Top Common Laundry Mistakes You’re Probably Making

Whether you like it or not, laundry is a chore that we just have to do. Who wants to wear dirty clothes all the time? You might be the type of person who is quick to flip your shirt or pants inside out and give them a quick spray of Febreze, but that doesn't always get the job done. Sometimes, you just have to do laundry. And here are common laundry mistakes. Sometimes these mistakes can affect the appearance, longevity, and cleanliness of your clothes.

Stacker, an expert analysis website, shared the top most common laundry mistakes and how to avoid them. So, what mistakes are you probably making with laundry?

At the top of their list is overloading the washing machine. Overloading the washer means your clothes may not get as clean as you want them to. Clothes need space to move around to get them clean. "Stuffing the machine full might lead to ineffective washing and rinsing," they said. They also mentioned that overloading can also damage your machine and cause mechanical issues. As Southern Living points out, this can also cost you more money in the long run.

Some people may be guilty of doing this but neglecting to sort clothes made their top three. They suggest sorting your clothes at least by color like light or dark. Not following the care instructions for specific colors or fabrics can lead to damaging your clothes' appearance. According to The Cleaning Authority, washing dark colors with light ones, the lighter colored clothes will lose their brightness over time.

Less is more when it comes to detergent. While some people believe that more detergent makes your clothes cleaner, it actually has the opposite effect according to their list. They said, "Using extra detergent can leave a soapy residue on your laundry, attract dirt, and irritate sensitive skin."

This also applies to overusing fabric oftener. Sure, it smells great, but it can also lead to a waxy build-up on your clothes.

A big no-no on their list is skipping regular machine maintenance. So, yes, this means cleaning your washer and dryer. Not taking care of your machines can cause your clothes to smell weird, break down, or lessen their ability to do their job. As far as the lint filter, you should empty it every single time.  A clogged lint filter lowers the ability of the dryer to do its job. Not to mention, it's a massive fire hazard. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that clogged dryer vents are responsible for more than 15,000 dryer fires each year. You should also periodically check the dryer vent to make sure it's clear.

Take a look at the complete list of common laundry mistakes here.