Are You Making These Laundry Mistakes?

Not only is spring cleaning an opportunity to toss out junk, it's also a good time to look at your current cleaning habits. Have you gotten lax when doing the laundry, and started skipping steps that could be saving time and money? Here are some common laundry mistakes you're likely making that could be harming your clothes. 

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Clothing manufacturers are required by law to put care labels on their clothes. This gives you the best advice on how to clean them without damaging the fabric. The maker knows the materials used to make the garment and provides care instructions accordingly. 

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You likely have multiple settings on your washer and dryer but never use them all. It's not a bad idea to pull out the user manual and review the different settings to make sure you're doing right by your clothes, saving energy by running the right cycles, and getting the most out of your machines. 

Related: 9 Things You Should Absolutely Never Put in the Washing Machine

Many times the clothing label will tell you the best detergent for a garment. For example, mild detergent is commonly recommended for delicates and baby clothes. Mild detergents are lower in chemicals and less damaging to delicate fabrics. Woolite and Tide Free & Gentle are common mild detergents. Other options include organic and natural detergents that are dye- and bleach-free. 

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On top of using a mild detergent, hand-wash delicates or put them in the washing machine on a low or delicate cycle. Squeeze out extra water gently after washing, or roll the garment in a dry towel and repeat until the moisture is out. Avoid wringing and twisting. Lay flat to dry, and if the label says it's okay to iron, use a low setting on slightly damp fabric.

Hot water is harsh on clothes. It can cause the fibers to break down faster than they otherwise would. Opt for cold or warm water unless absolutely necessary.

Sorting clothes by color may not be necessary — if you're using cold water and the clothes have been washed before. But it's a good practice to avoid bleeding and keep whites looking as white as possible. Sort dark colors together, pinks and reds together, and whites together.

The longer a stain sits untreated, the harder it will be to get out. Treat stains as soon as possible for easier removal.

Not all stains should be treated the same. Petroleum-based dish soap such as Dawn works on grease stains, while cold water helps with blood, chocolate, and mustard. The American Cleaning Institute has a comprehensive list of how to clean different stains.

Rubbing can stretch out and damage fabric, potentially making a stain spread. Instead, dab gently from the outside of the stain toward the center.

Too much detergent can actually hinder cleaning. The excess can get stuck in hard-to-rinse spots like the collar and cause bacteria buildup, not to mention a whole host of other problems. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging, and if you see suds at the end of the cycle, you're using too much. 

Related: Do Diluted Detergents, Soaps, and Shampoos Still Work?

Want to get a lot of clothes washed in a short amount of time? Resist the urge to overload your washing machine. While it seems like a quick fix, it's not. Clothes must be able to move around freely to dislodge dirt, while freely moving water is better able to wash dirt away.

It's easier on your clothes to line dry them than to expose them to the heat of the dryer. Jeans won't fade as quickly and the rest of your wardrobe will show less wear. Line drying also helps prevent fabrics like cotton from pilling. If you must use the dryer, consider a lower heat setting.

Cleaning your dryer is important not only for drying clothes faster but for preventing fire. Between every load, clean the lint trap and screen. Every six to twelve months, have the dryer vent professionally cleaned. In between cleanings, use a vacuum attachment to suck out any clogs or built-up lint. If the screen on your dryer vent is looking gunky, wash it in the sink with warm water and dish soap. If you notice your clothes taking longer to dry than normal, it's probably time to get the vent cleaned.