At the core of this process are surfactants. These are the active ingredients in detergents that reduce surface tension in water, allowing the cleaning compounds to penetrate fabrics more easily. The surfactants are responsible for breaking the bonds between the stain and the clothing. Lifting dirt away from the fabric and then holding the dirty water in suspension until the rinse cycle begins. The washing machines mechanical action then flushes the dirty water out through the water pipes to the drain system.

How washing detergent works

Understanding how surfactants work helps parents select the right detergents for their family’s laundry needs. Particularly when considering options like eco-friendly or high-efficiency products.

Eco-friendly washing detergents have gained popularity due to their sustainable formulation and reduced environmental impact. These products mostly utilise plant-based surfactants and biodegradable ingredients. The biodegradability means that the compounds break down more easily in the environment than synthetic detergents. For parents concerned about the effects of harsh chemicals on their children’s skin, eco-friendly options provide peace of mind while still delivering effective cleaning power. The science behind these formulations ensures that they can tackle common stains without compromising on safety. It is unfortunate that all fragrance compounds, natural essential oils, and synthetic scents, take a long time to break down in the environment.  Fragrance is only added to a detergent formula at between 2 and 5 percent of the overall formulation.

High Efficiency Washing Detergent

High-efficiency washing detergents are designed for use in modern washing machines that use less water and energy. The formulation of these detergents is optimised to work effectively in low-water conditions.  The washing detergents enables a thorough clean, without excessive sudsing. Parents using high-efficiency machines will find that these detergents are not only effective but also economical.

Distinctive washing powder fits into both of these criteria – needing less heating of the water to achieve a deep down clean. And as  you don’t need to purchase a separate fabric softener or stain remover, there are no fatty lipids going down the drain, (fabric softeners) as part of the wash.

Sodium silicate is a soil substrate stabiliser used in Distinctive washing detergent. It is often referred to as a builder in a detergent but it has important work to do and protects dyes in fabrics as well as facilitating alkalinity and viscosity in the wash. It also aids to prevent dirty re-deposition in the wash. Thus breaking the bonds of stains on fabric. A lot of people who do not understand washing detergents scoff the word builder in a formulation. Believing it as an un-necessary part of the formulation, whereas in truth every ingredient used is essential to the overall way a washing detergent works.  

There are still a lot of myths when it comes to laundry.

Luxury washing detergents offer an indulgent element to the laundry routine, with captivating scents and superior formulations that make the act of doing laundry feel less like a chore and more like a pampering ritual. For parents, this can provide a much-needed respite from the chaos of daily life.  Distinctive Washing powder cleans superiorly well, and doesn’t require any other products making it a minimalistic washing detergent solution in trend with modern life.

Fragrance Experience

But, it is without doubt the luxury fragrance experience that makes the brand stand out. Transforming the mundane chore of laundry. For individuals and families who prioritise both quality and care in their household products. Your clothing and fabrics literally smell as good as a fine fragrance. Much safer for day to day use than spraying your skin from top to toe in expensive scent. And, also more acceptable than being the person in the room who uses too much scent. We all love, close up, clean fragrances. But, if you stood at the other end of a train carriage – you don’t want everyone to be able to sniff you out.

Other Ingredients and Frequently asked Laundry Questions Answered here

Yes you are reading that right, we have created a new washing powder with a perfect scent for cuddling up to called Candlelit Cabin.

A winter warm fragrance throughout the house just adds a perfect finishing touch to a beautiful home.

Now you can have all your clothes and bedding smelling straight from the washing machine.

Candlelit Cabin washing powder is the latest original fragrance by Distinctive Wash. There is no need to add a fabric softener or a stain remover, this is one washing powder that packs all the punches. This will keep your cupboards and counter tops clutter free.

Plus, compared to other washing products there is no methylisothiazolinone in Distinctive’s dry powder. And with no slimy softener compounds left in the detergent drawer, so no risk of mouldy washing. Your washing machine will stay clean and clear.

Distinctive’s enzyme cleaning power means your wash can be set to lower temperatures, which helps to prevent wear and tear on fabrics – giving a spotlessly clean wash.

