*Study by Birmingham City University 60% new arrivals have ‘rarely or never’ done their own washing.
**Energy Savings Trust 2023.