No matter how long you’ve been washing your clothes, you may be guilty of straying from proper laundry etiquette. It’s important to refocus and recognize common errors to avoid unnecessary damage to clothing items. Below are mistakes to avoid next time you load up the laundry machine.

The Most Common Laundry Mistakes

1. Using Excess Bleach & Detergent

You may overload on bleach and detergent to combat tough stains. However, too much can clog the containers in washing machines and prompt soapy buildup and discoloration in clothes. Properly measure the amount you need and adhere to dosage directions on packages. Opt out of bleach if the stains aren’t prevalent, and use detergent sparingly. If need be, run two cycles to thoroughly rinse out filthy clothes.

2. Separating Only Lights & Darks

It’s common to divide up colored clothes, but not as common to sort through materials and fabrics as well. You should separate items and run lighter loads to preserve clothing integrity. For instance, denim doesn’t respond well to frequent washing and loses color faster than other fabrics. Sportswear is resistant to fabric softener, which can alter its fibers and impact its absorbency. Wash durable clothes together and leave delicate fabrics for a separate cycle. Load the washing machine and alter settings accordingly.

3. Washing Warm on Regular

It’s easy to stick to one setting for all your loads, but that doesn’t mean it’s effective or efficient. You should get to know the settings on your washing machine to protect and preserve your clothing items. Dark clothes and delicate fabrics are better suited to cold washes on normal cycles. White clothes and heavy cotton fabrics fair well in warm washes on regular or permanent press cycles.

4. Overdrying

If you’re in a rush to put away your laundry, you may increase the settings on the dryer to get the job done quickly. However, this can result in wrinkled, staticky clothes that are tough to restore due to fiber breakdown over time. Thin and wooly items are especially at risk, as they can lose shape and tear easily. Leave them out to air-dry while the rest of your load runs its cycle. Adjust the settings according to the durability of your items. Heavy cotton items, like towels and jeans, do well on high heat, while stretchy items like yoga pants fair better in low heat.

Put these tips into practice at Park Avenue Coin Laundry in Dothan, AL. Their extensive experience and dedicated representatives provide an efficient and optimal service experience. High-quality washing machines and dryers are available every day of the week for your convenience. Park Avenue Coin Laundry also features an ATM that disburses dollar bills to make your payment quick and accessible. Visit their website to learn how they can meet your laundry needs, or call (334) 678-0800 for additional information.