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Let’s be honest — laundry isn’t exactly thrilling. Nobody gathers the family ‘round and says, “Guess what! It’s sock-sorting night!” Most of us just toss stuff in, press a button, and hope for the best. But you know what? A few sloppy habits can turn your favorite jeans into something fit for the dog bed faster than you can say permanent press.
I’ve been doing laundry long enough to know what works and what ruins half your closet. So grab your basket, pour yourself a glass of iced tea, and let’s tackle the 15 worst laundry mistakes you’re probably making — and how to fix ‘em without adding a single gray hair to your head.
1 Stop Mixing Towels with Clothes — Seriously
I get it — you want to toss everything in at once and call it done. But towels are like clingy friends — they shed lint all over your cute yoga pants and fleece jackets. Worse, towels hog the water and make your shirts dry faster than they should, which can overdry lighter fabrics and leave them feeling crunchy.
Wash towels with towels, clothes with clothes — trust me, your lint roller will thank you.
2 Don’t Go Overboard with Fabric Softener
A splash is fine. Half a bottle? Not so much. Too much softener makes towels water-resistant (which is not the point of a towel, right?) and can gunk up your washer over time. Your clothes might even feel weirdly greasy — been there, regretted that.
Follow the bottle’s directions, and if you want extra fluff, try adding a few dryer balls instead. They’re like tiny, bouncy cheerleaders for your laundry.
3 Turn Clothes Inside Out — It’s Not Just for Kids
Dark jeans, printed tees, leggings — flip ‘em inside out before they hit the wash. This helps keep colors from fading and stops that annoying pilling that makes your black leggings look like a lint magnet.
It takes ten extra seconds, and future you (the one not buying new jeans every season) will be grateful.
4 Cold Water Isn’t Always the Hero
I’m all for saving energy. Cold water works for most everyday loads, but when it comes to sweaty gym clothes, muddy jeans, or that old kitchen rag that’s seen too many spills — warm or hot water is your pal. Some grime and bacteria just need a bit more heat to call it quits.
5 That Lint Trap? Clean It Every Time
You’d be shocked at how many folks don’t do this. A full lint trap slows your dryer down, wastes energy, and — here’s the scary part — can actually cause a fire.
So after every dry cycle, pull that trap out and scoop the fuzz. It’s oddly satisfying, too — like peeling dried glue off your fingers. You know what I mean.
6 Quit Overstuffing the Washer
I know, I know — “I’ll just cram it all in so I don’t have to do another load.” But jam-packed washers don’t clean properly. Clothes need room to swish and swirl. If they’re packed in tighter than a Black Friday sale, half your detergent isn’t even reaching half your clothes.
Better to do two reasonable loads than one monster load that leaves you with half-clean socks.
7 Easy on the Detergent
More suds don’t mean more clean. In fact, too much detergent can leave residue that makes your clothes stiff and your washer slimy.
Measure it out according to the load size. And if your clothes still smell funky, it might not be your soap’s fault — it’s probably the machine (we’ll get to that in a minute).
8 Don’t Abandon Wet Laundry
We’ve all done it. The buzzer goes off, we think “I’ll get that in a sec,” and three hours later, we’re sniffing questionable shirts wondering if we can get away with wearing them anyway.
Leaving wet clothes in the washer breeds mildew, makes colors bleed, and can warp the shape of your favorite pieces. If you know you’ll forget, set a timer on your phone or leave a sticky note on the fridge.
9 The Care Label Knows More Than You Think
Ever shrunk a sweater you loved? Or faded those black jeans into a sad gray? Nine times out of ten, the care label could’ve saved you.
Take five seconds to peek at it. It’s not a suggestion — it’s your fabric’s way of begging you not to ruin it.
10 Keep Hot Water Away from Delicates
I once ruined my favorite silk blouse because I thought hotter water would clean it better. Wrong. Hot water shrinks, warps, and ages delicate fabrics faster than you can say “dry clean only.”
For lingerie, silk, or wool, cold water and a gentle cycle are your best friends. Better yet, wash by hand while you’re catching up on that true crime podcast.
11 Always Pre-Treat Stains
If you spill red wine on your white shirt (been there too — more than once), don’t just toss it in the hamper and hope for the best.
A quick dab of detergent or stain remover can save the day. Rub it in, let it sit for a bit, then wash. You’ll be shocked at how many “permanent” stains vanish with a little pre-treatment.
12 Bleach + Colors = Heartbreak
I know bleach seems like a magic wand for whites, but please keep it far away from anything colorful. One splash can fade or blotch that pretty top faster than you can say “Oops.”
Stick to color-safe or oxygen-based bleaches for colored items. Or just wash colors with care and skip the harsh stuff altogether.
13 Dial Down the Dryer Heat
High heat might dry clothes faster, but it also shrinks jeans, melts elastic, and beats up fabrics over time.
Try medium or low heat, or even better — air dry delicates. Hang things on a clothesline if you’re feeling nostalgic — there’s nothing like the smell of sun-dried sheets.
14 Separate Lights and Darks — Yes, Still
It’s Laundry 101 for a reason. Dark dyes love to bleed, and that baby-blue blouse doesn’t want to be baby-gray.
Sort your piles — whites, lights, darks — and your colors will stay true longer. It’s a tiny step that saves a lot of tears.
15 Love Your Washer Like It Loves You
Your washer works hard — give it some TLC. Run a cleaning cycle once a month with vinegar or a washing machine cleaner. Wipe down the rubber seals. Check hoses for leaks every so often.
A clean washer = clean clothes. Pretty simple, huh?
The Final Spin
So there you have it — 15 little things you shouldn’t do if you want your clothes to last and your laundry days to run smoother than a fresh spin cycle.
I know it sounds like a lot, but honestly? Once you get in the habit, it’s just second nature. And hey, who doesn’t want to feel like a laundry wizard — saving money, protecting clothes, and maybe even enjoying the ritual a bit more?
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a load of towels to fold and a fresh cup of coffee waiting for me. Happy washing, friends — may your whites stay bright, your colors stay true, and your lint trap stay clean.