Reality: Open zippers act like tiny saws and damage delicate fabrics. Closed buttons, on the other hand, are subjected to a lot of tension during the spin cycle and can tear.
Tip: Always close zippers, but leave buttons on shirts and bed linens open.
Using fabric softener on the wrong fabrics
Mistake: Fabric softener is added to every wash for the scent.
Reality: Fabric softener coats fibers with a thin film. In sportswear, it clogs breathable membranes; in towels, it drastically reduces absorbency; and elastane (e.g. in jeans or leggings) loses its elasticity.
Tip: Use fabric softener sparingly and avoid it altogether on sportswear, microfiber, towels, and wool. Alternatively, a little white vinegar in the fabric softener compartment can help.
Overfilling the drum
Mistake: The laundry is packed as tightly as possible in the washing machine to save on wash cycles.
Reality: The water and detergent can no longer circulate evenly. The laundry is not washed properly and the washer’s shock absorbers and bearings wear out extremely quickly.
Tip: As a rule, there should always be a distance of about the width of your hand between the laundry and the top of the drum.
Never clean the filter and seals
Mistake: The washing machine is considered a self-cleaning appliance.
Reality: Hair, coins and tissue paper are collected in the lint filter (foreign object trap). Wet sludge accumulates in the rubber door seal.
Tip: Wipe the rubber seal regularly after washing and clean the lint filter every 2 to 3 months.
The material was prepared by the editorial team using artificial intelligence tools. All information was checked and edited before publication.
