Ah, laundry—seems simple, but small mistakes can ruin clothes, fade colors, shrink fabrics, or even damage your washing machine. Here’s a thorough guide to 15 things you should never do with your laundry:
1. Mix Colors Without Sorting
- Red socks in a load of whites = pink clothes.
- Always sort by whites, darks, and colors.
2. Overload the Washer
- Too much laundry prevents proper cleaning and rinsing.
- Clothes need space to move and water to circulate.
3. Use Too Much Detergent
- Excess soap can leave residue, irritate skin, and attract dirt.
- Follow the detergent label for load size and water hardness.
4. Ignore Care Labels
- Labels are there for a reason—hot water can shrink wool, tumble drying can ruin silk.
5. Put Stained Clothes in the Dryer
- Heat sets stains permanently.
- Treat stains first and air-dry if unsure.
6. Wash Everything on Hot
- Hot water can shrink fabrics, fade colors, and damage delicate items.
- Use cold for colors and delicate fabrics.
7. Ignore Zippers and Hooks
- Zippers can tear delicate fabrics if not zipped up.
- Hooks and Velcro can snag other clothes.
8. Use Bleach on Everything
- Chlorine bleach can weaken fibers and fade colors.
- Only use when safe for the fabric; oxygen-based bleach is safer for colors.
9. Dry Clothes for Too Long
- Overdrying can shrink, weaken fibers, and increase static.
- Remove clothes while slightly damp for ironing or air-dry fully for delicates.
10. Forget to Clean the Lint Trap
- Lint build-up reduces dryer efficiency and can be a fire hazard.
11. Wash Jeans Too Often
- Frequent washing fades denim.
- Spot-clean or air out between washes.
12. Leave Wet Laundry Sitting
- Wet clothes left in the washer can develop mildew and odors.
- Remove promptly after the cycle.
13. Ignore Fabric Softener Warnings
- Not all fabrics like softener—towels lose absorbency, activewear loses wicking properties.
14. Wash Shoes in a Standard Cycle
- Many shoes need a delicate cycle or hand wash, or they’ll damage both the shoes and the machine.
15. Mix Heavy and Lightweight Fabrics
- Heavy towels can crush delicate items, leaving them stretched or misshapen.
- Wash similar weights together.
Bonus Tip
- Consider turning clothes inside out to protect prints, embroidery, and color.
Bottom line: Laundry isn’t just about throwing clothes in a machine. Sorting, proper detergents, attention to labels, and timely handling prevent damage, save energy, and make your clothes last longer.
I can also make a “Laundry Do’s & Don’ts Cheat Sheet” that’s easy to tape on your washer, listing mistakes to avoid and best practices for every type of fabric.
Do you want me to make that cheat sheet?
