When it comes to washing, nothing is more annoying than washed-out colors, faded favorite shirts or discoloration from leaking textiles. However, with the right washing technique, your colorful garments will stay fresh and colorful for longer. While washing whites is relatively straightforward, there are a few things to bear in mind when washing colored laundry. Here you can find out how to properly care for your colored textiles and preserve their colors for a long time.

Washing colored laundry: sorting first

Before you fill the washing machine, you should sort your colored laundry carefully. First, sort them by color: Dark colors such as black, dark blue or dark green in one group, medium shades such as red, light blue or green in another and light shades in a third. New, intensely colored textiles in particular should be washed separately at first, as they often release color.

Check the care labels before washing. Not all brightly colored garments can be washed at the same temperatures. Delicate materials such as silk or viscose require special care and should not be washed together with more robust fabrics such as cotton.

Turn your clothes inside out before washing. This protects the outer, visible side from abrasion and direct contact with detergent, keeping colors bright for longer. For pants, close the zippers and buttons to minimize friction.

The right temperature and the right detergent

For colored laundry, less is more – both in terms of temperature and detergent. Most colored textiles retain their color intensity the longest if they are washed at low temperatures. 30 °C is perfectly sufficient for normally soiled colored laundry and is gentle on the colors. For heavier soiling, you can increase the temperature to 40 °C, but you should not go above this.

Use a special color detergent that is formulated without optical brighteners and bleaching agents. These ingredients, which are contained in heavy-duty detergents, can attack and fade colors. Liquid detergents are often more suitable for colored laundry than powders, as they dissolve well even at low temperatures and leave no residue.

Use the detergent sparingly – too much detergent can build up in the fibers, making the colors look dull. Follow the dosage instructions on the packaging and take into account the degree of soiling and the water hardness in your region.

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Gentle washing programs and helpful additives

If possible, choose a gentle or easy-care program with a reduced spin speed. This reduces the mechanical load on the textiles and protects the colors. An additional rinse cycle can help to completely remove detergent residues that could otherwise damage the colors.

For particularly valuable or intensely colored garments, a color fixer added to the wash water can help. These products seal the colors and prevent bleeding. A dash of vinegar in the last rinse (approx. 50 ml) can also refresh and fix the colors.

You can do without fabric softener

Do not use fabric softener on sportswear and functional clothing, as it can impair the special properties of these textiles. It can be used sparingly for normal colored laundry, but fabric softeners can also leave a film on the fibers over time, which makes the colors appear duller.

Proper care of your colored laundry begins with sorting and ends with drying – preferably in the shade, as direct sunlight can fade the colors. With these simple tips, your favorite colorful pieces will stay bright and vibrant for longer – for an outfit that looks just as colorful as it did on day one.

Source: Süddeutsche

Have you bought more fresh spinach leaves than you can use in the next few days? No problem: you can freeze spinach leaves and enjoy them for several months. This is a practical solution to avoid food waste, especially if you have large quantities.

How to freeze spinach leaves properly

Leaf spinach is easy to freeze – as long as you prepare it correctly. Wash the leaves thoroughly, as soil and sand often collect between the stems. Remove any wilted or damaged parts and drain the spinach well.

This is important BlanchingPlace the spinach in boiling water for about 30 seconds and then immediately rinse in ice water. This preserves the bright green color and many heat-sensitive vitamins such as folic acid. Then leave to dry well – preferably on a kitchen towel.

You can then dry the spinach in portions into freezer bags or containers in portions. This means you always have exactly the right amount to hand when cooking later – without leftovers.

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Practical tips for perfect durability

For space-saving freezing, it is advisable to freeze the spinach flat in the containers in the containers. This makes it easier to stack in the freezer and remove individual portions later. Label the packaging with the freezing date to keep track at all times.

Leaf spinach stays in the freezer for about six to eight months in good quality. After that, the consistency may change slightly, but the spinach can still be used. An alternative is to puree the blanched spinach and freeze it in small portions – ideal for smoothies, soups or sauces.

What actually happens to the nutrients when freezing?

Contrary to common assumptions, many nutrients are lost during freezing. vitamins and minerals are well preserved. Particularly sensitive nutrients such as folic acid and vitamin C survive the process surprisingly well if the spinach has been blanched before freezing.

The same applies to other vegetables such as broccoli, peas or beans. Less suitable are water-rich vegetables such as cucumbers or tomatoes, as they lose their structure after defrosting. With the right preparation, your stock remains nutritious and can be used flexibly.

Checklist: Freezing spinach leaves made easy

• Wash and prepare: Clean spinach thoroughly, sort out bad leaves and drain well
• Blanch: Place in boiling water for approx. 30 seconds, then quench in ice water
• Dry: After blanching, drain completely and leave to dry on a cloth or sieve
• Portioning: Fill in small quantities in freezer bags or tins – pressing flat saves space
• Label: Note the date – spinach leaves can be kept frozen for up to 8 months
• Use: Ideal for pasta, quiche, soups or smoothies – straight from the freezer or slightly thawed

_{This article was partly produced with machine assistance and carefully checked by the editorial team before publication.}

Your avocado reaches the perfect degree of ripeness, but you can’t manage to eat it in time? No problem: Freeze an avocado is a clever way to prevent the fruit from spoiling. However, if it’s already brown or mushy, it’s better to turn it into a quick dip like guacamole or dispose of it correctly.