Distinctive Candlelit Cabin fragranced detergent is a cosy scent

Detergent Formula that doesn’t need a softener or stain remover

Washing with this formula now for well over a decade and a half, Distinctive brand owner Louise says, “Sheets and towels are still beautifully soft. You honestly will not miss adding all that fatty gloop to your washing machine, and you definitely will not miss the problem of mould running through your washing machine drawer and tubes from fabric softener use.”

Distinctive Candlelit Cabin fragranced washing powder – captivates memories and feelings of warmth and cosiness indoors

This fragrance is like coming home to a comforting candlelit cabin in the middle of a deep dark wintery wood. Imagine being surrounded by tall trees and the earthiness of the forest. With top notes of crisp air and frozen rose, apple and soft spices (including clove and nutmeg) with warm leather on a base of amber, cedar wood and moss. It truly is the perfect Winter scent – when it is cold outside. Plus compared to using lots of fragrance diffusers and other products around the house, it is super safe for your pets noses too.

In the summer, whatever clothes you select to wear are likely to be feeling grubby and sticky within just a few hours of wear.  So if you don’t work in a building with air conditioning, or have somewhere to change and shower, what can you do to feel fresh and prevent those nasty armpit sweat stains from ruining your clothes?

Well the first is understanding that isn’t the sweat that causes stains. The culprit is the oxidisation of sweat and ingredients in the deodorant.

Don’t be tempted to apply a roll on, or spray whilst dressed. You’ll end up getting more on the fabric than your skin and mixing it in with existing sweat is a bad idea.  Deodorant should only ever be applied to clean and dry skin and only ever apply just enough, don’t over spray.

To prevent sweat stains, many men swear by wearing a fine t-shirt underneath a shirt no matter what the weather.

This has the effect of absorbing perspiration.

If you’re not wearing a fine t shirt try and find somewhere to have a quick wash, and then you can re-apply deodorant safely.

Washing both skin and clothing frequently – prevents the oxidisation and stains setting into fabric.

There is a huge drive to encourage us to wash less often to reduce energy and water use.

But, if your clothes are soaked in perspiration and you feel in need of a shower then your clothes do too. Feel fresh as a daisy at the end of the day then your clothes might get another wear or two.

This is the same if you live in the City or the Countryside. Your jeans might last longer but your t-shirt won’t.  Your clothes are picking up different types of dirt and dust on the outside, but the inside layer next to your skin is depositing grime too and if you want fabric to stay in good condition, then like your skin it needs washing.

Distinctive washing powder has clever enzymes for superb cleaning results at low temperatures. Plus whichever of our designer fragrances you choose – they all smell amazing as your body temperature heats up, or if you are sitting in the sun. This means the more heat you generate your clothing will smell better be that in the office, gym or social occasion. 

Bucket of cold water

“If you can’t wash sweaty items as soon as you take them off, then it’s a great idea to drop the garments into a bucket of cold water. Many people won’t even own a bucket these days, so a spare sink like in the utility room might be an option too? If you pop sweaty garments in the laundry bin and leave them all week – the heat of the summer will just add to create the dried yellow underarm stain effect.”

If you google how to remove stubborn armpit stains on fabric? You will find lots of people will say bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. But for guaranteed results a couple of spoonfuls of biological detergent like Distinctive added to a cool sink/bucket load left to soak overnight before popping in the machine the next day will work wonders and your home won’t be smelling vinegary in the meantime.”

Don’t wash stained fabric hot

A hot wash is tempting for lifting a stain, but if it doesn’t lift it, the residual stain is then locked in even more than it was before. Washing cooler is best as you can repeat the process if the whole stain doesn’t lift in one go. With the enzymes in our detergent the process of lifting stains is so gentle and you won’t need an additional stain product to wash with.

For the reasoning mentioned above never iron a stain. You will just set it into the fabric.  

Thanks for reading. If you want £5 off a purchase of anything in our store? Quote Tryusout5 in the checkout

Distinctive Wash, has matching fragrance products to their luxury washing powders. It’s the epitome of luxury, to have your shower with our luxury soap and then step into clothes matching the same designer fragrance straight from the wash.  And, what better way of boosting scent where you want it than using a fabric and room spray as you iron, and to deodorise your wardrobe now and again?

A fabric and room spray is much more than a mere air freshener, kept in the bathroom to alleviate nasty smells; it’s a luxury tool for modern households.

