On this week’s episode, Diana chats with laundry expert and author Melissa Dilkes Pateras all about laundry myths, best practices, and so much more. 

You can find her on TikTok here: Laundrytok | Melissa Pateras (@melissadilkespateras) Official | TikTok

You can find her new book here: A Dirty Guide to a Clean Home: Housekeeping Hacks You Can't Live Without

In this episode, we cover:

Homemade laundry detergent is not effective and can damage your washing machine. The guest explained that commercial detergents are specifically formulated for high-efficiency machines and properly cleaning clothes. Homemade detergents often do not clean well and leave residue on clothes. As the host said, “Homemade laundry detergent is often not effective and can leave residue on your clothes. It's best to stick with commercial detergents that are specifically formulated for high-efficiency machines.”

1. Look for natural, eco-friendly detergent options if you want to avoid harsh chemicals. Many major brands like Tide and Persil offer fragrance-free, dye-free options that work well. Check the ingredients to find simple, natural options.
   
   
2. For most stains, pretreat with liquid laundry detergent and let it sit before washing. Dish soap like Dawn also works great for grease and oil stains. Hydrogen peroxide is excellent for whitening and brightening stains on white clothes. These methods avoid the need for most commercial stain removers. As the host recommended, “For most stains, pretreat with liquid laundry detergent and let it sit before washing. Dish soap like Dawn also works great for grease and oil stains.”
   
   
3. Hot water is not necessary for most loads and can fade and damage clothes. Use cold water for the majority of loads to prolong the life of your clothes. Hot water is only needed for whites and when using oxygen bleach. According to the host, “Hot water is not necessary for most loads and can fade and damage clothes. Use cold water for the majority of loads to prolong the life of your clothes.”
   
   
4. Disinfecting and sanitizing clothing is usually unnecessary and the products are often used incorrectly. Only disinfect when someone in the household is ill. Be sure to follow the directions carefully regarding water temperature, sit time, and rinsing. For general cleaning, hot water and detergent are sufficient. As the host explained, “Disinfecting and sanitizing clothing is usually unnecessary and the products are often used incorrectly. Only disinfect when someone in the household is ill.”

What can you expect from this podcast and future episodes?

• 15-20 minute episodes to help you tackle your to-do list
• How to declutter in an effective and efficient way
• Guest interviews
• Deep dives on specific topics

Find Diana Rene on social media:
Instagram: @the.decluttered.mom
Facebook: @the.decluttered.mom
Pinterest: @DianaRene

Are you ready to toss things, but don't know where to start? Grab my list of 15 things so you can Declutter Without Thinking! And find all of my free resources here.