Overloading the portable washing machine? Adding excess detergent? Loading the washer incorrectly? Find out what mistakes you may be making when doing laundry and pick up useful laundry tips.
Those of us not lucky enough to have a maid have one thing in common – we do our laundry.
But no matter how long we have been doing it, that doesn’t mean we’re laundry experts. We still make mistakes, and the results are apparent – faded clothes, crumbled shapes, clothes failing to live up to their lifespans, and so on.
Washing clothes properly goes beyond just separating the darks from the lights. There are many rules to observe. The benefit is that you keep your clothes looking their best for the longest time possible.
So, without further ado, let’s jump in and see the common laundry mistakes people make so you can avoid them.
#1 Not closing the zippers
The teeth of the zippers can do lots of damage to your laundry. You may not immediately see the damage, but over time, you will be wondering how your clothes got torn or worn. And little will you know that it is the zippers that have been doing it.
Every time you’re washing clothes that have zippers, alone or with other clothes, you should shut the zippers all the way. That way, you get the zipper teeth out of the way, preventing them from damaging the clothes.
#2 Adding excess detergent
There’s a common belief that the more the detergent, the more effective the wash. But no – adding too much detergent doesn’t make your clothes cleaner. In fact, when you add excess detergent, that creates excess suds, which trap the dirt removed and return it to the clothing.
Again, excessive detergent makes rinsing harder. Parts of the clothing, such as under the collar, don’t come out thoroughly rinsed, and that results in dirt and bacteria getting trapped there.
Consider using half the amount of detergent you have been using. Then, increase the detergent as you go if the clothes don’t come out as clean.
Note: there’s an exception – when dealing with hard water. If your water is very hard (contains too much minerals), you might have to use more soap. Alternatively, you can heat it to make it attract soap better.
#3 Scrubbing the stains too hard or too much
While scrubbing is a good idea sometimes, it can backfire on you if you do it incorrectly. Scrubbing the stains furiously can easily cause the fabric to wear. Again, it can cause the stain to spread, making it even harder to remove.
See this guide on removing different laundry stains properly.
The best way to get rid of stains is not to scrub them out but rather to blot them out. Use a white cloth soaked in a suitable solvent, such as rubbing alcohol to dab the fabric stains and remove them safely.
#4 Washing items that have a “dry clean’ label
Putting items labelled as meant to be dry cleaned in the portable washing machine may or may not be a huge mistake.
You can hand wash and air dry some items with this label, but first, you got to make certain they are colorfast.
How to do that? Get a moist cotton swab soaked in soapy water and dab it on an inconspicuous part of the garment, maybe under the seam. If the swab comes out with dye, that means the garment is not colorfast, and should therefore not be washed.
But if the swab doesn’t extract dye, that means the garment is colorfast, and can thus be washed.
That being said, there are certain fabrics that should only be dry cleaned if they have the label. These include silk, leather, blazers, and items that have embellishments.
#5 Loading the washer incorrectly
If you’re using a top loading portable washing machine, it makes sense to add water, then soap, and lastly add the clothes. That way, you prevent residue from building up on the fabric.
But that is, actually, wrong!
Today, detergents are free of phosphates, meaning they’re not going to leave residues on your clothes. If you don’t intend to add bleach, the opposite way is the right way.
You should add clothes first, then water, and lastly, soap.
That way, you prevent the clothes from floating on the top (which is inconvenient, by the way). Also, you make it possible for the soap to get distributed more efficiently.
#6 Not unbuttoning the shirts and coats
There are two major reasons why leaving your garments buttoned up is not a good idea.
First, it obstructs the inner sides of the buttoned clothes, so they are not effectively washed.
And secondly, it causes the buttons to pop prematurely due to the stress exerted.
Hence the need to unbutton your clothes before tossing them in the washer.
#7 Using bleach unnecessarily
When most of us are confronted with tough stains, the first thing that comes to mind is bleach. But do you know bleaching is not the only way to remove tough fabric stains? There are many other ways (some way safer) such as using enzymatic stain removers, baking soda, vinegar, even salt.
The appropriate stain remover depends on the kind of stains you’re dealing with. For instance, when dealing with protein-based stains such as blood or milk, there’s no need for bleach. You should use enzymatic stain removers instead.
You might want to check out this guide how to remove different laundry stains safely and effectively.
Note: before using bleach, be sure to test its effect on a hidden part of the garment. Then again, don’t add too much bleach. Check recommendations on dosing on the packaging.
#8 Failing to level the washer before doing laundry
If your portable washing machine and dryer unit is not level when running, two things can happen – damage to the floor, and wearing of the various components within the machine.
A washer that is not level creates excess vibrations, which do this damage.
Another major problem is the noise. If your washer is making too much noise, it is likely that the machine is not level.
If your machine has legs, you got to adjust them in such a way that they’re even/level. That usually involves turning screws.
In case adjusting the legs doesn’t solve the problem of vibration, try putting a piece of plywood, around an inch thick, and a little wider than the machine’s base, underneath the machine. That can absorb the shock and reduce the effects.
#9 Allowing the dryer to “rest”
Another common belief is that if you switch off your dryer for 30 minutes to an hour after each load, that will make it last longer. While the thought makes sense, the benefits are negligible.
The loss that results from this strategy is actually bigger than the benefit.
What loss am I talking about? That of the heat generated with each cycle. If you allow the dryer to cool down after every load, the heat generated during the cycle is lost, and more heat has to be generated afresh. That means more energy is consumed.
It is more energy-efficient to run the loads continuously.
#10 Ignoring the “permanent press” function
“What the hell does that mean?” – is a response I get frequently whenever I mention the permanent press.
