10 Common Laundry Mistakes That Can Leave Clothes Smelling Worse, Wearing Out Faster, Or Coming Out Of The Washer Still Dirty

Susan Parker

13 minutes ago

Laundry is one chore most of us have done thousands of times. That is exactly why bad habits sneak in and stay for decades.

AARP’s 2023 Smart Guide to Laundry, written by Jodi Helmer, gathered advice from fabric care experts, a Consumer Reports appliance expert and the host of a laundry show. The AARP guide covers more than 20 mistakes in all.

Here are 10 of them, with the expert who explained each one. Some leave clothes smelling musty, some wear them out early, and some send them out of the washer still dirty.

Skipping The Sort Can Shorten The Life Of Your Clothes

Patric Richardson, host of The Laundry Guy, told AARP, “Sorting is going to make the clothes look better and last longer.”

Kim Romine, a fabric care scientist at Procter and Gamble, advises separating heavily soiled clothes so dirt does not spread to other items.

Ignoring The Care Label Can Mean Shrunken Clothes

Michelle Piombino of Henkel, the maker of Purex, said, “Reading the care tag instructions and noting the laundry symbols on your clothing is an essential step.”

AARP notes that ignoring the label can cause shrinkage and other damage. It takes only a few seconds to read the tag before the item goes in the machine.

Hot Water Can Set A Blood Stain For Good

Romine said that for stains like blood, “using warm or hot water can actually set the stain rather than remove it.” Cold water is generally the better choice.

She also advises washing stained items within a few hours, because stains become more difficult to remove once they set in.

Too Much Detergent Can Leave Clothes Dirtier Than You Think

Richardson’s advice on detergent is short: “Just don’t use too much of it.” AARP explains that excess detergent can leave residue that traps dirt in the fibers.

That means more soap does not equal cleaner clothes, which surprises many people. Measure with the cap or scoop that came with the bottle, and read the label for the right amount.

Regular Detergent In An HE Washer Can Clog The Pump

AARP says ordinary detergent is too sudsy for high-efficiency machines and can clog the pump, cause overheating or encourage mold.

Check the detergent label for the HE symbol, which is meant for those machines. A newer washer often comes with a manual that says which type to use.

Chlorine Bleach On Colors Can Leave Spots

Piombino calls chlorine bleach “a great and powerful laundry tool” for whites, but warns it can leave spots on colored clothing.

Oxygen bleach is safer for colors, AARP says, though it can damage silk and wool. Always read the directions on the bottle before using either kind.

An Overloaded Washer Leaves Little Room To Get Clean

Richardson says, “Clothes need a little room to move,” so water and clothes can circulate.

If you can barely close the door, that is a sign the load is too big, and some of those clothes may come out still dirty. Try splitting a big pile into two smaller loads.

Front-Loaders Can Grow Mold And Mildew From Too Much Soap

Richard Handel of Consumer Reports said overusing detergent or softener in front-loaders leaves a film where mold and mildew can grow. Wiping the gasket, the door and the dispenser after use helps prevent this.

It is one of the main reasons a washer, and the clothes in it, can start to smell. A quick wipe after the last load of the day is an easy habit to build.

Dryer Sheets And A Dirty Lint Filter Create Problems Of Their Own

Richardson calls dryer sheets “chemical-y and yucky.” AARP adds that residue can clog lint screens, reduce airflow and raise fire risk.

Handel says, “The lint filter should be cleaned after each use,” and that the duct should be cleaned periodically. AARP notes lint is a leading cause of house fires.

Storing Seasonal Clothes Unwashed Invites Musty Surprises

Piombino says washing clothes before storing them “can reduce the risk of smelly and musty surprises next season.”

If you pack away sweaters or coats for the summer, run them through the wash first, following the care label.

AARP’s guide goes further than these 10. On water temperature, Piombino advises warm or hot water for whites and cold or cool water for darks to prevent fading. Jessica Ek of the American Cleaning Institute recommends cold water as a default, noting that heating the water accounts for most of the energy used in washing.

Romine suggests skipping the high-heat sanitize cycle if your colors could fade. She also says to keep detergent in its original packaging, because it contains important information about dosing and proper usage.

The guide also carries a safety warning about laundry pods. It says several seniors have died after ingesting pods, so they should be kept out of reach of children, pets and people with dementia.

None of these fixes costs much, and most are about doing less: less soap, smaller loads, fewer shortcuts. A few small changes can make your clothes look better and last longer, and keep your machines running well.