Doing Laundry In Singapore - 9 Things to Look Out For

Laundry is an essential part of our daily routine. Many find it an unavoidable chore that only worsens as the family grows.

Understanding how to manage your laundry efficiently can save you time, money, and effort. Today, we discuss how you can better navigate through this everyday mundane in our hot and humid Singapore.

1. Sorting your laundry

If you have not been doing this - time to do so.

Proper sorting your laundry before washing them can prevent problems such as colour bleeding and fabric damage.

Colour

Colour running in fabrics is becoming less of a problem nowadays with advancements in dyeing technologies.

However, it is still prudent to separate new coloured clothes before washing them for the first time. Either run them through a fast wash cycle or at least soak them in water for 30 minutes and check for colour leaks.

Tips: Throw in a piece of kitchen towel together for the soak. If it gets stained, then you know we have a colour-leaking problem.

Fabric type

Group similar types of fabrics together. Yes, it can be a chore sometimes, but at least get the delicates away from the everyday wear.

Doing this lets you use a gentler wash cycle for the delicates. Special pieces such as brasseries or caps will also last longer if washed separately with a gentle wash and a laundry net.

Soil level

Items that are very dirty or filled with much perspiration, such as gym wear, should be washed separately from lightly soiled stuff.

This not only prevents dirt and grime from transferring to cleaner clothes but also allows you to wash them on a cycle suitable for dirtier loads.

2. Reading the Care Labels

Always check the care labels before you wash your clothes. They contain essential information on washing, drying and ironing your clothes without damaging them.

Symbols

Get yourself familiarised with common laundry symbols.

Each symbol gives you important guidance for the maximum temperature and specific washing considerations.

Instructions

Many labels also contain specific washing instructions. Fabrics that can run or absorb colours easily have “wash with similar colours,” or easily deformed materials can contain the “do not wring” warning.

Following these instructions can prevent laundry mishaps such as shrinking, fading or stretching of your fabrics.

3. Choosing the right detergents and other laundry products

Want to have clean clothes that last long? Choose quality chemicals that you add to your wash.

Detergents

Opt for high-quality detergents. Also, make sure it is suitable for your washing machine type (top load or front load).

The climate in Singapore is especially humid. Therefore, you may want to look for detergents with antibacterial properties. These can better prevent mould growth.

Fabric softeners

Fabric softeners make clothes feel softer and reduce static.

However, use them sparingly, as they can build up on fabrics over time, reducing their absorbency and breathability.

Avoid using fabric softeners if you are using the quick cycle on your machine: as the short washing time would be insufficient to rinse out the softeners completely.

Stain removers

Stain removers are not commonly used in Singapore.

Many times, popular detergents would already contain removers within their formula to combat stubborn stains.

Generally, invest in a good and reliable one if necessary. Inferior stain removers can risk damaging your clothes, making matters worse.

4. Pre-treating your laundry

Another way to remove stubborn stains is to pre-treating your clothes.

Try applying a small amount of detergent directly to the stain and letting it sit for a few minutes before tossing it into the washer to wash. If the fabric is tough, try gently rubbing the spot in a circular motion to work the detergent into the fibres.

If the smell is stubborn, consider soaking the clothes in detergent diluted with water for about 30 minutes before washing them. This can be particularly useful for gym clothes or dirtied children’s wear.

5. Washing techniques

I know. You just chuck your dirty laundry into the washer, choose the cycle the technician told you to use when he first installed the machine, and the rest is history.

Understanding the right washing techniques can prevent damage to your clothes and get them properly cleaned.

Water temperature

Modern washers allow you to adjust the washing temperature.

Use cold water for those delicate fabrics and to prevent colours from fading. For heavily soiled items and whites, hot water can do wonders and ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection of the load.

Washing cycle

Instead of relying on only one default, read your instruction manual and determine the appropriate washing cycle based on the fabric type and how dirty is your laundry.

Make use of the variety of cycles that often come with your machine. Some commonly spotted ones are quick rinse, normal, cotton, delicate, and heavy-duty.

Load size

This is the most commonly misunderstood factor, which leads to many undesirable washes and even early breakdown of your machine.

DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR WASHER

May it be top-loading or side-loading washers, what your clothes need is space. Space allows for movements which allows your clothes to be cleaned thoroughly.

If your washer has a drying function, it is even more important to have enough space for the machine to effectively toss your clothes while drying.

The maximum drying load is often smaller than the washing load - follow the manufacturer advice to ensure that your machine does not break down prematurely due to overloading.

Imbalance loading

Similar to overloading, having imbalance loading would lead to similar problems.

