Laundry products cover washing, drying and caring for clothes and household textiles. This category includes washing powders, liquids, gels and capsules, fabric conditioners, stain removers and washing machine cleaners, along with rotary airers, pulley lines, heated airers, ironing boards, moth traps and moisture absorbers.
Detergents
- Biological: contains enzymes that break down protein, fat and starch based stains, and cleans well at lower wash temperatures such as 30°C.
- Non-biological: contains no enzymes, and is often chosen for people with sensitive skin.
- Capsules: pre-measured doses of liquid or gel. Keep them in their original pack with the lid closed, out of the reach and sight of children.
- Stain removers and boosters: many use oxygen bleach. Use them only on fabrics whose care label allows bleaching.
Reading the care label
The figure in the washtub symbol is the highest wash temperature in °C, and one or two bars underneath mean a gentler cycle. A plain triangle means any bleach can be used, a triangle with two diagonal lines means oxygen bleach only, and a crossed-out triangle means no bleach at all. Square symbols cover drying, and the iron symbol covers ironing.
Drying and airing
Rotary airers are described by the number of arms and the total length of line, so check the garden has room for the arms when open. Pulley lines and replacement cord come in set lengths, so measure the run first. Heated airers help with drying indoors, and moisture absorbers draw damp out of the air in small rooms and cupboards.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety data for all laundry chemicals. For household cleaning products, see cleaning; for irons, see home electrical.