1. Eliminating Unwanted Odours:

One of the primary uses of a Fabric and Room Spray is its ability to neutralise unwanted odours effectively. So whether the lingering scent of cooking, musty fabric smells, a stale wardrobe, or pet odours is annoying your, this spray swiftly gets to work, leaving your space smelling fresh and pleasant.

2. Revitalizing Fabrics:

Fabric holds on to odours and some items like cushion covers, curtains and expensive bedspreads can’t easily be washed.

None of us wash curtains more than once a year,  with many of us confessing that they haven’t washed curtains for three or more years. Whilst washing is always best, Distinctive fabric and room spray is totally safe on upholstery, curtains, and carpets leaving everything smelling inviting and clean.  Keep all fragrances away from leather as there are no circumstances where anything scented goes well here. Over time fragrance will cause cracking and crumbling to the leather grain.

3. Enhancing Laundry Freshness:

A quick spray on your shirt or dress can make a significant difference in how you feel and smell throughout the day.

4. Avoiding Spraying Perfume Directly on the skin:

As Distinctive fragrances are more akin to your designer perfume and aftershave, this is a great way to wear scent. Especially if you are normally allergic to fragrances on your skin. We should all wear a little less scent on skin advises Distinctive founder Louise, due to the carcinogenic properties of most fragrances, including natural essential oils. Fragranced clothing is far safer.

5. Promoting Better Sleep:

Our Relaxing fragrance contains more than five essential oils and herbal botanicals, in conjunction with a white bright floral, green stems, violet leaves, moss and musk it is the perfect combination to aid in creating a good night’s sleep. Approved by the British Sleep Council it is a lovely calming fragrance for the whole family to enjoy. A light mist on your pillow or bedding in conjunction with a soothing bath with our matching soap can really help set the scene for better sleep. We prefer topping up our scent spray with tap water for a lighter mist – more akin to a fragrance from Jo Malone or The White Company.

6. Reducing Stress and Anxiety:

Aromatherapy is known for its positive effects on mental well-being. The carefully selected scents in our Relaxing fragranced spray have stress-relieving properties, helping to reduce anxiety levels and create a serene environment within your living space.

7. Elevating Home Ambiance:

The aesthetics of a home play a crucial role in how we perceive our living space. Using the Fabric and Room Spray as an air freshener can elevate the ambiance of any room, making it more inviting for both residents and guests. Just don’t overdo it! Distinctive scent is fairly concentrated and if you like lighter fragrance, simply top your bottle up with water from the tap. It’s my favourite way to scent the home. Watered down I can spray a couple of spritzes of fragrance in each room and the scent will still last for a good few hours.

8. On-the-Go Freshness:

Don’t forget your sprays can go anywhere. We love that a number of men and women like to keep a spray in their car. The compact and portable design of the spray bottle allows for easy carrying. If you’ve just had the car washed and cleaned enjoy a little fragrance by spraying the car mats.

If you haven’t tried a Fabric and Room Spray around your home, I would urge you to  – says Louise of Distinctive Wash. Use our offer code Take5 for £5 off your order.

Word of warning – excessive fragrance isn’t for pets

Our pets are best kept away from fragrances as much as possible. Use of diffusers and plug ins around the home can actually make your pet very sick. This is because their noses are super charged versions of our own. Definitely don’t spray the dogs bed and bedding, that would be too much scent, and our fury friends would get quite sick. So just wash their bedding, blankets and towels with Distinctive washing powder instead, our biological action will remove all stale wet dog odours and leave soft scenting on their items. Have a look at all our products here.

You will see the look of approval from your best friend in the way he turns his nose. Go on try it

Which is best? Let’s get straight to the facts.

Non Bio Detergent

Is a detergent mixture that doesn’t contain any enzyme content. They typically need hotter water and stronger surfactant chemicals to wash well, and contain a blend of ingredients designed to do different things in the wash, such as the addition of optical brighteners and bleaching ingredients to help lift the dirt and stains.

A Bio Detergent

Biological means the detergent contains plant based enzyme content. Enzymes are manufactured in large vats and are added to detergents in very small quantities, as little as 0.1% of the formulation. They typically need the catalyst of both temperature and alkalinity to start work and remain active for the duration of the wash. The enzymes say in-active, in a very safe format as dry powder. In liquids it is also usually temperature that starts the reaction off, so beware to keep your bottle out of direct sunlight. The surfactants and enzyme content lift the substrates from the fabric and hold them in suspension away from he fabric until they are rinsed away. They do not remain active once they go down the drain.

