I’m a laundry expert – here are 5 common mistakes you’re making with the washing machine that could leave your clothes even dirtier

It’s a tough job that many loathe: the endless washing cycle.

As soon as you fold and put away a clean pile of clothes, another mountain appears out of nowhere that needs to be washed.

On the occasion of National Washing Day today, Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundry pileshared his top advice for best practice when it comes to washing your clothes, to ensure neither your machine nor your belongings get damaged.

Here he reveals the top mistakes people make when doing their laundry, which are ultimately counterproductive to a clean load of laundry…

1. Too much detergent

Deyan shared his first tip, warning that overusing detergent is one of the most common mistakes you can make and is ultimately useless because it doesn’t make your clothes any cleaner.

Share his tips with The Expresssaid the laundry expert: ‘If you use too much detergent, it can stain your garment.’

He explained that the residue can attract dirt, which will make your clothes not look as clean at all.

Instead, Deyan said you should reduce the amount of detergent you use in each cycle to three-quarters of what is recommended.

2. Use only one washing machine setting

The next bad habit to avoid, according to the laundry expert, is using one setting on your machine for different materials.

Deyan explained that there are different temperature settings on washing machines depending on the type of material in the sink.

He said that as a general rule, towels and bed linen should be washed at higher temperatures, while cotton and wool should be washed at lower temperatures to protect the material.

Instead, you should use the different settings on your machine and wash at the correct temperature. Deyan added that this can prevent your clothes from fading or shrinking.

3. Don’t empty pockets

While it may seem unimportant when you’re in a hurry and busy with other things around the house, the cleaning expert said you should always take the time to check the pockets of all items going into the washing machine.

Deyan warned that garments left in garment bags that have not been emptied before washing could fall into the washing machine sink and enter the drain, causing a blockage.

He noted that it’s especially important to remove coins or keys because your washing machine can do that even if it doesn’t damage the metal they’re made of.

Any metal object can shatter or crack the glass of a front-loading machine, or damage the drum itself.

Keys or coins can also get caught in the pipe, causing blockages and possible flooding – which makes it even more worthwhile to check for hidden objects in the pockets.

4. Putting too much into the machine

While it’s often tempting to pack a larger load to get your laundry done faster, overloading your washer makes the actual process of a wash cycle less efficient.

Deyan warned that while many people load up their washing machines to get the job done quickly, this will “ruin” their clothes in the long run.

He explained that if there are more items of clothing in the sink, it is less likely that the detergent will circulate properly and clean them all

Additionally, overcharging your device puts unnecessary strain on the machine, which can cause it to wear out faster and have a shorter lifespan.

5. Ignore warning signals on the machine

Although a washing machine is an important household item, many people will ignore the warning that it is on its last legs, meaning they won’t buy a new one until their previous appliance breaks down.

Deyan warned that this is a fool’s game and urged people to ‘take action’ if they see signs that their machine is on its way out.

“The next time you hear a strange noise from your washing machine, smell a bad odor, or see mold around the handle, it’s best not to ignore these signs,” he said.

‘A defective washing machine does not wash your clothes properly.’