10 washing mistakes that spoil things and appliances

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Over the years of washing, even innocent mistakes turn into harmful and dangerous habits. If you want your appliances to last longer, and your clothes to always be clean and have a pleasant aroma, it's time to stop doing several things at once.

1. Rubbing stains vigorously

This only aggravates the situation and wears out the fabric. It is better to act carefully and methodically. Deal with the stain immediately – the less time it spends on the clothes, the better. Always use a white cloth, it won't dye your favorite shirt or skirt a different color. And work the stain from the outer edges to the center to prevent it from spreading further.

2. Wash dry-clean only items

Of course, sometimes it’s okay to wash them by hand, for example, if they’re made of natural fibers, like silk or linen. First, you just need to check the color fastness. To do this, dip a cotton swab in a mild detergent and run it along a hidden seam or other inconspicuous area to see if the dye comes off. If not, you can dip the garment in the soapy solution once or twice, rinse, and then immediately wrap it in a towel to get rid of excess moisture.

However, some things still cannot be washed in this way. Among them are leather, suede, some types of silk, any clothing with decorative elements, as well as with a complex cut and rigid structure, such as jackets.

3. Use too much powder

Excess foam can collect dirt and accumulate in places where it is very difficult to remove when rinsing, for example, behind the collar of a shirt or in the pocket of jeans. As a result, bacteria appear there.

To prevent this from happening, use half the amount of detergent you usually put in the machine. And if the clothes are not washed enough, try gradually increasing the amount of detergent.

However, there are exceptions. With increased water hardness, you need to use more detergent than usual. Manufacturers indicate recommendations on the packaging, so be sure to study them carefully.

4. Do not close the zipper all the way

Metal teeth can catch on other clothes and damage them. The solution to the problem is very simple – always close the zippers all the way before putting things in the washing machine. And to additionally protect particularly delicate clothes, wash them in a separate bag.

5. Button up shirts

This seems like a perfectly reasonable idea. In fact, such a mistake leads to the fact that the buttons come off quite quickly. That is why before loading into the car, you should carefully check that all the buttons on the clothes are unbuttoned.

6. It is wrong to load socks into the washing machine

Always put them in the drum first. That way they won't stick to other clothes and get lost. Or use a special laundry bag to make sure no socks get lost.

7. Don't level your washing machine

If the appliance is installed unevenly, the machine's feet can damage the floor covering due to vibration, and key components, such as shock absorbers or bearings, wear out prematurely. In addition, the machine is very noisy in this position. Therefore, adjust the appliance's feet, following the instructions, or call a specialist and make sure that everything is installed correctly.

8. Take a break between washing

After one cycle is finished, many people wait about an hour before starting the next one. In fact, washing without breaks is not only convenient, but also efficient. The heat that remains after the previous program reduces electricity costs, and you get an extra hour as a bonus.

9. Ignore the washing machine settings

Carefully study the instructions and follow them. Try not to load too many things. They need space, otherwise they will wrinkle and wash poorly. The machine will also suffer – too many clothes put pressure on the shock absorbers and bearings.

10. Not cleaning the dryer

The device accumulates remnants of threads and lint, which can clog the air duct and even cause a fire. It is quite simple to understand that the machine is clogged – things begin to dry for more than an hour in modes when this should not be the case.

Therefore, try to tidy up the dryer at least once a year, checking the instructions, and thoroughly clean the filter with a toothbrush and detergent.

Another little life hack: clothes will wrinkle much less if you fold them while they are still hot after drying. Before doing this, you need to quickly shake each item. And if you don't have time for this, after shaking, leave the things on a flat surface, neatly placing one on top of the other.