Common Laundry Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Laundry might seem simple: throw clothes in, add detergent, press start; but it's also where many people make small mistakes that cause big problems. Shirts shrink, colours fade, and stains stay put.
It's frustrating when your favourite clothes come out looking worse than before. These slip-ups not only damage fabrics but also waste time, money, and energy. Most of these problems are easy to fix once you know what to avoid.

1. Overloading the Washing Machine

Packing the washer may not be efficient, but a full washer does not allow clothes to move freely. This prevents detergent and water from moving about effectively, resulting in dirty clothes and undue stress on your machine.

2. Using Too Much Detergent

The general perception is that the more soap used, the cleaner the clothes are. In practice, the excess detergent deposits residue on fabrics, stiffens them, and even clogs your washer.

3. Ignoring Care Labels

Each clothing label holds information on the washing temperature, drying control, and ironing. Failure to follow these instructions will likely result in shrinkage, dulling, or damaged fabrics.

4. Skipping Stain Pretreatment

By throwing colored garments directly into the washing machine, chances are high that the stain will become permanent, especially when the garment is heated.

5. Neglecting Washer & Dryer Maintenance

A filthy washing machine or blocked dryer vent will not only smell unpleasant, but it can also affect the level to which clothes are washed and might even cause a fire.

6. Mixing Colours and Fabrics

Tossing whites, darks, and delicate fabrics together often leads to colour bleeding or damaged clothing.

7. Using the Wrong Water Temperature

Warm water can sanitize, but it may cause shrinkage or weakening of the fabric. Cold water will conserve energy and could fail to get out dark spots.

8. Forgetting Zippers, Buttons, and Pockets

Washing clothes with open zippers, buttoned shirts, or items left in pockets can snag fabrics or even break the machine.

9. Overdrying or Misusing Fabric Softeners

Excessive heat in the dryer may shrink or destroy the fibers of the fabric. In the meantime, softeners can provide deposits or diminish towel absorbency.

Gold Dry Cleaners is ready to assist you with professional laundry and dry cleaning services. So your clothes can always receive optimal attention.

Final Thoughts

By preventing these mistakes in doing laundry, you would be able to extend the life of your clothes, have fabrics looking fresh, and limit damage to your appliances. A slight bit of extra attention to doing your laundry does not hurt!