10 things I'd never do as a washing machine expert

Whether your washing machine is old or new, running it effectively is the best way to ensure clean clothes and an appliance that goes the distance. 

As well as reviewing hundreds of washing machines every year, I'm also a washing machine user, so here I share the things I would never do with my own appliances, as well as some handy advice on how to keep yours in tip-top condition.

Watch the video for 5 quick tips for better laundry results, or read the full article for a deeper dive into 10 things our washing machine expert would never do.

Need a new washing machine? Which? members can read all our washing machines reviews, or just skip straight to our pick of the best washing machines

10 things I'd never do

1. Overload the machine

Overloading your washing machine so the drum is completely packed will lead to less-than-perfect wash results, and could ultimately damage your machine over time.

Washing machines are designed to wash a certain weight of clothes – most models we test range from a 7-13kg drum capacity, with the most common size being around 8-9kg. It varies with the type of laundry though – you can usually wash more cottons, such as bed sheets, than synthetics, such as gym kit.

Thankfully some modern machines won't allow you to overload them, as they simply won't start if there's too much in the drum. Some will just carry on regardless though, even if they're full to bursting, leaving no room for the water and detergent to distribute evenly through the load.

More seriously, overloading could damage the way the drum spins and, over time, this could shorten the life of your machine.

How to load your washing machine

• Always make sure that there's space between the top of the load in the drum and the top of the drum itself – this should be around the width of your palm.
• Instead of cramming everything into one load to save time, try using the quick-wash setting for two decent-sized loads. On some machines, this will reduce a three-hour wash to just one hour. Wash quality won't be quite as good, but you will be saving time and not overloading your washing machine.

2. Use too much detergent

Chucking in a bit of extra detergent might not sound like the end of the world, but it could make all the difference to your favourite outfits. While stains might be tackled effectively, lots of pesky detergent will be left lurking in your clothes following the rinse phase of the cycle.

On light items, you won't be able to see this, but if you wear a lot of dark clothes, evidence of overdosing will be obvious, with either flecks of detergent powder or translucent smears of liquid detergent visible. Either way, it's not a great look.

Using too much detergent could also be a problem for you if your skin is sensitive to any of the chemicals used in the detergent.

The same applies for fabric softener. In fact, you can skip fabric softener altogether. It leaves a residue on fabrics that builds up over time. Not only does this make it harder for detergent to penetrate and clean your clothes, it will also reduce the absorption of towels. Fabric softener can also irritate sensitive skin.

How much detergent should you use?

• Roughly speaking, you need two tablespoons for a large load, but only one tablespoon for a smaller load.
• Your washing machine manual will tell you how much detergent you should be using for your appliance. This will be detailed on a program-by-program basis, so you'll use more for a full load than you will for a half load, for example. 
• Measure the amount you use. Most of us get this wrong when using guesswork and end up using far too much. 

Check out our washing power and laundry detergent reviews to see which scored best in our tests

3. Mix different colours in one wash

A sure-fire way to end up with ruined clothes is to mix whites and colours. Do this and dirty greys will be the order of the day, or even worse, you run the risk of turning your crisp white shirts or cotton bedsheets a lovely shade of pink (reds and oranges are the most notorious colours for running in the wash).

Dyes may be better than they once were, but ultimately colours will still run, so read the care label on your clothes before throwing them all into the drum together.

How to avoid colours running in the washing machine

• Separate your laundry into whites and colours and run two smaller washes. Be extra careful with anything you've dyed yourself at home, as the dye is more likely to run.
• You can also buy colour-catcher sheets that are designed to catch stray dye during the wash cycle and prevent it bleeding.

See our guide to useful washing machine programs and discover how to dye clothes in the washing machine

4. Guesstimate the temperature

Clothes can also be damaged if you wash them at the wrong temperature, and with most washing machines having options from 20°C to 90°C, it's a risky guessing game to play.

Cotton is stretched in manufacture and will shrink a little following its first wash. But if you get the water temperature wrong, the shrinkage could be much worse and render your clothes too small (but perhaps result in a good gift for a family pet?).

As a rule of thumb, lower temperatures (20°C and 30°C are classed as 'cold' washes) are good for lightly soiled items or delicate garments, whereas higher temperatures (anything 40°C and above is a 'hot' wash) are more effective at removing stains and bacteria. 

