Do you ever think about your laundry routine? No, not the "why does this never end?" – but the way you do it.
Most of us do the laundry on autopilot: shove the clothes in, chuck in some detergent, press the button, try not to look at the mountain of dirty clothes that just keeps growing...
Your methods may be working well enough, but many of us unknowingly make mistakes that can affect the quality of our wash and how efficiently our machines work.
Many of us unknowingly make mistakes that affect the quality of our wash and how efficiently our machines work
Our resident whitegoods expert Denis Gallagher knows a thing or two about washing machines – he and our expert testers Shafi Noor and Sean Lim have been testing them for years, so they know what works and what doesn't.
Here are the top 10 washing machine mistakes that our experts say you should avoid.
1. Washing in warm water
Think you're getting a significantly better clean by washing your laundry in warm water?
Think again, says Shafi. "There's really not a big difference between washing in warm and washing in cold," he says.
There's really not a big difference between washing in warm and washing in cold
Shafi Noor, CHOICE washing machine tester
"Warm water will give you a slightly better wash, but when you factor in the cost of the electricity used to heat the water, you're not really coming out ahead by washing in warm."
Our expert tester puts washing machines through the wringer in our labs.
2. Using fabric softener
Fabric softener can leave your clothes smelling fresh and feeling soft. But, according to Denis, that's where any benefits stop.
The way fabric softener works is by coating the fabric fibres with petrochemicals such as silicone, which makes them feel more slippery and stand more upright, giving that soft and fluffy feeling.
"The whole point of washing your clothes is to get them clean, but fabric softener stays in the fabric so you're effectively putting petrochemicals back onto your clean clothes, and then wearing them against your skin," says Denis.
Fabric softeners also have three other nasty side effects.
"They make towels and cloth nappies less absorbent, which is basically the opposite of what you want," says Denis.
Fabric softeners make towels and cloth nappies less absorbent, which is basically the opposite of what you want
Denis Gallagher, CHOICE whitegoods expert
"And even worse, they reduce the fire retardancy of clothes, so they're absolutely not something you want to put on your kids' pyjamas.
"Plus, along with laundry detergent, fabric softeners cause scrud to build up in your machine, which can damage it or shorten its lifespan."
3. Using too much detergent
Are you guilty of adding an extra dash of detergent to a particularly dirty load of washing?
Or are you a stickler for the rules and always apply exactly the recommended amount?
Either way, you may just be doing your clothing – and your machine – more harm than good, says CHOICE whitegoods tester Sean.
"You don't need to use anywhere near as much detergent as the manufacturer recommends," he says.
"You can still get a great wash using as little as a third or even a quarter of a scoop."
And using too much detergent isn't just unnecessary, it can actually cause problems: "Too much detergent can overload your machine, which can cause damage or even make your machine lock up," Sean says.
"It can also leave residue in the fabric, which leaves white marks on your clothes, and this can irritate skin."
You can still get a great wash using as little as a third or even a quarter of a scoop of detergent
Sean Lim, CHOICE whitegoods tester
But it's not just your skin that could suffer if you overdo the detergent.
"All that detergent will eventually build up throughout your machine as scrud, a gunky, waxy substance that can affect your machine in the long run," explains Sean.
"Not to mention that you'll be sending more detergent down the drain which will end up in our waterways."
4. Closing the door between washes
This may go against your instincts, but our washing machine expert recommends leaving the door or lid open between washes to give the washer some much-needed air.
If you keep your washer closed, air can't circulate through the drum, which could lead to mould and bad smells – and a stinky, musty washing machine will hardly leave you with the freshest load of laundry.
It can also damage your washer: "Leaving the door closed can cause the rubber seals to deteriorate, so they won't seal the washer as well, and it can also lead to discolouration," Denis says.
5. Not loading the washing machine properly
Do you overload your machine with dirty laundry? Or put too little in for the program? If so, says Denis, your efforts may backfire.
"If your machine is too full, you clothes won't wash as well and it could damage your machine," he says.
"If it's not full enough, then you're using more detergent, water and electricity than you need to."
You'll be able to tell if you've filled your machine properly if you can barely close the door
Denis Gallagher, CHOICE whitegoods expert
So, how full is full? It turns out most of us don't actually fill our machines to their capacity.
"A full laundry basket will hold about 3.5kg of laundry, but washing machines usually hold twice as much as that, or even more," says Denis.
"You'll be able to tell if you've filled your machine properly if you can barely close the door."
6. Choosing the wrong program
Every washing machine has particular settings for particular types of loads.
Yes, reading the instruction manual is deathly boring, but it's helpful to know which cycle is right for which load, rather than using the same old setting out of habit.
"Finding the right washing program is a bit of a Goldilocks situation," Denis says.
Finding the right washing program is a bit of a Goldilocks situation
Denis Gallagher, CHOICE laundry expert
"Too gentle and your clothes won't get clean; too rough and you could end up damaging your clothes and shrinking your winter woollens.
"If you're washing a full load, gentle or quick programs may not be enough to give you a good wash. Make sure you check the manual so you know which program is best for the type of load you're doing."
7. Assuming a pricier detergent will get your clothes cleaner
Not all detergents are created equal. But the results of our laundry detergent reviews suggest that their recommended retail price has very little to do with their performance.
"The top performers aren't always the top-tier products in terms of price," Sean says.
"A number of supermarket home-brand detergents scored well in our tests, rivalling big-name brands that cost many times more, so checking our reviews can save you money while ensuring you'll still get a great wash."
Separate your whites to avoid colour run.
8. Mixing whites and non-colourfast items
When you're in a rush, it's tempting to chuck all your whites and colours in together.
But if the colours run and ruin your load, it can be a massive hassle to fix – assuming the affected items are even salvageable.
"You could try a laundry product that claims to undo colour run into white clothes, but there's no guarantee they'll get your whites sparkling white again," says Shafi.
"Otherwise, you could wash and re-wash the item and hope that the colour will eventually wash out. Or just accept the change and dye the garment."
9. Paying extra for features you don't need
Before you splurge on the latest washing machine with all the bells and whistles, or one with a super-large capacity, ask yourself whether you actually need it.
"Everyone's needs will be different, so you might find that some things are unnecessary but others are well worth the extra cost," says Denis.
"An auto detergent dosing system can be helpful if you have mobility or dexterity challenges as it saves you having to add detergent to the machine every time you wash.
"And if you're dealing with larger-than-average laundry piles, a very fast cycle can make laundry day a little quicker and easier.
"Then there's Wi-Fi connectivity, which lets you manage your washing machine via an app. It'll notify you when your washing's done, but you'll still have to unload it and hang it out – it's unlikely to revolutionise your laundry routine!
"Be realistic about what you will and won't use so you're spending your money wisely."
A laundry bag will lengthen the lifespan of your delicates.
10. Not putting delicates in a laundry bag
If you aren't putting your delicates (such as bras) into a separate washing bag, you may want to start.
That's because delicate clasps, clips and underwires take a beating in the wash and can get misshapen and damaged.
"The clips and clasps themselves can also cause damage to the rest of your laundry, or get caught in the washing machine's seals," says Denis.
"Using a delicates bag can also protect underwires, moulded cups and delicate fabrics, which will prolong your undergarments' lifespans."
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
