Laundry day. Just the phrase is enough to make most of us groan. It’s the chore that never ends; the moment you wash that final pair of socks, another dirty shirt magically appears in the hamper. But what if the dread isn’t just about the volume of clothes? What if the process itself is harder than it needs to be?
Often, small habits and overlooked maintenance tasks turn a straightforward job into a frustrating ordeal. From clothes that never seem truly clean to machines that rattle and shake, these annoyances are often self-inflicted.
If you’re ready to reclaim your weekend and stop fighting with your washer, check out these 10 common mistakes. Fixing them might just make laundry day (dare we say it?) tolerable.
1. You’re Stuffing the Washer Until it Bursts
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
We get it. You want to get it all done in one go. But cramming every last towel and t-shirt into the drum is a recipe for disaster. When a washer is overstuffed, water and detergent can’t circulate properly. Dirt and grime get trapped in the folds of the fabric rather than being rinsed away, leaving you with clothes that are technically “washed” but definitely not clean.
Plus, an overloaded machine puts immense strain on the motor and suspension. That loud banging sound? That’s your washer begging for mercy. Stick to the fill line and give your clothes room to tumble. Two medium loads will always clean better and faster than one massive, soggy clump.
2. You Believe “More Soap” Means “More Clean.”
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
It’s a common misconception that extra dirty clothes need extra detergent. In reality, using too much soap creates an excess of suds that your machine can’t fully rinse out. This leaves a sticky residue on your clothes that actually attracts more dirt and bacteria over time. It can also leave fabrics feeling stiff and scratchy against your skin.
Modern high-efficiency washers are designed to work with very little detergent. Try cutting your usual amount in half. If your clothes still come out clean, you’ve just saved money and your wardrobe. If you see suds left over after a cycle, you are definitely overdoing it.
3. You’re Ignoring the Water Temperature Settings
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Do you wash everything on “Hot” to kill germs? Or everything on “Cold” to save energy? While noble, a one-size-fits-all approach is ruining your clothes. Hot water can shrink cottons, damage elastics, and fade bright colors prematurely. Conversely, cold water might not be enough to tackle heavy soil or oil-based stains on kitchen towels.
Check the care labels (yes, those little tags you usually ignore). Generally, keep hot water for bedding and towels, warm for man-made fabrics and moderately soiled items, and cold for delicate darks and bright colors. Tailoring the temp to the load keeps your favorite sweater from becoming a crop top.
4. You Leave Wet Clothes to “Marinate.”
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
We’ve all done it: the buzzer goes off, but you’re in the middle of a show, and suddenly it’s three hours later. Leaving wet clothes in the washer is the fastest way to develop that sour, mildew smell. Bacteria thrive in damp, dark environments.
If you forget a load, don’t just throw it in the dryer and hope for the best; the smell often gets baked in. You’ll likely need to rewash it, wasting time and water. Use the delay start feature on your washer so the cycle finishes right when you wake up or get home from work, and move them to the dryer immediately.
5. You’re Mixing Whites, Darks, and Denim
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Throwing everything in together is a gamble. Dark dyes bleed, turning your crisp white socks a sad shade of grey. Heavy fabrics like denim, with zippers and buttons, can rub abrasively against delicate t-shirts, causing pilling and holes.
Take the extra five minutes to sort. Separate by color (whites, lights, darks) and by fabric weight. Washing heavy towels with light sheets usually results in the sheets getting trapped inside the towels and not drying properly. Proper sorting extends the life of your clothes significantly.
6. You Treat the Dryer Like a Blast Furnace
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
High heat isn’t always the answer. While it dries clothes faster, the “High” setting is brutal on fabrics. It cooks the fibers, leading to shrinkage, fading, and weakened elasticity (goodbye, favorite leggings). It can also set stains that didn’t quite come out in the wash.
For most loads, the “Medium” or “Regular” setting is plenty. For knits and workout gear, “Low” is even better. It might take an extra 10 minutes, but your clothes will look newer for much longer. And if you can, line dry whenever possible, it’s free and gentle.
7. You Never Clean the Machine That Cleans Your Clothes
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
It sounds counterintuitive, but your washing machine gets dirty. Detergent residue, minerals from hard water, and lint build up in the drum, gaskets, and dispensers. This creates a breeding ground for mold and odors that can transfer to your “clean” laundry.
Once a month, run an empty cycle with hot water and a washing machine cleaner (or vinegar and baking soda). Wipe down the rubber door seal where gross sludge likes to hide, and leave the door open between loads to let the drum dry out. A clean machine equals fresh clothes.
8. You’re Folding Damp Clothes
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Patience is a virtue, especially with laundry. Pulling clothes out of the dryer when they are “mostly” dry and folding them puts you on the fast track to a musty closet. Trapped moisture in folded stacks encourages mildew growth, especially in thick items like denim or towels.
Ensure items are bone dry before folding. If you want to avoid wrinkles, shake them out vigorously before tossing them in the dryer, and fold them immediately when the cycle ends. Warm clothes resist creases better than cold ones.
9. You’re Skipping the Stain Check
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
There is nothing more frustrating than pulling a clean shirt out of the dryer only to find the stain is still there, and now, thanks to the dryer heat, it’s permanent. Heat sets stains, bonding the protein or oil to the fiber.
Make it a habit to check stained items before they go into the dryer. If the spot is still visible, treat it again and rewash. It takes a minute to check, but it saves the garment. Keep a stain stick near the hamper to treat spots as soon as you take the clothes off, giving the pretreatment time to work.
10. You Abuse the Fabric Softener
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Commercial fabric softeners smell great, but they operate by coating fibers with a thin, waxy layer. This layer makes towels less absorbent (they just push water around rather than soaking it up) and can trap odors in athletic wear. It also gums up your washing machine over time.
Ditch the liquid softener for wool dryer balls. They bounce around in the dryer to naturally soften clothes, reduce static, and cut down drying time by separating the wet items. If you miss the scent, add a few drops of essential oil to the balls before tossing them in.
Is Your Laundry Room Working Against You?
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Now that you’ve optimized your washing habits, take a look at the space itself. Is your laundry room a chaotic mess of detergent bottles and mismatched socks? A little organization goes a long way.
Consider adding open shelving for easy access to supplies, or using a “lost and found” basket for those wayward items. If you’re looking to bring some life into the space, check out our guide on 5 houseplants that thrive in high humidity, perfect for the warm, moist environment of a laundry room.