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Are our washers lying? Why the minutes on the washing machine are longer than actual minutes.

"You're telling me two minutes passed on the washer in six minutes?"

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Why washing machine minutes are longer than actual minutes

Okay, admittedly this is something that is confidently placed into the "first world problems" category, but it's a problem nonetheless. One that can be quite annoying for someone in a rush or who has taken a peek at the time illuminated on the washing machine. For those with a more modern washing machine or those of whom that utilize the laundromat, once the machine is loaded up and started, it tells you how long it will be before the washing is done.

Actually, no, it doesn't. It's an illusion designed by the makers of washing machines to crush the hope of all those who dare to machine wash their clothing. Okay, well that might be a little intense. One person frustrated with the lies her washing machine told her decided to inquire and the laundry queen herself Melissa Pateras answered. Turns out there's no conspiracy and we are not all collectively losing our minds.

laundry; washer time; laundry timer; why washers take long; quick wash cycle; overstuffing washer; proper way to load washerMusic Video Girl GIF by Josie DunneGiphy

Phew! Although it can feel like washing machines use arbitrarily selected numbers to display as time left on the load being washed, there's actually a very logical reason for this. The answer isn't that the machines count minutes differently or that the numbers aren't minutes at all. The reason seems to be fairly simple–human error. According to Pateras, we are overstuffing the washing machines which causes them to recalculate how much time it will take to wash a load of laundry.

"The time you see when you shut the door and select a cycle is just an estimate. A hopeful naive guess. It's basically sizing up the load and saying, 'Hang on, we're going to be here a while.' Most newer washing machines use load sensing to determine the size of the load and based on that the machine will adjust water level and cycle time. The initial estimated time is based on an average load, but if what you put in is heavier or dirtier, it may add longer agitation or rinsing or spin times to ensure that the load is properly cleaned so that you don't need to rewash the load over and over again," she says.

@melissadilkespateras Washing machine time #laundrytok #cleantok #washingmachine @Preslie Stewart ♬ original sound - Laundrytok | Melissa Pateras

So maybe the minutes aren't real minutes. They're guesstimates that just get longer depending on how many clothes you stuff in the washing machine—but that's not the only reason the minutes keep getting extended. The washers also sense soil level, so if something is extra dirty, it takes longer to clean. The type of laundry soap also matters according to the laundry guru.

"If you use the wrong detergent for your machine or too much detergent or softener, that can create suds which will require adjustments to the rinse and spin cycle times. More detergent doesn't mean more clean, it means more time to rinse it out," Pateras reveals.

laundry; washer time; laundry timer; why washers take long; quick wash cycle; overstuffing washer; proper way to load washerWhy washing machine minutes are longer than actual minutesPhoto credit: Canva

As for the "quick wash" setting that doesn't feel so quick thanks to those fictitious minutes...yeah, probably overloading the washer there too.

"This is a great example. You washed a load on quick wash and this load is for like one to three lightly soiled items. It's more of a refresh cycle. So if you are trying to wash a regular load using the quick wash, it's definitely going to increase the time. Another reason is over stuffing the machine. I have watched many of you jamming clothes into the drum like you are packing a suitcase five minutes before a trip around the world," laments Pateras.

laundry; washer time; laundry timer; why washers take long; quick wash cycle; overstuffing washer; proper way to load washerWhy washing machine minutes are longer than actual minutesPhoto credit: Canva

To make sure your washer gets as close to the estimated time displayed as possible, the laundry educator says not to fill the drum beyond 3/4 or 75%. She explains that everything, including the water and detergent, need space to move freely throughout the wash cycle. Pateras wraps it up by telling people to choose the right cycle, not to overload the machine, or and use too much detergent—and the washer will work as designed.

Pateras ends the video by saying, "Your washer isn't trying to gaslight you, it's just trying to survive your laundry habits."

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Got yellow armpit stains or ring around the collar? Here's a trick to make them look new.

Get rid of those embarrassing stains without tossing the shirt.

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This hack promises to get rid of yellow armpit stains

There's nothing quite like getting a new shirt for a job interview and sweating straight through it. Even if you're not nervous, it's not uncommon to sweat through your shirt leaving perfect outlines of your armpits on the outside of the fabric. But if you're required to wear a collared shirt on a fairly frequent basis, you know how annoying armpit stains and ring around the collar can be.

