Even after many months, even years of use, you can still find yourself making small mistakes with the washing machine. However, certain actions can harm the durability of this household appliance and cause breakdowns that are easily avoidable. And of course, improper use can also damage clothes, wash them poorly or leave an unpleasant smell in the fibers. This is why grandma is listing here some mistakes to avoid with the washing machine.
1) Forgetting to empty the pockets before putting them in the machine: one of the most common mistakes
The elements ensuring the rigidity of a shirt collar, such as the pockets of jackets and pants, must systematically be checked. Indeed, it would be harmful to pass money or potentially useful tickets through the machine. Coins or small items (pins, chewing gum, etc.) may also damage the machine like delicate clothes. As for handkerchiefs, they can put fibers on all clothes and clogging the drain pump filter. This kind of small oversight can therefore cause a breakdown. So remember to empty your pockets carefully. Always to avoid damaging the clothes or the machine, also remember to close the zippers and open the buttons.
2) Overload the washing machine with clothes
To save time and limit your laundry chore, it can be tempting to stuff as many clothes as possible into the drum. However, this technique is counterproductivebecause the clothes no longer have space to roll in the drum. Cleaning is therefore no longer optimal and this increases friction which causes wear and tear on the linen. We can therefore end up with clothes still dirty, smelly and very wrinkled. The chore of ironing or the second machine to catch up will therefore quickly make you forget the time “saved” with an overloaded machine. In addition, there are also risk of engine failure. The good tip? Make sure you can fit one hand between the laundry and the top of the drum!
3) Having a heavy hand with detergents
Adding more will not “wash the laundry better” or make it smell good. These products are powerful enough in small quantities. Thus, overdoing the quantity of detergent and fabric softener risks saturating the fibers of the clothes, causing skin irritations. It is also very bad for the environment and clogs the different parts that make up the machine. Over time, this leaves residue in the device, facilitating the appearance of bad odors. In the end, the laundry is no cleaner and may even smell bad. It is therefore one of the worst mistakes if you intend to keep your washing machine for a long time and clean the laundry well. Simply follow the recommendations on the product depending on the degree of soiling of the laundry, the quantity to be washed or the hardness of the water.
4) Bleach in the washing machine… among the worst mistakes!
In addition to seriously polluting water, bleach is a product very aggressive on clothes. It ruins the elastics of socks and underwear and can damage laundry over time. In regular use, it can also be very dangerous for the proper functioning of the machine. In fact, it tends to gnaw the seal of the machine ! Fortunately, it can easily be replaced with two tablespoons of percarbonate of soda to whiten laundry and a glass of white vinegar to deodorize laundry and sanitize the washing machine.
5) Remove tags from clothes
The labels indicate valuable information for proper laundry care. Without them, it’s difficult to know if a garment can be put in the machine (and at what temperature so as not to lose its shape), be ironed without burning, put in the dryer without being damaged… If you absolutely cannot stand labels, because it’s itchy, at least remember to check them before throwing them away to see if an item of clothing requires special care. If necessary, you can keep the label in a drawer or sew in a pocket or an inconspicuous and annoying area to have a trace without being embarrassed!
6) Improperly prepare clothes before washing
For jeans and clothing whose colors can be damaged, it is better to wash inside out consistently. This avoids friction with other clothing which causes the color to fade.
Another point not to be neglected: the net for socks, tights, panties… This type of small clothing can indeed be used more quickly wear out with contact with other clothes. And above all, there is a risk that they will be swallowed by the machine. They will then slip into the tub-pump hose of your washing machine, which can cause breakdowns. An easy problem to solve if everyone puts their dirty underwear in a net to make washing and sorting easier when drying. Otherwise, wash by hand!