Enzymes target different things.

If you remember from your days at school Protease enzyme works perfectly at lifting protein stains such as food stuffs and bodily grime. Lipase works well on fats.

Contrary to beliefs, Bio detergents work really well with longer slower wash programme settings, which is the way modern machines achieve their top environmental ratings by using much less water for the overall wash and therefore washing for longer so all the fabric has chance to tumble over and spend equal amounts of time in the water and detergent mixture. A modern machine really does fill with very little water compared to 10 years or more ago.

It is a huge misconception that a short wash programme is more cost effective if your machine is modern – long and slow settings use far less water and energy overall.

So do you think non-bios are better for the environment ?

No this is definitely not a fact. With enzyme content the formula typically uses less harmful chemicals that break down faster in the natural environment. The enzyme content is tough enough to lift the stains but is only active for the duration of the wash. Distinctive washing powder is designed for superior rinsing and cleaning, lifting everything that shouldn’t be on the fabric and allowing it to rinse away.

So be careful reading forum posts as there is so much misinformation out there.

Prior to working on a laundry brand, over two decades ago, I honestly believed a non-bio was best for sensitive skin or babies clothes . But that’s because our Mums had no access to modern enzyme formulas, they relied on washing at extreme heat to clean clothing.

Expert Opinion

Experts agree that a biological detergent can be just as good if not better for sensitive skin, there are lots of scientific and medical papers and journals to prove this. Enzymes without a doubt leave fewer chemical residues on the fabric than a non-bio. Sensitive skins, really are no more likely to react to a bio. In the UK in 2015, the National Health Service revisited the advice provided to mothers for washing newborn clothing and nappies, because of the overwhelming scientific evidence. They no longer advise parents to wash nappies and babies clothing with a non-bio, which I think is a great result as only a bio will remove urine and faeces properly from fabric.

If you are washing for older people, anyone that frequents hospital, or works with animals please consider a bio. It really will lift all traces of grime.

It is the combination of ingredients in the detergent that determine the likelihood of reactions for people with sensitive skin. Often the preservative content in a liquid or sheet detergent, or preservatives and conditioning ingredients in a fabric softener, is the main culprit. Much more likely to cause a reaction to someone’s skin.

I would advise against any product with bleaching agents other than percarbonates. Definitely stay clear of optical brighteners, (the uv dyes that make whites look brighter) and avoid preservatives like methylisothiazolinone. Ditch the fabric softener too, which is added in the wash via the last rinse compartment and never truly has the opportunity to be properly washed out of clothing.

Why we should all avoid softeners – professional laundries and people with quality clothing avoid them.

Eerybody is looking for clever ways to save time, energy and money.

Laundry might not be the obvious place where you can achieve big savings, but let’s look at how people are achieving this every day with their laundry.

We are not suggesting you stop washing your underwear daily or your shirts and t-shirts, if it’s been a hot sticky day. But with garments that can be kept out of the laundry bin for a few wears longer you can stay fresher and feel more confident by using a fabric and room fragrance. Boosting scent on fabric and using something to deodorise items that don’t need washing daily saves time and money on laundry runs. Plus, your clothing will get less wear and tear so hopefully last longer too.

In today’s modern culture we wash our clothes frequently,

If like me you have been letting your children put their clothes into the laundry bin, when they have only been worn once. This is an opportunity to re-educate them, saving on washing loads. School shirts are likely to need washing daily if you have a sweaty teen but their trousers might last 3 or even 5 days, if they don’t get visibly stained.

Investing time in taking good care of your laundry, ensures that your wardrobe remains timeless and relevant to today’s ever-changing fashions. Caring for the things you own makes them last longer.  Only buy items that will create looks that will never go out of style.  The sustainable fashion trend. And, care for clothing properly and repair, or re-purpose, when garments show signs of wear.

Air dry your washing – don’t use a tumble drier

This makes a huge difference to sustainability and going green, as drying your clothes in the tumble drier uses more electricity than most other appliances. So if you air-dry indoors or outdoor you are instantly reducing your energy usage for laundry.  Plus, have you noticed how often you get slight shrinkage when you tumble? Your clothes will really thank you for being air-dried.

