Many people have noticed that clothes tend to wear out faster when washed in a machine, losing their shape, softness, and color, and sometimes even tearing. This happens with both top-loading and front-loading machines.
Although washing machines are convenient and save time, they use strong mechanical force, which includes spinning, tumbling, and agitation. These actions, while effective at removing dirt, also cause fabric fibers to weaken, leading to pilling, holes, and general wear over time.
One major cause of damage is overloading the machine. When too many clothes are packed into the drum, they can’t move freely. This results in excessive friction and pressure as the drum turns, increasing the chances of fabric stress and tearing.
Even durable clothes can suffer in these conditions. Another common mistake is loading clothes in a tangled or messy way. This can cause garments to knot together, making them harder to clean and increasing stress on the fibers due to uneven drum movement. Fortunately, there’s a simple trick that can help reduce this wear: placing two empty plastic water bottles into the machine with your clothes. As the machine spins, the bottles act as spacers that help separate garments, reduce tangling, and minimize fabric stretching.
They can also help detergent and water circulate more evenly, resulting in a gentler wash. To further protect your clothes, consider washing heavy and lightweight items separately, using the gentle cycle, turning clothes inside out, placing delicates in mesh laundry bags, avoiding hot water and high heat, and never overloading the drum. By taking these small steps and using tricks like the plastic bottles, you can reduce damage and keep your clothes looking new for longer.