Laundry seems pretty simple until you realize some of the habits that make clothes smell better or feel softer can actually work against you. A few small mistakes can affect everything from how absorbent your towels are to how well your workout clothes perform and may even leave buildup inside your dryer.
Here are nine laundry mistakes worth reconsidering the next time you toss in a load.
Using Dryer Sheets With Every Load
Dryer sheets leave behind a coating that helps clothing feel softer and reduces static, but that same residue can build up on fabrics and inside your dryer. You don’t necessarily need to eliminate them completely, but using them automatically with every load isn’t always the best choice.
Tossing Dryer Sheets in With Towels
That soft, fluffy feeling dryer sheets give towels comes with a downside: the coating left on the fibers can reduce their ability to absorb water. If your bath or kitchen towels aren’t soaking up moisture like they used to, your laundry routine could be contributing to the problem.
Using Fabric Softener on Kids’ Pajamas
Some children’s sleepwear is designed to meet specific flammability requirements, and fabric softeners can interfere with flame-resistant fabrics. Check the garment’s care label before adding softener rather than treating children’s pajamas like an ordinary load.
Washing Activewear With Fabric Softener
Moisture-wicking workout clothes are designed to pull sweat away from your skin, but fabric-softening products can leave a coating behind that interferes with those fibers. Skip the softener when washing leggings, athletic shirts, performance socks, and other moisture-wicking clothing.
Never Deep-Clean Your Dryer’s Lint Screen
Removing visible lint after a load isn’t the same as cleaning the screen. Residue from laundry products can gradually coat the mesh and restrict airflow, so periodically washing the lint screen can help remove buildup that simply pulling off the lint won’t.
Assuming More Fabric Softener Means Softer Clothes
Pouring in extra fabric softener won’t necessarily leave you with noticeably softer laundry. Using more than recommended can instead leave additional residue on your clothing, making proper measuring one small laundry habit worth paying attention to.
Ignoring the Care Label
It’s easy to throw similar-looking clothes into the same load, but not every fabric should be treated the same way. Performance clothing, towels, children’s sleepwear, and specialty fabrics may have washing instructions that are very different from your everyday T-shirts and jeans.
Using Fabric Softener When You Have Sensitive Skin
Fragrances and other ingredients in some fabric-softening products may irritate people with sensitive skin. If you’ve noticed irritation, consider simplifying your laundry routine and choosing products formulated without added fragrances or dyes.
Mixing Vinegar and Bleach
Both products have their place in household cleaning, but never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach, as it can release dangerous chlorine gas. If you use either product for laundry, use it only as directed and keep the two completely separate.