If you want to keep your garments looking and smelling their best, here are some more simple tips.

• First, use the right temperature setting when washing. Too much heat will cause colours to fade. So if you’re washing bright colours or delicate items, opt for a cold/ luke warm cycle instead.
• Second, turn clothing inside out. Doing so will help protect exposed fabrics from harsh detergent particles, which could otherwise cause fading or more damage. You can also use a mesh bag if you opt to wash delicate items like tights in with the normal dark load it will save you from a tangled mess and help keep those delicates snag free.
• Thirdly, always close anything that has velcro, as it too is a nightmare for attracting and snagging other loose garments in the wash.
• Consider using laundry starch before ironing. It keeps shirts and sheets crisper and cleaner.
• Finally double check the label. You might think you know what the fabric is made of and which wash programme is best, but it’s always wise to make sure.

Follow these simple tips, and your clothes will be sure to stay fresh and vibrant for years to come.

It really pays to take the time and effort necessary with laundry.

Little changes to how you launder fabrics, can go a long way towards helping to protect and maintain garments. From being mindful of water temperatures, to air drying, plus utilising modern laundering technologies. So, when it comes to keeping clothes fresh and lasting longer, don’t forget about the power of proper laundering care. Air drying is most definitely greener and also more gentle for fabric too.

Plus, if you halve your laundry loads each week, just think about all that extra time you will be gaining from less washing, drying, folding and ironing.

It might even make way for a new hobby or just simple downtime with Netflix.

Distinctive recommends:-

Boosting scent in between laundering with fabric and ironing sprays.

Particularly effective around the home on fabric that isn’t washed so often. To get 10% off any purchase of fabric and ironing refresh spray or Distinctive fragranced washing powder, please use offer code friend10.

Isn’t that refreshing – Distinctive Wash – the laundry brand that wants you to wash a little less!

Holiday presents. Woman holding warm sweaters with Christmas pattern

But no matter whether your jumper is made from wool, or man-made fibres, never be tempted to tumble dry.

Before washing any Christmas jumper, make sure you’ve removed the battery and lights, if you opted for one of these new fancy flashing ones. If a jumper has lots of pom pots or sequins then it also would be a good idea to wash in a net laundry bag.

Check the garment label

Your first port of call is to check the garment label for the fabric composition and wash instructions. But bear in mind, if it says hand wash only, modern machines have both hand wash and delicate programme settings.

100% wool can be washed in the washing machine these days, advises Louise from Distinctive Wash Ltd. Washing machines have special settings for wool and delicate laundry. The programme ensures very low levels of tumbling/agitation and washes at a low temperature suitable for the garment.  Basically, the overall wash will be very similar to simply soaking the woollen jumper in a sink or bowl, and turning it over by hand. So you really don’t need to stand at the kitchen sink, refilling and emptying out dirty water.

The washing machine is only going to tumble every once in a while at a slow speed. As long as you only wash a few items of similar material together, the programme will ensure that all garments are equally wetted in water and detergent and washed through well. Modern Washing machines are capable of very slow spin speeds or the cycle ending with a drain only function which is not going to affect the garment any more than wringing it out by hand.

Don’t be tempted to overload the washing machine with additional clothing. This is one wash than needs plenty of space. You don’t want loose tights or gentleman’s shirt sleeves getting tangled up with your nice woollen jumpers. Nor do you want loose wool fibres all over the other garments.

Christmas jumpers can be made from a variety of materials, and some are more washable than others. Wash them right and your Christmas jumper should last longer than it is likely to fit, or be in fashion.

Less is more when it comes to Cashmere and 100% wool

You can wear a jumper much longer than a shirt or a t-shirt, and natural fibres last longer than the modern synthetics. They don’t want to be washed too frequently. If you wear a shirt or a t-shirt underneath, you might get around 8 to 10 wears before needing to wash the Christmas jumper. Just keep hanging it back up after wearing. Wool is great at regulating body temperature, so you are unlikely to sweat so much that the armpit area smells.

