Without a doubt, no one likes it when the colors of their clothes start to fade, when the fabric starts to fray, and when their clothes starts to look really, really worn out. And it’s not only the cheaply made clothes that get damaged easy. Actually, your washing machine plays a huge part in preserving your clothes, so it’s essential to know how to best preserve your clothes. Because it’s one thing to buy frayed jeans, and another to fray your jeans by washing and storing them improperly. So keep reading to learn 7 great laundry tips on how to stop ruining your clothes in the washing machine and keep them looking and feeling their best.
1. Wash by the type of fabric, not by color
There’s a common misconception that the right way to increase the lifespan of your clothes is to sort them by color before washing them in the washing machine. Actually, this won’t do anything – that’s right, it won’t even help you keep the colors of your clothes bright. The right way to do your washing is to sort your clothes by type of fabric. When you wash all your T-shirts together, you avoid buttons and zippers beating the fabric of the shirts – and this will increase the lifespan of the fabric. And don’t forget to turn your clothes upside down – this will prevent the colors of your shirts.
2. Zip and button clothes
If you leave buttons unbuttoned and zippers unzipped before you put the clothes in the washing machine, you won’t just damage the zippers and buttons – they’ll damage the fabric of your clothes, and, on top of all, they can even damage your washing machine, too. Zipping your clothes and buttoning them won’t cost you anything, but it’ll really help your clothes in the long run.
3. When possible, avoid the dryer
Avoid putting your clothes in the drying machine. The hot air used to dry your clothes can shrink them, cause the colors to fade and fibers to fray a lot quicker. On the contrary, letting your clothes air dry won’t damage them. However, always dry clothes upside down – this will preserve the colors vivid for a longer period and it won’t damage silk screened clothes.
4. Use cold water
Using cold water to wash your clothes won’t just lower your electricity bill – it’ll help you preserve your clothes. Natural fabrics such as cotton and wool tend to shrink when washed in warm water. Moreover, clothes that were dyed using cheap dying methods tend to color-bleed when washed in warm or hot water. And if you don’t want to have to deep clean your washing machine because your clothes color-bled during washing, you’ll use cold water when washing them.
5. Invest in laundry bags
To protect your more delicate clothes like silk pajamas and underwear, buy a few laundry bags and use them when you wash your delicates. This will also spare you the quest for finding the missing sock when your washing machine’s washing cycle is over. What’s more, you can recycle old laundry bags by turning them into a laundry basket, a recycling bin, or even into a cleaning cloth, too.
6. Use the right detergent
Whatever techniques you use to protect your clothes from wearing out too soon, if you don’t use the right detergent, you might as well stop washing your clothes whatsoever.
7. Read labels
Always read the labels of your clothes and wash them as stated by the manufacturer. After all, manufacturers know best and if you follow their advice, your clothes will stay by your side forever.
Bonus Tip
And, of course, don’t forget to regularly clean your washing machine. Because a dirty washing machine can’t make clothes clean. Once a month, put ¾ cup of white vinegar in your detergent dispenser and run your empty washing machine on the hot water cycle. This won’t just eliminate all bacteria, but it’ll also dissolve any remaining residue in your washer, too.
These tips are really useful, especially the final one. I’m always lazy to clean the washing machine, whoops! I know I should, cuz the waching machine can be dirtier than the toilet bowl….yucks! Haha ~
Zip and button clothes! That is so true! Clothes with such should be zipped and buttoned before washing to keep them in shape too in fact. I’m a frequent user of the dryer though but it seems I’ll have to try reduce that because for sure, since I started that, my white towel got worn out as soon. Great tips for us .
Wow some really amazing tips. I would always unbutton the clothes and wash them in hot water. I swould rather use cold water now.
I must keep this in mind because yes, I have destroyed some clothes. I managed to ruin a sweater not too long ago. I thought I was washing it correctly, but no.
I am terrible about just throwing everything in together, and it has ruined a shirt or two in the past. I pretty much only use cold water though, and I am getting better about separating them out.
Our washing machine destroys a lot of clothing, but it’s not the way I’m washing. I was using most all of your tips. It’s a front loader, and no matter what I do, long sleeve tops become entangled with one another time after time, which leads to them stretching out, and in some cases, ripping.
That’s a much needed reminder to clean the washing machine! I tend to forget. I like to use cold water as well!
I have shrunk and ruined almost ALL of my favorite shirts. Its so heartbreaking. I put them aside to wash alone, but still forget not to toss them into the dryer!
So true. Thankfully, our laundrywoman does a good job on our clothes even those she uses the washer and dryer. She’s a great help.
Now to just get the family to button and zipper. I am more a toss it all in gal
OMG I’m doing it all wrong!
Oh my gosh, I am not doing half of these things!! It makes sense why my things keep getting ruined!!
All these tips make so much sense, yet I have never thought of putting these to practice! Thanks for sharing!
You are right. I always sorted my clothes in accordance to colour when washing them but I had no idea that it is a better method to organise them by fabric instead. Definitely a good way of keeping our clothes intact.
Hands up I am awful for destroying my clothes in the washing machine I often just bung everything in together and hope for the best.