Freeze avocado: How to do it right

Freezing avocados is straightforward if you follow a few tricks. Whole fruits are less suitable – it is better to freeze the Peel and portion the flesh.

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Remove the stone, cut the avocado into wedges or mash it into a puree. For the puree, add a little lemon juice to preserve the color. Pack the whole thing airtight in freezer bags or tins, taking care to trap as little air as possible. Avocado will keep for four to six months in the freezer and is perfect for smoothies, dips or creams.

Tips for optimal storage and use

The fresher the avocado is when frozen, the better the flavor and quality are preserved. It is ideal to prepare the puree in ice cube trays – this way you always have small portions to hand later.

Defrosted avocado is particularly suitable for creamy applications such as dips or dressings. For raw salads, it is better to use fresh fruit, as the texture of frozen avocado is softer.

Nutrient content: What happens during freezing?

When freezing, most of the nutrients such as healthy fats, vitamin E and potassium are preserved. Vitamin C may decrease slightly over time, but overall the avocado remains a nutrient-rich ingredient.

Other foods such as Berries, bread or cream can be frozen without any problems. Berries retain their color and vitamins, bread should be baked briefly after defrosting, and cream must be mixed well before freezing to avoid loss of quality.

Checklist: Avocado freezing made easy

Prepare: Peel and pit the avocado and cut into wedges or mash into puree
Use lemon juice: Sprinkle some lemon juice on the flesh to prevent browning
Pack airtight: Fill into freezer bags or tins, enclosing as little air as possible
Label: Note the freezing date – Shelf life: 4 to 6 months
Use: Ideal for dips, smoothies, dressings or desserts

_{This article was partly created with the help of a machine and carefully checked by the editorial team before publication.}

Did you pick up a large pack of ham when shopping or have a few slices left over from your last breakfast brunch? Instead of letting the delicate cold cuts spoil, you can freeze ham to significantly extend its shelf life. This works for many types of ham – provided you do it carefully. If the freezer compartment is full or freezing is not an option, you should store it well wrapped in the fridge and use it up as soon as possible.

Freezing ham – what you should bear in mind

Not every type of ham is equally suitable for the freezer. Air-dried varieties such as Serrano or Parma ham are particularly suitable for freezing as they have a lower water content and largely retain their structure. Cooked ham, on the other hand, can lose some of its consistency after defrosting – but still tastes great in many warm dishes.

It is best to portion the ham before freezing. Place individual slices with sandwich paper in between and pack them airtight in freezer bags or boxes. This way, nothing sticks together later and you can remove individual portions at any time. Ham stays frozen for about can be kept for two to three monthsafter which the taste and quality slowly deteriorate.

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How to store ham without freezing it

If you prefer to enjoy your ham fresh, it is often sufficient to store it in the fridge. Cooked ham will keep there for three to four daysair-dried varieties will keep for much longer – provided they are well wrapped, ideally in parchment paper or a clean cotton cloth. You should avoid plastic wrap, as condensation forms underneath, which causes the product to spoil more quickly.

The ham can be preserved even longer by vacuum packing. Airtight sealing protects against oxidation and is particularly useful for larger quantities or high-quality varieties such as Black Forest or farmer’s ham. This preserves the flavor without you having to reach for the freezer immediately. This method is also ideal if you want to store food for longer but don’t want to freeze it.

How does freezing affect the nutrients?

Ham retains its most important nutrients when frozenespecially proteins, iron and zinc. Many vitamins are also well protected by the low temperatures. Slight changes in taste or consistency are possible with more sensitive varieties, but often do not detract from the enjoyment – especially if the ham is used in hot dishes after defrosting.

Incidentally, many other foods are also easy to freeze – for example grated cheese, herbs, cooked pasta or even bread. This means you can not only save money and time with clever storage, but also avoid unnecessary waste. Avoid wasting food.

Checklist: Freezing ham made easy

• Choose varietyAir-dried ham is better than moist cooked ham
• PortioningSeparate slices with sandwich paper and freeze in small quantities
• Airtight packagingUse freezer bags or tins, remove as much air as possible
• LabelingNote the freezing date – store ham for a maximum of 2-3 months
• Defrost gentlyDefrost overnight in the refrigerator, not at room temperature

_{This article was created partly with machine support and carefully checked by the editorial team before publication.}

Have you bought fresh blueberries or picked them yourself – and now the small, aromatic fruits are piling up in your kitchen? Instead of letting them spoil, you can simply Freeze blueberries. This is one of the most effective ways of preserving surplus berries and still having access to their valuable ingredients and fruity taste months later.

