As the seasons shift and we find ourselves navigating the tricky transition from summer to fall, the laundry community on TikTok and beyond has been talking. No one really knows how to do laundry. Believe it or not, there’s a right way and a wrong way to care for your clothes. To cut through the noise and get straight to the facts, we tapped Sherry Berkley, CEO and founder of laundry sheet brand Proofed!, who is a true authority in the green cleaning space, for an exclusive interview that would settle our laundry questions once and for all.

Takeaways New Hide ▲

Non-toxic cleaning is

safer for pets and

your home environment

Switch laundry routines

seasonally for better

fabric and color preservation

Green cleaning products

support a healthier home

and eco-friendly living

Fabric-safe detergents

extend the life of

your household textiles

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❯

Berkley is no ordinary cleaning expert. As a green chemistry pioneer with over 20 years of experience, she has built her reputation on developing award-winning, EPA Safer Choice–certified cleaning products that actually work. Since launching Berkley Green in 2001, she has revolutionized the way we think about effective and sustainable solutions for everyday cleaning challenges, while maintaining her commitment to environmental responsibility.

What makes Berkley particularly compelling is her unique blend of scientific knowledge and practical wisdom. While many self-proclaimed “cleaning gurus” offer untested advice based on old wives’ tales, Berkley brings a data-driven approach to laundry care that’s both accessible and effective. In our conversation, she shared invaluable insights on preserving fabrics, addressing seasonal stains, and adapting our laundry routines as we pack away our summer linens and prepare our fall wardrobes for heavy rotation.

How to Get Your Cleanest Laundry Yet?

It’s no secret that the way you wash your clothes must change between seasons. Ahead are a few tips that Berkley swears by:

Tip 1: Always sort laundry by fabric type, then by color. Always read the care label and follow the instructions carefully.

Tip 2: Spot-treat stains as soon as possible with a stain remover, depending on the type of stain.

Tip 3: Avoid using too much laundry detergent. It makes your clothes stiff, and you will not get a complete clean because there will be leftover residue. Laundry sheets are the best to use. They’re pre-dosed, so you know for sure you won’t use too much laundry detergent. The Proofed! detergent sheets are the best on the market. Truly plastic-free and dermatologist-tested.

Sherry Berkley’s Tips on Washing Clothes for Fall and Winter

Tip 1: If you suffer from allergies, both spring and fall present their own challenges. Remove your clothing in the laundry room to prevent carrying pollen throughout the house.

Tip 2: Fall and winter clothing items represent their own challenges: outerwear, down jackets, fleece, and performance fabrics all have their unique challenges. Always make sure you brush off any loose dirt or debris before washing. It’s best to spot treat any stains first – you don’t need to clean an entire garment for a single stain. Once you identify the stain, use a proper stain remover to spot-treat and remove it. Then wipe off with a damp cloth, and hang to dry.

Tip 3: Wash winter garments with cold water and a pre-dosed laundry detergent sheet – do not use fabric softener. Do not use powdered laundry detergent on fleece or performance fabrics.

Tip 4: Wash in cold water to preserve your garments, then air dry or dry on a low tumble setting. Remember to throw a few dryer balls into the dryer to maintain the garment’s shape and the fabric’s strength. Again, don’t use fabric softener.

Tip 5: Air drying winter clothing is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the fabric. Line-drying winter garments is the most effective way to preserve them.

Tip 6: Always wear a t-shirt under your sweaters so you can wear them as many times as possible without having to wash or dry clean them. Keeping a layer between your winter layers can help keep your heavy garments fresher for longer without needing to wash them.

Tip 7: Delicate winter items such as scarves, hats, and hand-knitted sweaters should be hand-washed with ½ teaspoon of free and clear laundry detergent with enzymes. Hand wash, rinse, then lay flat out on a towel to dry.

Top Common Laundry Mistakes Sherry Berkley Says to Be Aware Of

Mistake 1: Failing to pretreat stains correctly and promptly is the most significant one.

Mistake 2: Using too much laundry detergent – more in this case means hard clothing that still contains soap residue.

Mistake 3: Not sorting laundry, mixing colors and different types of fabric in the same load.

Mistake 4: Using the wrong water temperature to wash clothes.