If you prefer to wash cashmere by hand, the water wants to be cooler to the touch, than you would hand wash other garments. If you think of the water being slightly on the cool side of a baby’s bath, then you have it about right. Whatever detergent you use, please dose sparingly. Detergents to avoid are those containing bleaching agents or whiteners.  A biological detergent like Distinctive is fine if used sparingly (we suggest a teaspoonful per jumper) and will remove more sweat and grime at low temperatures if left to soak in a sink, than a non-bio will.

Female hands washing multicolored clothes in basin, top view

Simply leave to soak for an hour, while you do other things, and then squeeze out gently before running a sink full of rinsing water.

Leave flat to dry.

When you finally squeeze out the water or you’ve pulled the jumpers out of the washing machine, you can remove even more water still ,by pressing between two clean towels and patting down. Then you need a flat space to dry it on. Only put on a hanger for the last hour or so of air drying.

Don’t Iron

Hopefully, if you’ve dried it carefully you won’t need to use an iron at all. Wool fibres melt and contract with heat.

Heat and agitation in a machine are the worst culprits for spoiling wool or cashmere products.

Acrylic mix 

Much more hardy a composition. If the balance of wool to acrylic is half and half or greater, these jumpers look great and will definitely wash in the washing machine on a wool /handwash setting.  Use half the detergent you normally would for the same size load. Remember to dry flat and only hang straight to dry if it’s a very fine light weight knit. Just make sure you don’t wash any hotter than hand-wash temperature of 30/40 degrees. The fibres in these fabrics are super hard wearing and should be colour fast too. You can even wash with other garments unless the item is particularly fluffy and at risk of shedding.

Also washes well in the machine even if it says not, just remember the wool programme and temp of just 20/30 degrees.

Cotton/Cotton mixes

Even in winter there are a fair few Cotton mixes about, and they machine wash brilliantly too. You can even get away with slightly warmer water and dosing the load as you would all your other garments. Just beware of any detergents containing whiteners, (optical brighteners) or bleach. A fine cotton knit black jumper will look horrendous under UV lighting, if it’s been in contact with a detergent containing optical brighteners, plus you run the risk of faded patches appearing.

If you know someone who might like to try Distinctive, place an order for yourself and we will pop in a FREE mini that you can pass on to them. A snuggly jumper should definitely smell as good as it looks, when you are getting or giving those all-important Christmas hugs. Plus try our latest Winter Fragrance with £5 off use code tryusout5 in the checkout. Candlelit Cabin is the perfect scent for snuggly jumpers with notes of crisp air and frozen rose, apple and soft spices including nutmeg and clove, on a base of warm leather and woods – it’s absolutely lush.

Did you know that Christmas Jumper Day is a relatively recent calendar event. We like to think of it as giving Children a hug, as it was launched in 2012 by Save the Children, as a way of raising money. This year’s event on the 8th of December promises to be bigger than ever. The Charity requests that in offices around the country, each person donates £2, with the UK government agreeing to match that, by donating an additional £2 for every person participating.

So wow… 12 million Christmas jumpers were sold in the UK alone in 2019, we’ve estimated that must be a retail value in excess of 46 million pounds. Big business for retailers.

]]> 24621 https://distinctivewash.co.uk/distinctive-elegance-less-is-more/ Sat, 29 Jan 2022 14:21:23 +0000 https://distinctivewash.co.uk/distinctive-elegance-less-is-more/ Distinctive elegance – Less is more when it comes to an elegant home

Most of us have too many ornaments and accessories, bottles in the bathroom, and a gluttony of laundry products in the utility. De-cluttering and cutting right back on visible items, makes a huge difference to the overall feeling in your home?

Give it a try and sweep round the bathroom first, so that there is only one soap, one shampoo, and one conditioner visible. Nothing says luxury more than clean white spaces and clear surfaces.

Get rid of nick knacks, remove un-necessary towels, relegate cleaning cloths and grotty loo brushes to a cupboard.

You can clean the whole house, using 1 cream cleaner for ceramics, a window spray to polish the mirrors and a general polish or surface cleaner for all the surfaces (reserving the bottle of bleach for just a splash round and wiping over hinges and surfaces of the toilet seat or cleaning over the sinks. If you want to be posh then a toilet disc popped in the cistern to keep the water and toilet bowl super clean. That is only 3 bottles of product to store somewhere and you could store them in the kitchen or utility if need be.  If used correctly the three bottles should last a few months.

The end result looks amazing.

