Using Too Much Fabric Softener
Go easy on fabric softener! You would be surprised, other than the fresh vagrant smell, how little difference fabric softener actually makes. And if you thought fabric softener was the shortcut to soft and fluffy towels, think again. Ironically, fabric softener leaves a coating on towels, which reduces their absorbency and eventually leads to that scratchy cardboard feel. TIP: Instead of using fabric softener to wash your towels, halve the amount of detergent you use and add two tablespoons of white wine vinegar to the drum, cheaper and more effective!
Leaving Washing In The Machine Too Long
When you’re working long hours, the temptation can be to stick a washing load on before you head out to work or before you go to bed resulting in your clothes sitting in there for a good few hours. But leaving damp washing in the machine can lead to a build-up of bacteria, leaving an old damp smell in your machine – and on your washing. And if that wasn’t reason enough to whip out your washing straight away, it could also spare you some tedious ironing time as hanging up your clothes immediately after drying, helps to minimise wrinkles and the need for ironing.
Over-Using The Dryer
We all know the more often we machine-wash our dark clothes, the quicker they will fade – and that turning our black jeans inside out before washing will help to keep the colour true. But did you know that the dryer is just as big a culprit for fading fabrics? Hang coloured clothes to dry to help prevent them from fading. If you do need to use the dryer, you can speed up drying time by throwing a clean dry towel in the dryer with your wet clothes to help absorb the moisture.
Not Giving Your Machine TLC
It stands to reason, a dirty, rank-smelling washing machine can lead to dirty, rank-smelling laundry. To keep yours sparkling clean and fresh-smelling, give it a good clean once a month. To get rid of detergent residue, run on a hot cycle, while empty, with two cups of bleach in the detergent compartment of the drawer. Next, run a 40 degree cycle, with two cups of white vinegar in the detergent compartment, to eliminate nasty odours. In between times, try adding a little baking soda to your wash. This will not only help to eliminate stubborn odours from your washing, it will give your machine a freshness boost, too.
Not Separating Fabrics
When it comes to mixing up our washing-load colours, we’ve all been there, done that and bought the T-shirt… But did you know that mixing up your washing fabrics could be damaging your clothes, too? Towels, for instance, can agitate other more delicate fabrics and eventually lead to pilling, over time. Also, bear in mind the wool cycle exists for a reason. Even if your woolen sweater says it can be washed at 40 degrees, don’t be tempted to chuck it in with the rest of your clothes. The wool cycle is especially gentle, to help keep your knitwear in shape. Gently pulling woollens back into shape immediately after washing, and drying flat will help, too.