068: Laundry 101 with Melissa Dilkes Pateras
11/14/23 • 35 min
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.”
- 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.
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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 for a peaceful and clutter-free home? Watch my FREE training video “Clutter Free Home” to learn how it’s possible! And find all of my resources here.
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.”
- 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.
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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 for a peaceful and clutter-free home? Watch my FREE training video “Clutter Free Home” to learn how it’s possible! And find all of my resources here.
Previous Episode
067: Phone Addiction?
Have you ever found yourself stuck on your phone or social media, wondering where the time went? Same! Having constant access to a device that can give us multiple dopamine hits throughout the day makes it difficult to put down. When we want to spend time doing something else but struggle to change, there are tools we can use to help us.
In this episode, Diana shares an app that has been a game-changer in limiting her daily phone and social media use.
We’ll also discuss:
- The Opal app can be found here (non-affiliate): https://www.opal.so/
- Tools Diana has tried in the past to curb her social media usage.
- Diana’s reasoning for block scheduling her non-social media time.
- How much have Diana’s phone pickups dropped since using this app?
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 for a peaceful and clutter-free home? Watch my FREE training video “Clutter Free Home” to learn how it’s possible! And find all of my resources here.
Next Episode
069: This One Simple Thing Will De-stress Your Holidays
The holidays can often feel like a hassle instead of a celebration. Are you overwhelmed with all the holiday decorations, gifts, and traditions that no longer serve your family? I've been there! But I found a way to simplify and declutter my Christmas experience, and I'm here to share it with you!
If you'd like to see an example of Diana's holiday planner, check out this reel! How to Simplify the Holidays: Part 1
In this episode, Diana shares her go-to holiday planner, which saves time and simplifies the holiday season.
We’ll also discuss:
- Some business growing pains.
- The sections that are included in the holiday planner.
- How to create the planner so you have it for future years.
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 for a peaceful and clutter-free home? Watch my FREE training video “Clutter Free Home” to learn how it’s possible! And find all of my resources here.
The Decluttered Mom Podcast - 068: Laundry 101 with Melissa Dilkes Pateras
Transcript
You're listening to the decluttered mom podcast , A podcast built specifically for busy moms by a busy mom . I'm your host , Diana Renee , and in 2017 , I had my second daughter and it felt like I was literally drowning in my home Okay , not literally , but I felt like I couldn't breathe with all of the stuff surrounding me . Over the next 10 months , I got rid of approximately
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