Now to Laundry

Gather up all the cleaning cloths and leave somewhere safe until there are enough for a hot wash! Never be tempted to wash cleaning cloths with your regular laundry as you’ll not only run the risk of garnering bleach spots on your clothing, but the transference of cleaning product smell is not the best fragrance for your clothes.

With any cleaning task it is useful to keep in mind that the laws of transference apply, dirt has to go from one place to another! So when ready, wash at 60 or 95 degrees. This is perfect for cleaning cloths and dish cloths!

An aside note, remember the law of transference for clothing too, so don’t wash muddy items, or the dogs blankets with other cleaner clothes. And clean out the inside of the machine and the drain hose after washing particularly dirty items. Click the blue link to watch our easy video.

It’s just common sense when you think about it and double dosing your detergent just won’t make things cleaner. Less is more for laundry too. Distinctive’s formula is an all in one solution that not only removes the tough stuff at low temperatures, but imparts really unique fragrances to the fabric. Want more information? Then please have a read here

To achieve Distinctive elegance in your home and claim £5 off Distinctive washing powder use code Tryusout5 in the checkout

Follow these tips to re-design your laundry room into a functional space that showcases your design style.

Build around the essentials

Whether you’re starting from scratch or redesigning an existing laundry room, your design begins around those must-have items in the space. Your washing machine will be the focal point of the room. If the hot and cold water feeds and drain position is already in place, the layout of your room is at least started for you. 

Shopping for new appliances?

It is a great chance to consider energy-efficient options that will help save costs over the long run. Appliances come on leaps and bounds in five years so keep an eye out for offers on premium models. It is worthwhile having a good think about whether you want an integrated, (hidden behind a door) appliance, or a free standing machine.

Plus you’ll need to think about the size of the machine you need too, these days domestic front load machines can be suitable from 5kg up to 12kg dry weight loads. The 12kg models come in really handy if you have double or king duvets to wash, or want to wash curtains at home.

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Once you have your washer in place, consider other essential pieces in this space. A sink is a convenient addition to a laundry room, providing a spot for pre-washing or leaving hand wash/delicate washing items to soak clean. Finally, with your appliances and sink in place, consider where you want to store your cleaning supplies.

Distinctive makes doing laundering efficient with just the one product but you might have a favourite whitener or additional wool wash product to store, plus the usual polish and spray surface cleaner, some bleach and perhaps a carpet cleaning spray for anyone with pets at home.

Create functional workspaces

With the essential elements of your laundry room in place, you now want to focus on designing a workspace that makes washing, drying, and folding easier. To begin your redesign, consider dividing your space into separate workspaces for separate tasks. While your laundry room should be designed around your unique needs, these potential workspaces can serve as inspiration as you create a customised laundry room.

• Hanging and drying space – Keep delicate items in good condition by hanging them to dry. This task is easier to do if you have a designated area for clothes drying. A wall-mounted drying rack is a space-saving feature that ensures you always have a spot to hang clothes to dry. Consider a retractable drying rack that you can pull out when you need it and push it flush against the wall when you don’t. We use one and its’ great. A load can be hung out on the evening and quickly put away at breakfast time.

• Ironing station – Ironing is easier if your ironing board is accessible. You might not want to leave an ironing board set up all of the time, you can keep it within reach by mounting it to an open wall. If your laundry room is small, consider a magnetic ironing pad that attaches to the top of your washing machine for space-saving, board-free ironing. Personally, I like to iron in front of the tv, but it is great to keep the iron in the laundry room.
• Baskets – where will you keep your basket of wet washing prior to hanging and again after it is dried if you can’t iron straight away?

• Folding area – A countertop or large table can serve as a convenient spot to fold your freshly laundered clothes. If you’re renovating your laundry room, invest in a counter and cabinets for storage and folding space.

• Sorting area – Reserve space for sorting your clothes before washing them. Invest in a multi-basket laundry basket, which gives you spaces for colours, whites, delicates, and hand-wash-only items, these baskets will save you time with laundry.

Design with organization in mind

Storage is an essential element of any well-designed laundry room. As you create your new space, focus on using a variety of organizational features to clear out clutter, and make laundry easier.