In case you’re wondering what the permanent press means, it is the setting on your portable washing machine meant to prevent the generation of wrinkles.
It works by washing the garments with the agitation of a regular cycle, but in warm water and spinning slowly to prevent the formation of wrinkles.
Clothes made of fabrics that are prone to wrinkling, such as cotton, should be washed with the permanent press setting whenever possible. So don’t ignore it if you want to fight wrinkles.
Another way to fight wrinkles is to avoid the dryer and avoid wringing the clothes. Air dry your clothes and iron and fold them afterwards to keep them in shape.
#11 Throwing socks in there haphazardly
Losing socks way too often? Yes, we have all suffered at the hands of that sock goblin, who will probably never be caught, but there’s a way to keep them at bay.
If you normally toss the socks in there willy nilly, there’s nothing to prevent them from getting lost in the mix.
One way of preventing that is to put your socks in laundry bags before putting them in the portable washing machine. That way, they’ll never go missing.
Another (less effective) method is to put the socks in first then load the rest of the laundry. That keeps the socks together at the bottom and makes them easier to find.
#12 Attempting to wash all the clothes in one day
Many people like to put their laundry in a basket and attend to it on Saturday. But who likes to spend an entire Saturday cleaning and drying clothes?
Moreover, when you have a large load of clothes to wash in one day, the chances are high that you will make mistakes. Separating darks from lights or heavy from lightweight clothes will require a lot more effort when dealing with a large load.
Considering it is these same mistakes that cause your clothes to fade, get stained or wear quickly, it is best to do little bits of laundry more frequently rather than waiting for it to accumulate.
Depending on factors like the size of your family and how much laundry you have to deal with, you could do your laundry perhaps every two or few days after work.
Furthermore, that will free up your time on Saturday.
#13 Forgetting to clean the washer
The common thought is that because the portable washing machine is cleaning clothes and having water ran through it, cleaning the machine itself is not necessary.
But that’s not the case.
Washing machines, when left uncleaned for long, start to get moldy. Mold is neither healthy nor safe for your laundry. It can stain them.
Also, they start to get a certain characteristic smell, which gets transferred to your clothes.
To avoid these issues, be sure to clean your washer on a regular basis. Once every month should suffice.
#14 Failing to clean the dryer
Did you know failing to remove the accumulated waste in the dryer’s ducts creates a fire hazard?
Yes, the buildup prevents air entry, making it harder for the dryer to cool. That in turn increases the risk of a fire breaking out.
One sign that your dryer’s ducts are clogged is increase in the drying time. A load that previously took 20 minutes takes more time, even up to an hour.
Every day you wash and dry clothes, make sure you empty the lint in the evening.
Apart from that, be sure to clean the dryer ducts at least once a year. That is done from the outside. You will need a long dryer vent brush, which you will insert in the ducts to remove the accumulated dirt.
#15 Over-drying clothes
Many people believe that by leaving the clothes in the dryer for longer will remove more water.
While that holds water, there’s a major downside to leaving clothes too long in the drier.
The clothes get too much static and become very wrinkled. They also lose shape. That is why you should have your clothes in the dryer for the recommended time only.
FAQs: Laundry Mistakes and Their Solutions
Is it okay to put excess detergent to make the clothes cleaner?
No, more detergent doesn’t equal cleaner clothes. Excess detergent makes rinsing harder and stiffens the laundry, making the clothes irritating to the wearer.
What does too much fabric softener do to clothes?
According to Downy, the purpose of fabric softener is to soften the fabric and freshen it.
The effects of softener overuse are not immediate. They show up over time. Contrary to popular belief, the main problem isn’t even the breakdown of the fibers. That hasn’t quite been showed to be true.
The main effect that has been observed is the yellowing of clothes.
Another issue has to do with the cost. Because of the nice scent of today’s fabric softeners, people tend to overuse them, which ramps up the cost of doing laundry.
Does excess detergent use cause clothes to smell?
If you continually use too much detergent, you will eventually notice a bad odor in your clothes. How does that happen? The accumulated detergent (which is grows difficult to remove with rinsing) attracts bacteria, and these are the source of the bad odor.
Is the dryer harmful to clothes?
It is more convenient to dry clothes in your dryer than putting them out there to air dry. But, you have to realize that if high temperatures are continually utilized, they will cause your clothes to age a lot faster.
Thus, you got to avoid using high temperatures all the time.
Is it okay to put jeans in the dryer?
While some people believe that jeans should never be put in the dryer, that is not true. You can put them in the dryer, but there are certain things you should observe.
First off, you should turn them inside out to lessen the degree of fading. Secondly, don’t use high temperatures. Turn the heat to low and choose the delicate cycle. That way, you will avoid crumbling the jeans too much.
Can I wash my clothes twice in a row?
When the clothes are very dirty, some people add lots of detergent to make them cleaner faster. But that’s not the right way to go. Too much detergent can stiffen the clothes and make them smell.
If your clothes are very soiled, feel free to wash them twice in a row. Some machines also come with a “prewash” setting, which you can also utilize.
What items should I not put in my washer?
Certain items, when put in the portable washing machine, will only result in damage in the washer. These include sneakers, purses, raincoats, and anything embellished. Before putting your clothes in the machine, be sure to check the pockets for coins, plastics, paper, and other items.
Final Word
We’ve reached the end, friends. Those are the most common laundry mistakes people make.
By avoiding them when washing your clothes, you get to enjoy three benefits – you protect your clothes so they last longer, protect your wallet by avoiding unnecessary expenses buying new clothes or new washers/dryers now and then, and save your energy.
The tips and tricks I’ve given in the article may not make it a walk in the park to do laundry, but I can guarantee that the task will be much easier.