Laundry is an essential part of life, but it’s also something many of us tend to do on autopilot. Unfortunately, a few common missteps can cause damage to your clothes, reduce the lifespan of your fabrics, or even result in less-than-clean laundry.

This article discusses some of those mistakes and how you can avoid or fix them. Are you guilty of any of these laundry mistakes? Read on to find out.

Top 10 Laundry Mistakes You’re Making

Here are some of the laundry mistakes you’re making knowingly or unknowingly:

1. Overloading the Washing Machine

One of the most common laundry mistakes people make is packing their washer to the brim in an effort to save time. While this might seem like a good plan, you’ll realize that clothes won’t move freely in the washer. This leads to an uneven washing and detergent residue. It can also damage your washer in the long run, as you’re forcing it to carry loads it’s not built for.

How do you fix this problem?

Leave enough space in the washer for clothes to tumble properly. A good rule of thumb is to fill the drum about 75%. With this, you’re sure the detergents will be evenly distributed and all parts of the clothes turned properly in the washer.

2. Using Too Much Detergent

People think the more detergent they add to their clothes when washing, the cleaner the clothes. But the truth is, excess detergent can leave a soapy residue on your fabrics, making them feel stiff and less fresh. The worst outcome is for people with sensitive skin, as excess detergent on your clothes can irritate your skin.

Most detergents come with recommendations on the quantity you should use based on the amount of clothes you’re washing. What you have to do is make sure you always follow the recommended amount of detergent on the label. If you’re using soft water, use even less amount of detergent.

3. Neglecting to Separate Colors and Fabrics

If you like to toss all your clothes into the washing machine at once without sorting them first, you’re making a costly mistake. It might not seem like it at first, but in no time, you might notice that your delicate fabrics start getting damaged. Even the white fabrics become dingy, losing their spark and attractiveness.

A good way to address this issue is to always sort your laundry into whites, darks, lights, thick, and delicates before washing.

4. Ignoring the Care Labels

Washing or drying clothes the wrong way can lead to shrinkage, fading, or damage. This is obviously something you wouldn’t want for your favorite clothes.

Most clothes come with labels that carry care instructions. These labels provide detailed guides on how to maximize their lifespan. You’ll get to know whether the clothes can be washed with machines or only meant for handwashing. The label will also specify the best water temperature the clothes should be washed in. Other things specified in care labels are drying, ironing and storing guides.

To avoid the mistake of damaging your laundry, always take a few seconds to check their care labels. When in doubt, wash on a gentle cycle with cold water.

5. Using the Wrong Water Temperature

Washing everything in hot or cold water exclusively is one mistake you would think no one actually makes, but people do. Different fabrics are made for different water temperatures.

Hot water can shrink or fade certain fabrics, while cold water might not remove heavy stains effectively. Imagine what happens when you wash your cotton linens in hot water. You’re damaging them for good as the level of shrinkage on them could be permanent.

To avoid this mistake, use hot water for white and heavily soiled items, warm water for colors, and cold water for delicate or items prone to shrinking.

6. Skipping Pre-Treatment of Stains

If clothes are stained with oil or other near-permanent stains, tossing them into the washing machine without first taking care of the stain is a mistake.

There are many things you can do to ensure you eliminate oil stains on your laundry. One of them is to apply a stain remover or gently rub liquid detergent onto the stain as soon as possible. Once this is done, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before washing.

Pre-treating stains on your clothes ensures they don’t spread to all parts of the cloth or other fabrics in the machine. It also ensures the stains do not become permanent on the fabrics.

7. Overdrying Clothes

You may not have thought of it, but leaving clothes in the dryer for too long can have damaging effects. It can weaken the fibers or cause shrinkage, making them useless to you.

When doing laundry, make sure to remove clothes from the dryer as soon as they’re dry. For items that wrinkle easily, take them out slightly damp and hang them to air dry.

8. Not Cleaning the Lint Trap

Forgetting to clean the lint trap of your washing machine after every use is a mistake you can’t afford to make. The reason is simple. It can result in damaging consequences, like fire outbreaks.

Dusts, lint and other dirt can build up in the lint trap. Some of these items are highly flammable and can easily ignite from the heat generated by the dryer. Also, a clogged lint trap affects the performance of your washing machine.

Remove lint from the trap after every load. Deep-clean the trap periodically to keep your dryer functioning optimally.

9. Washing Clothes Too Often

Overwashing wears out fabrics faster and wastes water and energy. Therefore, if you’re the type that throws clothes into the washer after every wear, you’re not only wasting resources but also subjecting your clothes to early damage.

How often you wash your clothes depends on a few factors, like the type of fabrics they’re made of, how often you wear them and lots more. Therefore, before you toss your clothes into the machine now and then, assess whether they’re truly dirty. Many items, like jeans or jackets, can be worn several times before needing a wash.

10. Not Maintaining Your Washer and Dryer

This is a common mistake most people are guilty of. Detergent buildup and lint can reduce efficiency and even cause your washing machine to malfunction.

Clean your washing machine monthly by running an empty cycle with hot water and vinegar. Vacuum around the dryer vent and inspect it for clogs every few months. With this, it will continue to perform optimally for a more extended period.

Conclusion

Laundry might seem straightforward, but avoiding these common mistakes can make a big difference in the cleanliness and longevity of your clothes. It will also save you resources, as you won’t have to repair or replace your machine often.

If laundry feels like too much of a hassle, let Kleenol take care of it for you. Our expert team ensures your clothes are handled with care and returned looking their best. Schedule your pickup today and enjoy stress-free laundry service.