• Laundry bins – Laundry bins make sorting your laundry simple. Rather than tackling the sorting when it’s time to run a load, place dirty laundry into designated bins when you bring it to the laundry room. Bins for whites, colours, and delicate clothes ensure that everything is laundered properly.
• Laundry baskets – Laundry baskets are another must-have in your new space. They serve multiple functions when you’re doing laundry. Use them to sort clothes, if you don’t have a multicompartment laundry bin. Fill your baskets with freshly dried clothes in preparation for folding. You can also use the baskets to transport folded clothes to bedrooms and closets.
• Open shelving – When it comes to laundry room organization, the more shelves, the better. Consider mounting shelves above the washer and dryer, if you have room, or on an open wall. Use these shelves to store cleaning products, detergents, dryer sheets, and other commonly used items.
• Cabinets and drawers – Cabinets and drawers maximize laundry room organization. Concealed storage serves as a convenient spot to keep sewing accessories, irons, cleaners, and other products and tools stored but accessible. Consider adding plastic bins to the drawers and cabinets to keep items organized.

Go green 

Create an eco-friendly laundry room by choosing an energy-efficient washing machine and dryer that deliver significant savings over the long run. Follow these tips if you’re your updated laundry room an environmentally friendly space.

Do laundry thoughtfully – While it might be tempting to run a load just to wash a few pieces, doing so can waste water and energy. Instead, run full loads to reduce your home’s water and energy consumption.

If you need a dryer – only use when necessary. Hanging your clothes to dry requires less energy, and keeps them looking better longer. It keeps Distinctive scent in place in fabric for longer too.

Wash with cooler water – Cut your energy usage in half by washing clothes at 30/40 degrees.

If you like power detergent consider our Bulk supplies of detergent in a Kraft paper sack with a Glass Kilner Jar. It’s not only an eco formula but delivered in a waste free bulk pack solution too. The inner liner works perfectly in the waste bin afterwards and the kraft paper can be used to collect vegetable or even garden waste. Whatever type of detergent you want to use definitely look for ecological, there are a variety of products available and the waste water containing the surfactants and dirt can go safely back to the waterways.

Add decorative touches

With your appliances and storage in place, you can now focus on the decorative elements of your laundry room. Consider the following factors as you create a space that speaks to your personal style.

• Design style – Envision your updated laundry room, focusing on your preferred design style. You can create a farmhouse-inspired space by choosing neutral tones, rustic elements, and plenty of greenery. Or, create a contemporary space filled with clean lines, sleek metallic finishes, and simple decor. Go bold and create a vibrant space filled with colour and pattern to showcase your personality. Look for inspiration photos on the Internet or in magazines, and let these photos guide your design decisions.
• Colour – Wall colour is the first decorative element that can define your style. Consider the size of the space when choosing a wall colour. If your laundry room is small and cozy, a lighter colour can help make it feel larger. Consider adding intrigue to the walls by painting an accent wall a complementary colour or pattern or even wallpapering a wall to serve as a focal point in your space.
• Vinyl and wall frames – Fill empty walls with vinyl and wall frames that enhance your space. Your options are limitless when choosing what to showcase in a frame. Laundry-inspired phrases, personal photos, abstract art, or images of your favourite landscapes can adorn your walls. Consider your wall colour and colour scheme when choosing art.
• Plants – Fill open shelving or the corner of your counter with plants, real or faux, to add a touch of greenery to your space. Potted plants transcend design styles, incorporating effortlessly into any laundry room design.
• Lighting – Replace builder-grade overhead lighting with a more stylish fixture. Flush-mount lighting is probably the most functional fixture in a laundry room, but it doesn’t have to be dull.
• Curtains – If you do have a window in your space, add a finishing touch with curtains or blinds.

Create a space just for you 

While your laundry room is certainly focused on function, that doesn’t mean it must be devoid of a space for you, too. After all, laundry day won’t be so bad if you can relax in your space while you wait for your clothes to dry. Decorative accents will carry your home’s unique style into this space, infusing your personality into the room.

We’d love to see your laundry/utility rooms from around the world send us pictures to any of our social medial channels. Look for Distinctivewash or #beDistinctive – we will reward you with 50% off one of our fabric and room fragrance sprays for a brilliant finishing touch to laundry.

Huge thanks to Lorena Romo for contributing to this piece for us. She is a talented writer responsible for content marketing at Porch.com.