In the Laundry Room

Let us start with getting your CLOTHES CLEAN. 

---Washing Machines--- 

Most American washers will have a knob or button that you turn to change the water temperature (how hot or cold the water is).  It is best to just put it on COLD/COLD for most things.

Now, Look at the other button.  It is for what kind of clothes you want to wash.  There are many different styles/types of washers, so these could look different.  You will be ok on most machines if you just pick NORMAL.  

On the picture below, there is an extra button for EXTRA RINSE.  On some washers, there is a knob that is for EXTRA RINSE.  I use mine on every load.  It runs the water one extra time make sure all the soap comes out of your laundry.  Some people only use this on really dirty clothes.

This washer has many buttons.  You can add fabric softeners (an extra liquid to make your clothes softer), there is a button for that.  I do not use softeners, it is a personal preference or choice.  

Also...each washer is different on how to START the washer. On some, you just push or pull the knob, but on some you have to turn the knob.

In the picture above, you have to push in the button on the bottom right corner to start the washer.  Once it is started, this one also locks!  So, if you found some more laundry to add, you must push the button again for it to unlock before you can add the other clothes.

I have personally never owned a washer with a clear front door (with a window).  I know that they lock and should not leak.  I would think that they will work about the same way.

---Laundry Detergent (soap)---

There are so many different brands, smells and concentrates of detergent/soap.  They are all about the same.  I generally use Tide, but it is personal preference or choice.

Usually the cheapest kind is lower quality, but the middle price range is okay.  If there is a "store brand" (like GREAT VALUE at Walmart), it is usually the same quality as the main brands.  You can save money buying store brand.

You will use the lid to measure the soap.  They are all different sizes, so be sure to use the one that came with your bottle of detergent.  The size of the lid matches how strong the soap is!

Do NOT just fill the cap all the way up!  Most of the caps will have marks inside to help you know how much to use.  But, you can also just make your own marks for small, medium, large and extra large loads.

You can also get soap that is already measured.  They come in these "pods".  I have never used them and do not know how you would change the amount of soap for all size loads of laundry.

Last entry for clothes detergent/soap.  You can also get a soap for clothes that is in POWDER form.  I do not use this type.  Sometimes it doesn't mix well and leaves soap on your clothes.  They usually all come with their own measuring scoop.

Oh, one last thing before we move on to the dryer.  In America, our "red" colored clothes and blue jeans seem to fade (lose some color) for the first few washes.  You should wash them in your sink until the water does not turn colors. Then, you can start washing them with your other clothes in the machine.  IF you do not know if they are going to fade... fill your kitchen sink with clean cool water, put the item in and see if the water changes colors.  If it changes, do not put it in with the other clothes yet.  Wash it BY HAND.

---Dryer---

First of all, I do not dry all my clothes.  I would rather just hang them up to dry, they seem to last longer.  I usually dry my underwear, sleeping clothes, towels, and small things.  It also saves on my electric bill.  So...

Dryers are basically all the same.  There is a button to set the kind of clothes.  Permanent Press is for your top clothes (pants, shirts, jeans, dresses).  Cotton or Normal is for the underwear and towels.  Delicate is for your special items (like a lacy dress or your bras).  I use the NORMAL the most. The little numbers around the knob tell you how long it will run for (the MINUTES).  On most dryers, you just push in the knob to start it.

LINT TRAP in the DRYER

A lint trapper is in your dryer.  It is made to collect the loose threads that come off in the dryer.  There are two different places that the lint trap might be.  The lint trapper will be very full the first few times you wash new towels and fluffy things. It can be in the the back corner on top or inside the door.  Please do not let yours get this full before you empty it! You should probably check your lint trap every time you use your dryer to be safe.  You just pull it out, take your hand and roll it all out, and put it into the trash.  Then, just slide the trap back into place.  If the lint trapper is too full, the clothes will not dry quickly.  You will waste a lot of time and electricity trying to dry some clothes.

Some dryers will make noise (like a buzz) when they are finished.  My new one does not, so I just set the timer on the microwave when I put clothes in.  Sometimes, when drying a large load of towels, I have to empty the lint trap in the middle of drying them.

Well, I hope that this helps you with getting your laundry clean and dry.  I know that it must be a challenge coming to a different country and adapt to our ways.

Please feel free to ask any questions related to the topic of the LAUNDRY ROOM or to post suggestions for what we can explain next.  We will try to update the main post often if we can think of anything else.