Laundry mistakes persist in households, with many people unaware that small adjustments can extend fabric life and improve cleanliness. A HuffPost guide outlines the most common missteps and how to avoid them on laundry day.
Among the most frequent errors are using too much detergent, adding cleaning agents after the clothes, skipping pretreatment, and mixing scents haphazardly. Jamie Adams, the cleanfluencer behind Jamie’s Journey, says excess detergent can backfire by creating suds that trap dirt and grime on fabrics. Newer high-efficiency washers use less water, so getting the detergent-to-water balance right is crucial. Michelle Hansen of Practical Perfection adds that if there isn’t enough water to rinse, detergent can cling to fibers and leave clothes stiff. Hansen also recommends putting all cleaning agents into the washer before adding clothes so the water can dissolve everything effectively.
Not pretreating stains before washing is another widespread mistake. The Laundry Evangelist Patric Richardson says that five seconds of pretreatment can make stains much easier to remove later. He emphasizes treating the spot before the garment hits the washer to save effort down the line.
Mixing scents is another area where people diverge. While not catastrophic, experts say sticking with products that share a consistent scent helps the fragrances work together rather than against each other.
Overstuffing the machine is a temptation many households share. Becky Rapinchuk, known as Clean Mama, cautions that overloading the washer prevents clothes from circulating freely, leading to less cleaning and more wear on fabrics. The same logic applies to the dryer, where overfilling can dramatically extend cycles. Adams adds a practical tip: run the dryer half full and toss in a dry bath towel to absorb moisture, helping clothes dry faster.
Not washing like materials together is another common slip. Rapinchuk advises grouping towels, jeans, workout gear, and bedding separately so fabrics aren’t rubbing against items that can cause pilling or wear. Steph Giesbrecht, The Secret Slob, echoes this, recommending delicates on their own cycle and avoiding mixing towels with clothing whenever possible.
Over-washing and over-drying also come up in the conversation. Richardson warns against long wash cycles that wear out garments faster, urging consumers to use the shortest effective cycle and to remove clothes promptly to avoid extra tumbling. The same principle applies to drying: once clothes are dry, they should come out rather than sitting in heat.
Cleaning the washing machine itself is another overlooked chore. Adams prescribes a hot water wash with bleach, followed by a hot cycle with vinegar to neutralize buildup, while focusing on the rubber seal in front-loading machines where residue can accumulate.
Some items don’t need a wash after every wear. Richardson tells readers not to wash something simply because it’s wrinkled or worn for a short period. Giesbrecht adds that jeans, for instance, can be refreshed for many wears before washing, and Levi’s even notes jeans can be washed every 10 to 30 wears. Washing less saves water and energy.
Finally, not putting clothes away promptly can turn a simple load into a long, repeated cycle of re-washing. Giesbrecht and Richardson stress finishing one load before starting another and keeping a routine to reduce this cycle of friction and stale odors.
Experts say the core message is straightforward: follow product guidelines, pretreat stains, separate fabrics when practical, and establish a routine that makes laundry less of a daily grind. By reframing laundry as a regular, manageable task rather than a dreaded chore, households can extend the life of their wardrobes while using less water and energy over time.