You wash and scrub, pulling out all the tips and tricks you can think of the get the stubborn stains out but they only lightly fade. The armpits are still clearly yellow with a faint smell of B.O. while the dark ring around the collar makes you question your shower habits. It can feel like an impossible thing to rid your shirts of but it can be done, no dry cleaner needed.

Everyone's favorite "Laundry Queen," Melissa Pateras has a really easy trick for getting those stubborn areas clean. The best thing about her hack is that it involves products that you likely already have in your house.

gif of David Beckham sweatingDavid Beckham Sweat GIF by First We FeastGiphy

After one of her followers reached out asking about getting rid of armpit stains in shirts that also held on to unpleasant odor, Pateras had a quick solution. Instead of just telling the user what to do, she demonstrates the process step-by-step. She pulls out a white button up shirt that is lightly stained around the collar and in the armpit region, laying it on a white towel.

"Then you're going to completely cover the stains with some hydrogen peroxide, making sure that you're applying it straight from the bottle because it's light sensitive. That's why the bottle's brown because if it's exposed to light, it'll be ineffective," Pateras explains.

gif of Maytag manSma Sexiest Man Alive GIF by MaytagGiphy

In the video she demonstrates on a white shirt, but according to Clotheslyne, hydrogen peroxide can be used on colored clothes as well. To be safe, though, try adding it to an inconspicuous area first to check for discoloration. If it doesn't cause that piece of fabric to become discolored then you can proceed to with use.

Hydrogen peroxide is not the end of the hack for Pateras; the second step is pulling out the Dawn dish soap. "Once you've applied the Dawn to the stain, you're just going to take your finger and very gently rub it in. Once you've done that you're just going to get some baking soda and sprinkle it on, making sure to cover it completely. Once the stain is completely covered, get a brush. It doesn't matter what brush you use, you can even use a toothbrush for this but I like a power brush cause it's a lot less work," Pateras says.


@melissadilkespateras Replying to @👩🏽Daniela & Annsleigh🧑🏽 #laundrytok #cleantok #stainremover ♬ original sound - Laundrytok | Melissa Pateras

Again, if the item is not white it's best to test all steps in a small inconspicuous area first. Nobody wants white armpits on a blue shirt, and since all materials are not made at the same quality, it's probably best to do a test every time you're trying it on a different item of clothing.

After using the brush to gently scrub the stains, Pateras advises to allow it to sit for five minutes before adding more peroxide and scrubbing once more. The treated item sits for anywhere from an hour to overnight before you toss it into the washing machine like normal. An eager viewer gave the trick a try and excitedly reported back with a shirt that looks like it was recently purchased.


@natmanzoc stitch with @Laundrytok | Melissa Pateras who is DOING THE LORD'S WORK #fashionhacks #laundrytok #thrifted #whiteshirt #diy #diyfashion ♬ original sound - nat 🌈🫠 thrifted style & diy

"I need to talk to you guys about this. Okay, so you see this white shirt? You see how the collar looks nice and clean? You see how there are no discernible stains in the underarm area? Yeah, that's cause I did exactly what this person told me to do," the woman says referring to Pateras. "I have tried so many things trying to get stains out of my white shirt. Shout, OxiClean, all kinds of sh-t."

The woman, who goes by Nat on TikTok, says she thought her shirt was beyond saving but this hack now has it looking nearly brand new. So if you've been struggling with getting armpit stains out of your shirts, give this hack a try and see how it works out for you.

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Education

Expert says there's only one laundry cycle you ever need, no matter what's being washed

Straight from Patric Richardson, the "Laundry Guy" himself.

Representative image from Canva

Because who can keep up with which laundry settings is for which item, anyway?

Once upon a time, our only option for getting clothes clean was to get out a bucket of soapy water and start scrubbing. Nowadays, we use fancy machines that not only do the labor for us, but give us free reign to choose between endless water temperature, wash duration, and spin speed combinations.

Of course, here’s where the paradox of choice comes in. Suddenly you’re second guessing whether that lace item needs to use the “delicates” cycle, or the “hand wash” one, or what exactly merits a “permanent press” cycle. And now, you’re wishing for that bygone bucket just to take away the mental rigamarole.

Well, you’re in luck. Turns out there’s only one setting you actually need. At least according to one laundry expert.

While appearing on HuffPost’s “Am I Doing It Wrong?” podcast, Patric Richardson, aka The Laundry Evangelist, said he swears by the “express” cycle, as “it’s long enough to get your clothes clean but it’s short enough not to cause any damage.”

