Washing clothes is a time-consuming task, and it can be incredibly frustrating when things go wrong. According to Pensionist, there are certain "mistakes" you should avoid when washing clothes.
Not Separating Colors Emma Rostron, general manager at One Less Thing, said: "It may seem like a tedious task, but you should always separate your clothes into whites, light colors, dark colors, and delicate pieces." She continued, "This will help you avoid color transfer and ensure that your clothes are washed at the right temperature, as the wrong temperature can cause them to shrink or fade and even result in clothes no longer having the desired color." She added, "For example, washing red clothes with white ones in a hot wash can leave everything pink." This can also help keep colors vibrant and bright, including white clothes, which often can look dull over time.
Overloading the Washing Machine It can be tempting to stuff the washing machine full – especially in these times of high energy bills. However, this can result in poor performance and even damage the washing machine. This is because the drum becomes unbalanced or too heavy and is difficult to spin. Emma added, "A good rule of thumb is to fill the drum about three-quarters full, so there is enough space to fit the side of your hand between the edge of the drum and your clothes." She continued, "Overloading the machine can also cause clothes to rub against each other, which can make them wear out faster and form those annoying pills that make clothes look worn and old." Instead, consider splitting it into two smaller loads rather than overloading the machine.
Using Too Much Detergent Using too much detergent can lead to excess foam and poor rinsing, which, according to the expert, can leave clothes with a sticky film. To determine how much to use, always check the back of the label, as there is usually a guide. The dirtier the clothes, the more detergent they typically need to remove stains.
