7 Mistakes Everyone Makes with Their Washing Machine
Leave zippers open and buttons closed
Mistake: Pants and jackets simply fit into the drum as they were taken off.
Reality: Open zippers act like tiny saws and damage delicate fabrics. Closed buttons, on the other hand, are subjected to a lot of tension during the spin cycle and can tear.
Tip: Always close zippers, but leave buttons on shirts and bed linens open.
Using fabric softener on the wrong fabrics
Mistake: Fabric softener is added to every wash for the scent.
Reality: Fabric softener coats fibers with a thin film. In sportswear, it clogs breathable membranes; in towels, it drastically reduces absorbency; and elastane (e.g. in jeans or leggings) loses its elasticity.
Tip: Use fabric softener sparingly and avoid it altogether on sportswear, microfiber, towels, and wool. Alternatively, a little white vinegar in the fabric softener compartment can help.
Overfilling the drum
Mistake: The laundry is packed as tightly as possible in the washing machine to save on wash cycles.
