Basic questions, straight answers
No question is too basic. That's literally the point.
What temperature should I wash my clothes at?
Check the care label first; the number in the tub is the maximum. For most everyday clothes, 30 to 40°C (cold to warm) cleans well with modern detergent and is gentler on colours. Use hotter washes (60°C) for towels, bedding, and heavily soiled items that allow it. Decode any label with the symbol decoder.
How much detergent should I use?
Follow the dosing guide on the pack, which depends on load size, soil, and water hardness. More is not better: excess detergent can leave residue on clothes and in the machine. High-efficiency (HE) washers need HE detergent.
Does a floating egg mean it has gone bad?
Not necessarily. Eggs float as they age because the air cell inside gets bigger, so a floater is old, not automatically spoiled. Spoilage is better judged by smell when cracked. Respect the date on the carton and keep eggs refrigerated.
Can I mix bleach with other cleaners?
No. Mixing bleach with ammonia-based cleaners, acids (including some drain and toilet cleaners), or vinegar can release toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between them, and keep the room ventilated.
Why did my sweater shrink?
Wool and some other fibres shrink or felt with heat and agitation. Hot washes and tumble drying are the usual causes. Look for the hand-wash or wool-cycle symbol and the "dry flat" square on the label.
Is it OK to pour boiling water down the drain?
It can help with grease in metal pipes, but it can soften or damage PVC pipe joints and can crack porcelain toilets. Hot tap water is safer for plastic plumbing. See How to unclog a drain.
Do I need to separate whites and colours?
Yes for new, dark, or bright items that might bleed dye, and for whites you want to keep bright. Many mixed-colour loads of older clothes wash fine together in cold water. Colour-catcher sheets reduce, but do not remove, the risk.