Laundry myths debunked

Not everything Mom taught us about doing laundry was on the mark.

The Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Sciences sets us straight with these laundry myths and facts:

Myth: Bleach mixed with detergent helps clean and whiten at the same time.

Fact: Adding bleach with detergent counteracts the bleach's effectiveness. Instead, add bleach during the last five minutes of the wash cycle, or use the machine's automatic bleach dispenser.

Myth: Treat a stain head on.

Fact: Rubbing can work a stain into the fibers. Always treat the stain from the back of the fabric to help push it off the garment. Remember to blot the stain, don't rub.

Myth: More suds equal better cleaning.

Fact: Excess suds hold onto soils and redeposit them onto your laundry. If you have a front-loading washer, use a high-efficiency detergent to reduce suds.

Myth: Using the dryer leads to shrinkage.

Fact: In a dryer, it's the lack of moisture, not the heat, that causes clothes to shrink. Dryers with moisture sensors shut off the dryer automatically to prevent overdrying.

(c) 2009, Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio). Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.