Most people don't ruin their clothes in the dryer-they ruin them before they ever get there. The way you sort, wash, and dry your laundry has a bigger impact on your wardrobe than you think.
Faded colors, stretched necklines, and pilled fabrics don't happen overnight-they're the result of repeated small mistakes that slowly wear everything down.
The good news is that fixing these habits is easy and can make your clothes last years longer without spending a dime more on detergent or fancy fabric softeners.
Overloading the washer
Stuffing the washer might feel efficient, but it keeps your clothes from getting truly clean. When there's no space for water to circulate, dirt and detergent get trapped in the fabric instead of rinsed away.
That overcrowding also increases friction, which causes fading, pilling, and stretched seams. Leave enough room so your clothes can move freely-the extra load might take more time, but your wardrobe will thank you.
Using too much detergent
More detergent doesn't mean cleaner clothes. In fact, excess soap leaves residue that makes fabrics stiff, attracts more dirt, and dulls colors. High-efficiency machines need far less detergent than most people think.
Use the measuring lines on your cap or try half your usual amount-you'll probably notice clothes feel softer and smell fresher. It's one of the easiest changes you can make to extend the life of every piece.
Washing everything in hot water
Hot water is great for disinfecting towels and sheets, but it's too harsh for most clothing. It fades colors, weakens fibers, and can shrink natural fabrics like cotton and wool.
Cold or warm water gets the job done for everyday laundry and keeps materials intact. Unless you're sanitizing something, skip the hot setting-it's doing more harm than good.
Skipping delicates cycles
When you toss lightweight fabrics in with jeans and towels, they don't stand a chance. Lace, silk, athletic wear, and anything labeled "delicate" should always be washed gently or in a mesh bag.
The agitation in a normal cycle stretches or tears fine fibers. Separating them might feel like an extra step, but it's what keeps your clothes looking new instead of worn-out.
Using fabric softener on everything
Fabric softener leaves a coating that can ruin certain materials over time. It clogs athletic fabrics so they stop wicking sweat and breaks down the elasticity in leggings, bras, and spandex.
If you like softer clothes, try using white vinegar instead-it removes residue without damaging fibers. Save fabric softener for towels or bedding only.
Ignoring the care label
Care tags exist for a reason. When you ignore the "hand wash only" or "lay flat to dry" instructions, you're not just risking shrinkage-you're shortening the life of the item entirely.
Even washing on the wrong setting or drying too hot can destroy the structure of certain fabrics. Take 10 seconds to check the tag before tossing it in-you'll save yourself from ruined clothes later.
Leaving wet clothes in the washer
Forgetting a load overnight might not seem like a big deal, but damp clothes sitting in a closed machine breed mildew fast. That smell doesn't always come out, even with rewashing.
The moisture also weakens fibers and can cause discoloration. If you can't dry them right away, at least spread them out or hang them up until you can.
Using high heat in the dryer
High heat is the quickest way to shrink, fade, and weaken clothes. Elastic waistbands, synthetic fabrics, and cotton tees all break down faster when exposed to high temperatures.
Switch to a low or medium setting-or better yet, air dry when possible. It might take longer, but your clothes will keep their shape and texture much longer.
Skipping zipper and button checks
Zippers and metal buttons can snag delicate fabrics or punch holes in lighter materials during the wash. It only takes one forgotten zipper to ruin a shirt sleeve.
Zip everything up and button larger items before tossing them in. That small step protects both the hardware and whatever else is in the load.
Neglecting your washing machine
If your washer smells musty or leaves lint behind, it's probably overdue for cleaning. Residue buildup transfers right onto your clothes, dulling colors and trapping odors.
Run a cleaning cycle with white vinegar or a washing machine cleaner once a month. A clean washer means cleaner clothes-and far fewer "why do my shirts smell weird?" moments.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
Leave a Reply