10 Common Laundry Mistakes

Laundry may seem straightforward, and with the advancements of washer and dryers made over the years it’s almost to the point of automated. But even with the most sophisticated machines and products you still can make costly laundry mistakes that adversely impact the longevity and cleanliness of your clothes. Here are the 10 most common laundry mistakes you’re probably making and tips to avoid them.

1. Excessive Amount Of Detergent

More detergent doesn’t always mean cleaner clothes. Using too much can leave residue on your garments and even damage your washing machine over time. Get more bang for your buck and try using less than the amount recommended on the detergent bottle. Often, a little goes a long way.

2. Washing Everything in Hot Water

Hot water can shrink fabrics, fade colors, and even set stains. For most loads, cold water is sufficient and gentler on your clothes. Reserve hot water for heavily soiled items like towels and sheets.

3. Over-Drying Items

Excessive drying can weaken fabric fibers, cause shrinkage, and make clothes feel stiff. Use a shorter drying cycle, and remove items as soon as they’re dry to prevent over-drying.

4. Stuffing Your Washer To The Top

Stuffing your washer to the brim prohibits your clothes from moving freely in the drum. Your washer’s agitator needs to be able to do its job and circulate each item in the wash water. To determine if your washer is too full use the hand-in-drum test. Place your entire hand in the washer starting at the top of the drum. You should be able to fit your hand vertically between the top of the laundry and the top of the drum without clothes overlapping it.

5. Not Emptying Pockets

Forgetting to check pockets can lead to disaster. Items like pens, chapsticks, and tissues can wreak havoc on your clothes—and your washer. Take a few moments to empty every pocket before tossing items into the machine.

6. Skipping Washer and Dryer Maintenance

A dirty washer drum can leave residue on clothes, while a clogged dryer lint trap poses a fire hazard. Clean your washer and drums regularly by wiping them down with cleaning solution between cycles, and empty the lint trap after every dry load

7. Disregarding Care Labels

Care labels are there for a reason! Not reading them can lead to shrunken sweaters, faded prints, or ruined fabrics. Take a minute to check the label for washing and drying instructions before throwing an item into the machine.

8. Dumping Everything In The Washer

Throwing everything into one load might save time, but it costs you a quality clean. Overstuffing your washer leads to color bleeding, lint transfer, and inadequate cleaning. Always sort laundry by color, fabric type, and soil level and wash in smaller batches. Laundry day will be a bit longer but it will ensure each item is thoroughly cleaned.

9. Delaying Folding

Leaving clothes in the dryer after the cycle ends can result in wrinkles, making folding or ironing more time-consuming. Fold your clothes as soon as they’re dry to keep them wrinkle-free and ready to wear.

10. Using Fabric Softener

Fabric softeners (both liquid and sheets) leave a waxy residue on fabrics, which dulls colors and damages fibers over time. Instead, use white vinegar as a natural fabric softener. It’s effective, inexpensive, leaves no residue, and eliminates odors.

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you’ll increase the life of your clothes and save yourself time and money.

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