Load similar-sized laundry whenever possible. A mix of heavy garments such as jeans and lightweight gym wear can often lead to imbalance.

Another common mistake involves using laundry bags. You may think that it is convenient to get one big laundry bag and stuff it with many delicate garments. But this prevents the garments from drying evenly, as they are trapped within the bag.

Instead, use one laundry bag for each delicate garment. This will protect the contents within and ensure that the load is well-balanced throughout the wash cycle.

6. Drying your clothes

Drying is the other important part of doing your laundry. Remember that Singapore’s climate is humid, and it does not help that rain and sun come unexpectedly and switch like Prata-making.

Air drying

Air drying is the traditional method and is eco-friendly as well.

We all love to dry our laundry under the sun for that lovely scent of freshness. However, if you dry it under the sun, your garment will be more prone to fading. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

But if no one is home to look after the laundry, the only option is to hang it indoors.

Remember to hang your clothes using a clothesline or drying rack. Avoid drying them using a hanger directly as the heavy wet garment will get stretched and deformed when dried.

Keep the area well-ventilated to prevent mould and fungus growth. If you really need to leave the premises, leave a little gap in your windows.

Machine drying

If you are using a dryer, choose the appropriate heat setting based on the fabric type - lower heat for delicate items.

Some fabrics will warp and shrink in a dryer. Be extra careful whenever you buy something new. Always read the cleaning labels that come with it.

Allow ample space for your garments to be tossed to facilitate drying. This will also reduce wrinkle formation at the end of the drying cycle.

7. Ironing and Folding

Do not forget that laundry involves the eventual ironing and folding steps.

If you are too lazy or tired after work and decide to throw your freshly washed and dried laundry onto your sofa, then waltz away.

Don’t.

Ironing

Use the correct iron setting for the different fabric types. Delicate fabrics require a lower temperature.

For best results, iron your clothes while they are slightly damp. If you are using a dryer and ironing right after the cycle ends, you can choose the setting to end the drying when the load is semi-dried.

Folding

Make sure that your clothes have dried thoroughly before you fold them.

Lay them flat and slightly straighten them using your hands to remove deep creases before folding them neatly. This helps prevent wrinkles and save space.

Store your clothes in a cool, dry wardrobe to prevent mould and mildew growth.

8. Outsourcing your laundry

If you want to save time, you can use a professional laundry service. There are many different companies to choose from. Before engaging in one, look out for the following:

Reputation

Look for reviews and recommendations online or through word-of-mouth. These are often good indicators of the service providers' reliability.

Whether the company is an ‘old name’ or a newcomer is less important. What is crucial is that the vendor is active and updates its website or social media frequently.

This will often signal that the company is actively improving its service, unlike those that have not been updating for months or even years.

Convenience

Consider the laundry service's location and operating hours. Make sure they can accommodate your requirements.

Some even provide pick-up and delivery services. This can bring about significant convenience. The ability to free up your time for other, more meaningful things in life is often worth paying for.

9. Considerations for Singapore’s climate

Singapore’s tropical climate, coupled with sudden torrential rain, can present unique challenges for your laundry care.

Humidity

As mentioned before, Singapore has exceptionally high humidity compared to the rest of the world.

This helps mould and mildew to thrive, especially on thick fabrics.

Make sure that your laundry area is well-ventilated. Use a dehumidifier if you have to settle for hanging dry clothes in a humid small room due to space constraints.

Avoid leaving damp clothes in the washing machine for extended periods. Time your washes well so that you can get to your cleaned laundry and hang them up as soon as possible.

Frequent washing

As the weather is against us, wash your clothes frequently then.

Getting your garments washed after ever wear helps the fabric to stay clean and free from odours.

Keeping sweat and dirt away will also prolong the life of your garment. Do not worry about premature wearing and tearing: You are in good hands as long as you follow the many tips we have shared and maintain good laundry practices.

Monsoon season

The rain in Singapore comes suddenly, fast, and furious.

It is especially challenging to hang dry your laundry under the sun and virtually impossible for families who have to work during the day.

Consider investing in a dryer or washer-dryer unit. However, some delicates may not be suitable for a dryer. Unfortunately, you may need to hand wash your delicates and hang them to dry in a well-ventilated place.

Before you go

Doing laundry in Singapore has its unique set of challenges as well as advantages.

It is a balancing act between convenience and enhancing your clothes' longevity.

With the right knowledge, tools, and timely access to resources, laundry duties do not always have to be a chore.

Hope that you have learnt something that can make your laundry day better. Happy washing!