If freezing is not an option, jams, fruit sauces or compotes are suitable alternatives for preserving. Overripe berries, on the other hand, should be composted – their quality cannot usually be saved by freezing them.

Freezing blueberries – explained step by step

The Freeze blueberries works best if you prepare them carefully beforehand. Wash the berries thoroughly under cold water and then leave them to dry completely. Residual moisture can cause them to stick together or become mushy when frozen.

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To avoid this, it’s best to spread the berries out on a baking tray or tray – this way they are separated and can be ideally pre-frozen. After one to two hours, you can transfer them in portions into airtight freezer bags or containers. This prevents lumps from forming and allows you to remove them flexibly later.

Correct storage makes all the difference

To keep frozen blueberries fresh for a long time, the right packaging is crucial. Airtight freezer bags or stackable freezer tins not only protect against freezer burn, but also against loss of flavor. Note the freezing date on the packaging – ideally, you should use the blueberries within ten to twelve months.

Particularly practical: You don’t have to defrost blueberriesto use them. You can use them directly frozen for smoothies, yogurt or ice cream. If you want to use them for cakes or muesli, let them thaw slowly at room temperature or in the fridge. A sieve helps to drain off excess liquid and maintain the consistency.

What about the nutrients when freezing?

The Freezing blueberries not only preserves the flavor, but also the valuable ingredients. Vitamins such as C and K as well as antioxidants are largely preserved – especially if the berries are frozen directly after harvesting. Only a small proportion of the heat-sensitive vitamin C can be lost during the process.

Other fruits such as raspberries, strawberries or even vegetables such as broccoli and carrots are also excellent for freezing. The key is always to freeze them as fresh as possible, pack them in airtight containers and store them at a constant temperature to preserve their taste and nutritional value.

Checklist: Freezing blueberries made easy

Wash and dry fresh: Only freeze clean, completely dry berries
Pre-freeze individually: Place side by side on a tray or baking sheet and allow to freeze
Pack airtight: Transfer to freezer bags or tins, trapping as little air as possible
Label: Mark the freezing date on the packaging
Note the shelf life: Consume within 10 to 12 months
Use directly: Frozen for smoothies or yogurt, thawed for cakes and muesli

_{This article was partly produced with machine support and carefully checked by the editorial team before publication.}

So, have your sneakers seen one too many puddles? Dirty sneakers not only look unattractive, they can also smell unpleasant. Whether after jogging in the rain, a visit to a festival or simply through daily wear – there comes a point when a thorough clean is unavoidable. The washing machine offers a practical solution here, but without the right tricks, your favorite shoes can be damaged. With the following tips, even heavily soiled sneakers can be cleaned again without losing their shape or ageing prematurely. You should definitely know these tricks when it comes to washing sneakers.

Washing sneakers: What you should do before washing

First of all, not all sneakers are suitable for machine washing. First check the label or the manufacturer’s instructions. Shoes made of leather, suede, with gel insoles or special cushioning should generally not be machine washed. For most sneakers made of fabric, canvas or synthetic materials, however, machine washing is not a problem.

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Before you start, remove the insoles and laces – you can wash these separately or clean them by hand. Then tap off excess dirt over the garbage can and remove coarse dirt with an old toothbrush. For particularly stubborn stains, it helps to treat them in advance with a mixture of water and baking soda or a little gall soap. Make sure that there are no stones stuck in the tread soles that could damage your washing machine.

The right wash cycle: how to protect your shoes and machine

To protect both your sneakers and the washing machine, you shouldn’t just throw your shoes loose into the drum. Instead, put them in a special laundry bag or an old pillowcase. This prevents the shoes from hitting the drum too hard during the wash cycle and also protects the machine’s coating from damage.

For additional protection, you can put some old towels in the drum. These will dampen the movement of the shoes and ensure a balanced load. Use a mild liquid detergent without bleach and select a gentle program with a low temperature – 30 degrees is usually sufficient. Avoid fabric softener, as this can attack the materials of your shoes and impair their breathable properties.

The spin cycle should either be avoided completely or set to the lowest setting. Excessive spinning can loosen the adhesives in the shoes and permanently change their shape.

Drying sneakers properly: the key steps

After the wash cycle, the most important part of shoe care begins: drying them properly. Never put your sneakers in the dryer or on the heater – the heat can loosen adhesives, deform plastic parts and make the materials brittle. Instead, line the still-damp shoes with crumpled newspaper, which absorbs the moisture and maintains the shape at the same time. Change the paper after a few hours when it is soaked through.

Place the shoes in an airy place to dry, but not in direct sunlight. White sneakers in particular can otherwise turn yellow. Complete drying can take 24-48 hours – be sure to allow this time before you want to wear the shoes again.

An additional trick for extra fresh shoes: Before the final drying step, add some baking soda to the almost dry shoes, leave it to work overnight and tap it out the next day. This neutralizes odours and absorbs residual moisture.

With these tips, your sneakers will get clean again in the washing machine, keep their shape and stay like new for longer – an easy way to preserve your favorite sneakers. Or even breathe new life into them.

Source: utopia