Make your January bargains last all year round

No doubt by now you’ve landed yourself a bargain in the January sales, whether it’s a flat screen telly, a corner sofa or a whole new wardrobe. I don’t blame you for braving the crowds either – January is typically the month for counting the copper, so it’s always good to find a solid gold deal or two. 

If you came back from shopping with bags heaving with new clothes, the last thing you want to do is let them go to pot within a few weeks of wearing them. This can happen if your washing machine or tumble dryer isn’t equipped to take extra care of those different fabrics. So, with that in mind, let’s have a gander at what to look out for when you’re washing and drying those new outfits.

First things first, check the clothes care labels. It makes sense to treat delicate items... delicately. If you keep putting your brand spanking new jumper on a red hot wash with a high spin speed, you’re going to end up ruining the poor thing. Make sure you pick a Wool/Handwash cycle for your woollens and silks. If your washing machine doesn’t have this or you’re in the market for a new model, take a look at the range of washing machines here that do. One in particular caught my eye – the Hotpoint AQ113D697I. This one’s Wool cycle is endorsed by Woolmark themselves, and it even comes with specialised programmes for coloured, white and dark clothes.

If you’ve recently invested in a load of gym or sportswear, look out for special sports cycles like the Sports Wear programme on LG’s F1281TD washing machine. These cycles are designed to take extra care of breathable fabrics, while giving a deep, efficient clean.

Last but certainly not least – tumble drying. There’s nothing worse than taking new clothes out of the dryer to find them creased and crinkled to within an inch of their lives. So, it’d be a good idea to take advantage of sensor drying. By using special sensors in the drum, models with this technology stop automatically once the right dryness level has been reached, making sure your new load of clothes are never over-dried. Don’t forget anti-crease and easy iron programmes too – these can help to prevent tangling and deep creases. You can find these lovely features on the Beko DCU8230.

These little tips may seem insignificant, but they can make a big difference when it comes to looking after your glad rags.