I have to admit I am pretty bad, I still just do the college style, dump it all in and push the button style of laundry. But these are some good tips I should keep in mind when washing some of my more important items.
Great article with some common sense tips which we forget in daily chores.
I have no idea how I never knew these tricks! All the clothes I loved that could have lasted so much longer! Thank you for this!!
I completely agree on laundry bags…very veyr useful..especially for delicates and inner wears.
I thought I knew it all when it came to laundry. Not so much. I’m definitely going to heed your advice and start washing by fabric instead of color. Also, who knew about the white vinegar trick to clean your washing machine? You can bet I’ll be doing that tomorrow! x
Whoa, these are really useful tips. I love the bonus tip. I know it’s good to clean the washing machine regularly but most of the time laziness would kick in, haha. Apparently, the washing machine can be dirtier than the toilet bowl. oops…time to get some white vinegar 😀
Never thought that there are so many things to consider before washing our clothes. Have to stop everything I’m doing, and heed your advice.
I never thought about leaving clothes zipped up while washing them. Thanks for the awesome tips!
Now this is helpful information. My husband is going to love hearing this.
Nice idea, i normally split my clothes by colour. sometimes if i’m lazy, i just put them together hahaha
Awesome tips since we’re all using a washing machine to do the laundry. I like that you mentioned sorting according to the type of fabric, that helps so much in keeping the quality of your clothes in good condition.
These are really tips . My clothes usually get destroyed by color . And some times the detergent ruins it . Thanks for the tip I’ll keep these in mind for the next wash .
I’m forever doing this. Ugh. So annoying. Thanks for the tips
I needed this! I’m awful at ruining things in the wash, my fiance goes mad. Thanks for the tips!
Ami xxx
Before I start the laundry, I always separate the white ones from the colored ones. This is to keep their color vibrant and to avoid stains.
Some great tips here! I hate it when clothes just wear out through washing!
I didn’t know zipping an buttoning your clothes would make a difference. I’ll have to try it while working on today’s load.
Never thought of buttoning sndzipping during awash cycle. Makes sense though. Thanks for the tips.
These tips can really save the day! The bonus tip especially caught my attention. Cleaning washing machine is actually quite important so that you do not end up making your clothes even dirtier.
Great tips. I’ve had loads of trouble with my washing machine eating my clothes, perhaps we need a new washing machine!
Oh what a shame the dryer can effect your clothes in that way. I really must reduce my drying time. Some really useful tips.
Thank you for sharing this info. I have some problems with my laundry.
These tips are super helpful! I learned a lot from these
Avoid the dryer is the best tip for us, just hanging clothes saves their “life”. Our dryer ripped so many items.
These are such great tips! I’ve been teaching my kids to do their own laundry, so these will definitely come in handy.
great tips, i do use cold water and never use the dryer, i have never thought of washing by type of fabric, i usualy wash by color. but i will implement this tips now
This is one of the most helpful blog posts. I wish I learned this before I moved out of my parents house. 🙁
These are some great tips. I always use cold water but I need to be better about buttoning and zipping things.
I separate whites from colored clothes, and handwash my lingeries. My clothes doesn’t need heavy spinning, unless they are too dirty.
Wow!! I am glad that I came across to your blog. Thanks for sharing these awesome tips. I really needed this.
Amazing tips! That’s a much needed reminder to clean the washing machine! Thanks for sharing
I heard the same tips about the zipper and button on your pants when you do laundry from my Mom. Now I do not worry about having broken zipper again. Simple things like this makes your life easy.
I literally go through a tonne of clothes, especially for m toddler. I think i will putting into practise some of these tips.
I’ve been washing clothes for about 20 years and I never knew to wash by fabric not by color! These are some awesome tips, I hate when I mess up my clothing. Thanks for sharing.
So, I have been doing so much wrong for so many years! I will be changing so much today to save my clothes.
A lot of things to keep in mind! Seems I’m doing most of my laundry the wrong way. Good mention on separating by fabric, I have always separated my clothes by color and I had never unbuttoned my clothes before washing. No wonder I get most of clothes destroyed. Thanks for these tips!
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These are all great tips! I didn’t know some of these. Thank you for sharing and I will keep these in mind the next time I wash my clothes! 🙂
Great tips. I also wash with like fabric rather than color. Of course most of my colors would be categorized as darks anyway. Laundry detergent is also a huge consideration.
This is some really great advice for how to make your clothing last. I have always sorted by color more so than fabric.
I need remember all of these. I am so sick of always buying new because I am too lazy to wash the correct way.
I always use cold water so at least I am good there! But these tips are great
This is super helpful! Every once in awhile we lose a whole load because we made a mistake when washing in a hurry. So frustrating!
These are great tips. I wouldn’t have thought of hanging clothes upside down before, but I will have to think about it in the future. And using the vinegar to get the bacteria out is new to me. I will have to remember this.
These are some really good tips. I seldom read labels ;-). I just need to separate the colors then put soap and fabric conditioner and turn the washing on.
Some greats tips here. I never read the labels and really should. I’ve ruined so many items of clothing. My other half now does his own laundry lol