Washing our clothes has come a long way from the days when hand scrubbing made it more of a physically demanding and time-consuming task. But let’s face it: even with today’s most high-tech washing machines and dryers, there are times when we’re still unaware that we’re making laundry mistakes that are slowly damaging our clothes and breaking our appliances.
Even if you’ve been doing laundry for years, there are still some simple bad laundry habits that we might be guilty of and not know it. Here at Garner Appliance and Mattress, we want to share how you can correct these mistakes so you can maximize your laundry efforts and extend the lifespan of your appliances.
1. You Forget to Close Zippers Before Washing Your Clothes
This is one of the most common mistakes in the history of doing laundry. Ever wonder why some of your garments have unnecessary rips or small holes? The metal teeth from zippers can rip delicate and woven clothing that's being washed or dried in the same load.
✓ Do this instead: Before tossing your clothes into the washer or dryer, close all clasps or zips (often found on your jackets, jeans, underwear, etc.) to prevent them from snagging onto other items in the washing or drying cycle. You may also consider putting these garments in a mesh bag to make sure they don’t scratch other clothing.
2. You Use Too Much Laundry Detergent in the Wash
Using more detergent will not result in cleaner clothes. In fact, the opposite is true. Using too much detergent creates extra suds that don’t completely rinse out of clothes, leaving behind a slimy residue. Excess detergent also causes a sticky build-up in the fabric that becomes a breeding ground for bacteria to grow.
✓ Do this instead: Measure just the right amount of detergent recommended for the size of your laundry load. A good way to do this is to check the fill line as you pour detergent into the cup. Also, do not pour concentrated detergent directly onto the fabric—this can stain or fade your clothes. Instead, pour water first, and then detergent to ensure that the soap gets evenly distributed.
3. You Wash and Dry Your Clothes All Buttoned Up
Another common laundry mistake that can damage your shirts and other garments with buttons is leaving them buttoned up when they’re being washed or dried. If you leave them buttoned up, all of that tumbling inside the appliances can stress buttons and buttonholes and cause threads to loosen and buttons to fall off.
✓ Do this instead: Simply unbutton your clothes before tossing them into the washer or dryer.
4. You Leave Stains on Your Clothes for Too Long
We’ve all probably done it at one point but leaving clothes with stains that have settled in for too long or have penetrated our clothes’ fibers is certainly much harder to remove. You may think the best way to eliminate a stain is to scrub it out, but this technique could backfire and cause the soiled area to spread. Your best bet at removing stains is to treat them before they go in the washer.
✓ Do this instead: If you find a spot or stain on a piece of clothing, dab it gently and pre-treat with cold water, laundry detergent, or a stain remover before washing it. You can also try soaking the garment immediately in cold water. Remember, the sooner you treat a stain, the better chances you get at removing them completely.
5. You Overfill Your Washer or Dryer
Sure, it’s easy to think we’re saving energy and precious time when we try to make the most out of one washing or drying cycle. However, overfilling your appliances will just lead to clothes that won’t get thoroughly cleaned and potentially shorten the lifespan of your washing machine or dryer. When you overfill your washer or dryer, the clothes do not have enough room to move around to either get the dirt off completely or dry uniformly.
✓ Do this instead: Leave a gap between the clothes and the top of the machine. Simply put, do not fill the machine right to the top.
Don’t Forget: Clean Your Washer and Dryer Too!
Your washer and dryer keep your clothes, curtains, linens, and other items cleaner. So, it’s important to keep these appliances clean too. Grime from your dirty laundry, detergent residue, and mold or mildew can build up on these appliances over time. Many machines have ‘Clean’ or ‘Rinse’ cycles, which make it as easy as pressing a few buttons. You’ll also want to regularly clean both the lint trap and the dryer duct.
Looking for a New Washer or Dryer in North Carolina?
These best practices can correct some of the most common laundry mistakes we make and help save you some time and frustration when doing your laundry. If you’re looking to buy a new washer or dryer, check out Garner Appliance and Mattress and browse through our easy-to-use website, or head to our closest physical store where we have an extensive showcase of brands, you'd want in your laundry room today.