Laundry is not something many put much thought into, but there are some habits that can be disastrous.
These seemingly minor issues may be costing you money for new clothes, washing machine repairs and even higher bills.
Breaking these habits can be simple, as Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap has shared some tips to help you get started with better habits today.
1. Using too much detergent
Overusing detergent is one of the most common laundry mistakes. Doing so doesn’t get your clothes any cleaner, however – it only creates problems.
The laundry pro said: “It’s impossible not to love laundry detergent as it’s the reason why our clothes end up smelling fresh. Unfortunately, using too much laundry detergent can result in residue marks on your garment.
“Once the residue sticks to your clothes, it can attract dirt. If you’re guilty of this laundry habit, now it’s the best time to stop.”
Try cutting back your detergent use per wash load to three-quarters of what is recommended and see if you’re satisfied with how your clothes are coming out at the end of the wash cycle.
2. Using the same washing machine setting for everything
The second “laundry bad habit you need to stop” is washing everything at the same time, according to the expert. Deyan explained: “The temperature setting solely depends on what kind of material you are washing.
“As a rule of thumb, towels and bedding should typically be washed in warm or hot settings. Whereas fabrics such as cotton and wool need to be washed at lower temperatures to protect their shape.”
When it comes to bedding, the experts at Melt Laundry claim that a hot wash at 60°C is “the ideal temperature” as it will kill the bacteria, germs and fungi that build up on sheets.
Changing the temperature accordingly will save your clothes from the “damage” of fading and shrinking, says Deyan.
3. Not emptying pockets
If you’re in a bit of a rush or you’ve got a lot to do, meticulously checking all the pockets of the clothes in your laundry might seem like a bit of a faff. However, it’s a really important step and one that you should never skip.
The pro said: “It can be seen as a clumsy habit but consequently, forgetting to empty pockets has a bad outcome on your washing machine because they can clog the washer drain.”
The biggest concern is metal objects, such as coins or keys. Going through a wash won’t harm the metal, but the same can’t be said for your washing machine.
As the washing machine spins, the metal item could either shatter or crack the glass on a front-loading machine or could damage the drum itself. The key or coin could also lodge in the pipe, causing a blockage and potential flooding.
The expert added: “So next time when you start your laundry, empty metal objects like keys and coins to avoid any mechanical damage to your washing machine.”
4. Overloading the washing machine
It’s tempting to shove just a few more items in a load to help finish your laundry quicker, but overloading the appliance actually hurts your level of efficiency rather than helping it.
Deyan noted: “Overloading the washing machine is a common habit because people want to finish all their laundry in one load but it will only ruin their laundry. This is because the more clothes inside the machine, the less likely the laundry detergent will circulate all around them.”
Overloading your appliance also puts a strain on the machine and causes it to wear down more quickly, which means the lifespan of your washer is decreased.
5. Ignoring faulty washing machine signs
The washing machine is a crucial appliance for helping households do their laundry, however, it is also one many probably take for granted until it fails to work one day.
The expert urged: “If you are guilty of ignoring signs that your washing machine is faulty, now is the best time to stop this habit and act.
“Next time you hear an odd noise from your washing machine, smell a bad odour or see mould around the handle, it’s best to not ignore these signs. A faulty washing machine will not wash your clothes properly.”