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If you’re going to spend money on clothes — no matter how much exactly — you want them to last as long as possible. While the quality of the fabric indicates its staying power, it’s also crucial that you care for your clothes the right way. All clothing items shouldn’t be treated equally: For example, bright and dark colors, and delicate fabrics require more specialized care than whites, cottons, and other easy-to-care-for fabrics.
A recent study by the University of Leeds and Procter & Gamble found that washing clothes on the coldest, shortest cycle in the washing machine makes them last longer. The study compared the color loss, dye staining, and microfiber loss of dozens of t-shirts from common brands like Gildan, Russell, and Hanes when they were washed in 40°C water (104°F a.k.a. the warm water setting) for 85 minutes and 25°C water (77°F a.k.a. the cold wash setting) for 30 minutes.
The results: “Significantly greater colour loss and greater colour transfer were observed for a 40 °C, 85  minute wash cycle compared to a cold-quick cycle. Microfibre release was significantly greater for the 40 °C, 85  minute cycle in comparison with the cold-quick cycle, and this effect continued with further washes.” In other words, a colder, shorter wash cycle was found to reduce any color loss, dye stains, or microfiber loss.

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But that’s not to say it’s always the best option. “Cold water is safest overall, especially for bright and dark colors, and delicate fabrics because it won’t cause fading or fiber damage. Just be sure to use a good detergent that’s formulated to clean well in cold water, like Good Housekeeping Seal star, Tide,” Carolyn Forte, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, explains. “As an aside, cold water also saves energy, no matter what fabric you are washing.”
Generally speaking, cold wash cycles are best for delicates, colored, and normally soiled clothing; warm water is best for more soiled clothing and whites; and hot water is best for very soiled clothing or for loads, like underwear and towels, where you want to remove germs and allergens. Think of it this way: If you’re trying to get rid of stains or want to kill germs, then “bump up the temperature.”
On most washing machines, the delicate cycle, which uses gentler wash action and slower spin speed, is shorter than the normal, permanent press/casual, or heavy duty cycles, so it’s a safe bet if you’re washing any delicate or colored items. The normal cycle is a bit more aggressive, so it’s ideal for sturdy fabrics, like denim, bedding, towels, and most clothing. As the name implies, the heavy duty cycle should be reserved for heavily soiled items since it’s longer and uses a high-speed spin.

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9 Best Laundry Detergents for Stubborn Stains

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Your new decluttering motto: #Ruthless. More

Alyssa Rosenheck; Design: Mel Bean + Bailey Austin

Up for a surprisingly simple weekend project? Believe it or not, you can make your own banquette out of stock kitchen cabinets, a couple of two-by-fours, and a comfy cushion. Complete the look with an assortment of graphic and solid-colored throw pillows.
See below for step-by-step instructions from Allie Mann of Case Architects & Remodelers to get started on your banquette.
Materials Needed
Level
Speed square
Measuring tape
Pencil
Nail or screw gun with trim nails or trim screws
2×4 lumber material (amount will depend on the size of the banquette)
1×4 lumber material (amount will depend on the size of the banquette)
1×2 lumber material (amount will depend on the size of the banquette)
Window sill material
¼” thick birch plywood
¾” thick birch plywood
Construction glue
Circular saw
Stock wall cabinets, 12” tall and 12” deep, width depending on space.
How to Build the Banquette
Determine desired size of banquette seating (stock cabinets come in 3” increments, so if you intend to use the banquette for storage, keep this in mind). The cabinets should not sit tight wall-to-wall. There should be a filler or piece of trim between the box of the cabinet and the wall to allow for the door to open.
Frame the platform of the bench using the 2×4 lumber material.
Frame a knee wall or partial wall at cabinet height to attach the cabinet using the 2×4 lumber material.
Secure bench frame to wall, along with knee wall and cabinetry, using nail or screw gun.
Cut the ¼ ” birch plywood on circular saw to wrap the toe kick space (this will be painted later).
Cut the ¾” birch plywood on the circular saw for the wooden top. When measuring the plywood top, allow a ¾” overhang in front of the cabinet door; this would be a 1.5” overhang from the actual cabinet box.
How to Build the Banquette Wall Trim
Next, measure, cut, and apply a piece of ¼ birch plywood to the wall—the length of the bench—using your finish screws and glue. The piece of plywood and bench together should finish 48” tall above the finish floor, making the plywood piece around 30– 32” tall.
Next, apply a 1×4 horizontal piece to create the rectangular box above the bench at the top and bottom of the plywood piece.
Measure, cut, place, and attach the 1×4 vertical components on the plywood with screw or nail gun. Be sure the wainscot rectangles mimic the same width as those on the bench cabinet if possible. These rectangles you are creating on the wall will likely be between 18” – 24” wide.
Finish top of the wainscot rectangle with the window sill trim material or the 1×2 lumbar (measured, cut, and nailed in place).
Caulk and putty any seams, gaps, fill holes, etc.
Sand, prime, and paint the plywood.
Buy Everything You Need to Build a Banquette

Multipurpose Laser Level
Qooltek amazon.com
$15.98

Speedlite Square Layout Tool
Swanson Tool Co., Inc amazon.com
$4.98

Max 25 ft. x 1-1/8 in. Tape Measure
Stanley homedepot.com
$8.70

Reversible Drywall Screw Gun
DEWALT homedepot.com
$99.00

Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive
Liquid Nails homedepot.com
$2.57

Circular Saw
Skil amazon.com
$84.95

Unfinished Stock Cabinet
Project Source lowes.com
$58.48

PureBond Birch Plywood
Columbia Forest Products homedepot.com
$27.72

A version of this feature appeared in the July/August 2020 issue of Good Housekeeping.
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