Richardson’s reasoning is founded in research done while writing his book, “Laundry Love,” which showed that even the dirtiest items would be cleaned in the “express” cycle, aka the “quick wash” or “30 minute setting.”


Furthermore the laundry expert, who’s also the host of HGTV’s “Laundry Guy,” warned that longer wash settings only cause more wear and tear, plus use up more water and power, making express wash a much more sustainable choice.

Really, the multiple settings washing machines have more to do with people being creatures of habit, and less to do with efficiency, Richardson explained.

“All of those cycles [on the washing machine] exist because they used to exist,” he told co-hosts Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson. “We didn’t have the technology in the fabric, in the machine, in the detergent [that we do now], and we needed those cycles. In the ’70s, you needed the ‘bulky bedding’ cycle and the ‘sanitary’ cycle ... it was a legit thing. You don’t need them anymore, but too many people want to buy a machine and they’re like, ‘My mom’s machine has “whitest whites.”’ If I could build a washing machine, it would just have one button — you’d just push it, and it’d be warm water and ‘express’ cycle and that’s it.”
washing machine

When was the last time you washed you washing machine? "Never" is a valid answer.

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According to Good Housekeeping, there are some things to keep in mind if you plan to go strictly express from now on.

For one thing, the outlet recommends only filling the machine halfway and using a half dose of liquid, not powder detergent, since express cycles use less water. Second, using the setting regularly can develop a “musty” smell, due to the constant low-temperature water causing a buildup of mold or bacteria. To prevent this, running an empty wash on a hot setting, sans the detergent, is recommended every few weeks, along with regularly scrubbing the detergent drawer and door seal.

Still, even with those additional caveats, it might be worth it just to knock out multiple washes in one day. Cause let’s be honest—a day of laundry and television binging sounds pretty great, doesn’t it?

To catch even more of Richardson’s tips, find the full podcast episode here.


This article originally appeared last year.

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Woman explains what dry cleaning actually is and people are legitimately shocked

“They really take the buttons off of every shirt?”

Melissa Pateras TikTok screenshots

Melissa Pateras explains how dry cleaning works.

Have you ever wondered what happens at the dry cleaners? Or are you like me and just assumed the people at the dry cleaners were wizards and never questioned their magic? Turns out, dry cleaners aren't magic and there's actually a pretty interesting explanation of how they came to be and what they do.

Melissa Pateras is known on Tiktok for her laundry knowledge. If she pops up on your For You Page, you're officially on Laundrytok. Seriously, her ability to fold laundry is hypnotizing. This time, she created a video explaining what actually takes place at the dry cleaner and the Internet is aghast.

Before Pateras explained what happens in the mysterious world behind the counter of a dry cleaner, she asked a few of her friends what they thought dry cleaning was. Their answers were...interesting to say the least.

One friend surmised, "You put it in a box, right...and then you let some wind, really fast wind, blow around on your clothes and it wipes off all the dirt." The friend, whose username is @unlearn16, continued with her working hypothesis, saying that the clothes are then blasted with infrared heat to sterilize the garments. While that is certainly an interesting theory, that's not what happens.

Another friend guessed, "Dry cleaning is when they take all of your dirty clothes into this big dryer with a clean sheet that sticks all of the dirt to it from your dirty clothes." This friend was also incorrect, and Pateras finally explained why after her friends dug deep into their brains for their best guesses.

Turns out dry cleaning was invented by accident when Jean-Baptiste Jolly spilled a kerosene lamp on his tablecloth, which dried cleaner than it was previously, according to Pateras.

The laundry guru explained that while it was dangerous, the practice of cleaning things with kerosene continued until a less flammable method was discovered. But even the safer method is still fairly harsh, which is why dry cleaners take buttons off of clothing before running them through, she says.

This prompted one commenter to ask, "They really take the buttons off of every shirt?" to which Pateras replied that it only occurs if the buttons won't withstand the chemicals.

If you've ever been curious about what happens at the dry cleaner, watch the video below. She takes you through each step.

@melissadilkespateras

What is dry cleaning #laundry #laundrytok #drycleaning #funfacts @Tracy Taylor @Unlearn16 @Ana Pac @Ashley Mathieu @Li

Of course, some garments will do just fine without dry cleaning; knowing when to consider it is key.

This article originally appeared two years ago.

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