It’s easy to think that more soap equals cleaner shirts, but overcomplicating the process can lead to dull fabrics and hidden textures. Whether it’s clogging the drum too full or miscalculating how your local water affects the sod, these seemingly small mistakes do more than just waste money. They actually damage and wear out your wardrobe.
It’s what we do laundry at home, efficiency pays off in clothes that feel softer, look better and last longer. So what separates a laundry routine that really works from one that’s slowly destroying your closet?
Getting those details right is often the difference between jeans and cotton sneakers that last for years and ones that disintegrate, wrinkle or fall apart long before their time.
“Although there are no standard procedures, it is considered best practice to maintain strict standards,” said Brahim Agzoul, acting housekeeping manager at Kasbah Tamadot, a five-star resort known for its soft bedding, towels and linens.
Agzoul’s job is to ensure that all laundry comes out clean and soft and to keep those fine linens strong for as long as possible. We asked Agzoul to break down the biggest laundry mistakes most of us make every week.
1. Sorting clothes the wrong way
You should be planning clothes for more than lights and darks, says Agzoul.
While many people understand the importance of separating clothes by color to prevent potential dye transfer, it is equally important to consider the type of fabric and washing needs. “Mixing things can lead to injury and improper cleaning,” Agzoul stressed.
Instead, consider a customizable, multi-compartment laundry tub that goes beyond white, black and dry cleaning. This will allow different categories, such as fragile or towels, to better identify items that may require special care or that may not withstand the rigors of conventional machines.
Additionally, be sure not to overload your washer; leave shirts unzipped. This will ensure consistent soaking and drying, preventing snags and tears.
2. Excessive use of detergents and softeners
Measure and use the right amount of detergent to avoid damaging clothes and irritating your skin.
“It’s a common misconception that most detergents are the same as clean clothes,” says Agzoul. “In fact, more soap stays on fabrics, which can cause skin irritation.”
In addition, excess detergent, especially in high-efficiency machine models, can damage clothes by penetrating deeply into the fibers, often bypassing the spin mode and baking in the clothes during the drying process.
For most medium-sized loads (12 to 15 pounds), an ounce of detergent is enough — even less if concentrated. A standard washing cap is two ounces. Anything else, and you’re not only wasting that liquid soap, but you could be causing problems for your skin and clothes.
If you’ve been using a full 2-ounce cap, try reducing it to one for the next load. If the clothes come out smelling good and looking clean, you can assume that you have used them a lot.
3. Using bleach
Most cleaning experts suggest using bleach sparingly, if at all.
Most laundry experts advise against the strongest additive of all: bleach. Instead, consider a sodium percarbonate product like this one OxiCleangentle on clothes and skin, but retains the same radiant and luminous qualities as its normal counterpart.
And if you want your clothes to be soft, skip the fabric softener that creates residue altogether. Alternatively, add a cup of white vinegar during the wash cycle or ½ cup of baking soda during the wash cycle to lower the pH levels and ensure that the detergent breaks down, producing a fluffier result.
4. Not cleaning the washing machine
Regular cleaning of your washing machine is the best thing you can do for yourself.
The machine we use to clean our dirty linens can, unsurprisingly, dirty itself, especially in hallways and walls that trap moisture, allowing mold to stain the fabric and odors far from the start.
Over time, residue can build up inside the machine,” explains Agzoul. “Special detergents designed to clean the machine help prevent this.”
A few of the most reviewed options on Amazon include It worksIt is designed as a tablet that is easy to use, and this fungus and stain remover gel working with rubber stamps.
5. Bathing at the wrong temperature
The temperature at which you wash clothes is important.
The recommended washing temperatures are not only for good cleaning but also to prolong the life of the contents.
As a general safety rule, especially when mixing whites and darks, choose a cold or room temperature wash to prevent fabrics from fading or, worse, bleeding and staining other items in the drum. Keep the rotation speed in mind, too – delicate items like bras, bathing suits and stretchy underwear can stretch and become misshapen if they’re tossed around too quickly.
6. Drying at the wrong temperature
The drying temperature is very important in protecting your clothes over time.
Not only are many Americans guilty of blowing up their sensitive clothes with temperatures that rival those of a fighter jet engine, but we also put the wrong types of clothes in the dryer.
“Using too much heat or drying inappropriate fabrics in machines often leads to shrinkage,” says Agzoul, who advises everyone to look at care labels as a general rule of thumb.
Additionally, it’s time to ditch the dryer sheets and replace them with wool balls. Not only are scented sheets full of waxy residue that can build up in your dryer and become a major fire hazard, they’re also disposable and environmentally unfriendly.
7. Careful labels
Always check the labels of items before you wash them.
Tags sewn into clothing are there for a reason. We’ve broken down the definitions of each in this guide. Use them as a basic level guide to proper care, especially if you’re not sure where to start with wash and dry cycles and temperatures.
“Care labels are often overlooked, but they are important. They provide guidance on washing, drying, ironing and ironing,” says Agzoul.
Of course, when all else fails, bring your favorite items to a dry cleaner for a professional opinion. If an article of clothing has a sensitive price, it costs more to have it professionally cleaned, allowing you to enjoy wearing it for years to come.
