Common mistakes you may be making with your laundry

Using Too Much Laundry Detergent

It’s easy to assume that more soap means cleaner clothes but residue from too much laundry detergent can make your clothes look dingy. It also wastes soap and can require extra wash or rinse cycles, which wastes water, energy, and money.

Overloading the Machine

You may feel good about cramming clothes into the washing machine, thinking you’re saving time or conserving water but the detergent needs space to move around. When you overload your washing machine, they turn into one large mass and it does not get cleaned properly. You may even notice damage on your garments because they are packed too closely and latch on to each other during wash.

Not Taking the Time to Sufficiently Separate Fabrics

Yes, we all know to sort our laundry by colour, but do you also sort by fabric type and dirtiness?

Me neither.

Leaving Your Wet Clothes in the Washer for Too Long

As soon as a batch finishes washing, transfer it to the dryer. Otherwise, in just eight to 12 hours, mold and mildew will start growing on your freshly cleaned clothes, turning them into sour smelling laundry. If a batch of clothes or towels slipped your mind, rewash it. Wondering how to get sour smell out of towels? Just add a cup of white vinegar to the batch along with the detergent you normally use.

Tumble Drying All Your Clothes

Yes, tumble drying is the fastest option, but this method also causes clothes to wear out prematurely. For the best results, continue to tumble dry towels and jeans so they don’t become crispy. Hang dry everything else you can, especially if the care instructions on the tag suggest “line dry” or “dip dry.” You’ll save money by helping your clothes last longer!