Dealing with dirt

If you're faced with a challenging wash – like a machine load of muddy football jerseys – try these tips:

• Increasing the dose above the recommended level will get really dirty clothes cleaner but it won’t make much difference in a normal load. There’s a point at which adding more detergent produces no improvement: you’re simply discharging more chemicals into the environment and wasting your money. With concentrated 2X detergents, an extra teaspoon adds several cents to the cost of a wash. 
• A warmer wash could help when something’s really grubby … but check the garment’s care label first. Higher temperatures soften dirt and oily stains, making it easier for the mechanical action of the washing machine to remove them. But cold washes are just fine for regular washing and they save on power bills.
• You can improve the results of a normal wash by pre-soaking clothes. This helps loosen dirt so it can be removed more easily. Rubbing a little detergent into especially soiled spots will also help. Again, check the care label first.