How to avoid your clothes shrinking

• Read the label to find the right temperature your clothes should be washed at, and wash clothes of a similar fabric type together.
• Use the washing machine manual to find the best program for them.
• If you're worried about your clothes shrinking or losing their shape, wash them in cool water by hand and then dry them on a washing line or airer.

Find out which temperature to wash at with our washing machine temperature guide

5. Skip a service wash

The best washing machines will wash your clothes for years, but the machine itself also needs cleaning in order to do its job effectively.

Over months and years of regular use, the inside of your washing machine will get dirty, mould can build up and this can lead to your machine smelling bad. This is becoming more common, as most of us now wash at lower temperatures with non-biological detergents.

If your machine smells bad, then your clean clothes will smell bad, which nobody needs.

How to run a service wash

• To keep your machine clean and odour-free, run a service wash at 90°C every month – you can do this using detergent or a specialist washing machine cleaner.
• Check the manual to see what's recommended for your washing machine.

Head to our guide to washing machine cleaners to see which brand might suit you best

6. Forget to level it

Washing machines can spin at superfast speeds – the quickest spin cycles on some machine have the drum turning up to 1,600 times in a minute. An unbalanced washing machine can cause unwanted vibration, super-loud noises and could end up damaging the machine over time. 

To be able to do its job safely, the machine needs to be completely level on the floor. If your machine is installed by a professional, they will check the machine is level for you and will make any necessary adjustments.

If you plan on installing your washing machine yourself, follow the tips below to help you make sure it's levelled properly.

How to level your washing machine

• Try rocking your machine. If it moves, you'll need to level it by adjusting its feet.
• Loosen the locking nut and then use a spanner to lower or raise the washing machine.
• Check with a spirit level and tighten the nuts.

Read more in our helpful guide on how to install a washing machine

7. Leave a belt on a pair of jeans

Remove any belts from trousers and jeans before you wash. The glass in washing machine doors is toughened, but a belt buckle spinning at 1,600 rpm can still do damage.

Even if you don't notice any imperfections in the glass, that doesn't mean they aren't there. A build-up of seemingly tiny cracks could lead to a much bigger problem over time.

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How to protect the glass in the washing machine door

• Once you've removed any belts from the load, consider using a laundry bag for any clothes that have large metal buttons.
• Lowering the spin speed could also help to mitigate the (already low) risk of the glass breaking. You should be able to manually switch this on your machine.

8. Forget to remove tissues or other items from pockets

Make sure that you remove any tissues or anything else from your trouser or jacket pockets before you wash them. If you're in a hurry or you just forget to do this, you could end up with tiny flecks of soggy tissue stuck all over your washing – and it's a nightmare to remove.

Coins are another common culprit for causing problems, such as blocked filters or excessively loud noise during spin cycles, so it's worth turning your pockets inside out to collect any loose change, too.

How to remove tissue from wet clothes

• Large lumps of tissue can be picked off by hand.
• Smaller spots of paper can be removed using a soft brush.
• If there's any left when your clothes are dry, try using sticky tape to lift them off.

Which appliance brands go the distance? See our round-up of the most reliable washing machine brands

9. Ignore the instruction manual

Many people use the same wash program regardless of the clothes they're washing, but this won't help you to get the best results.

Your manual will recommend specific programs for you, based on which fabrics are being washed and how dirty they are. For example, a stinky rugby kit should be washed for longer and in hotter water than something like clothes you wear to the office, which might not be visibly dirty.

If you've misplaced your paper manual, you can often find a copy online on the manufacturer's website. Alternatively, it's always worth contacting them to see if they can point you in the right direction. 

Our guide on how to wash clothes will help you to keep your outfits looking their best

10. Forget routine maintenance

It's very easy to forget about maintaining your washing machine, but if you do this, you could easily end up with a machine that doesn't last nearly as long as it should. A warm, damp drum is also the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that can make your clothes start to smell.

Washing machine maintenance doesn't take long, it isn't technical and it could give your machine a longer lease of life – helpful for both your pocket and the planet.

Quick washing machine maintenance tips

• Clear clumps of hair, dirt and detergent that accumulate around the door seal on a washing machine. As the seals are made of rubber, this kind of thing can lead to the seal perishing over time. Every week or two, wipe the seal clean with a damp cloth.
• Regularly wash out the detergent drawer and lint filter to remove any mould or bacteria build-up.
• Leave the door and drawer open after every wash to allow air to circulate and speed up the evaporation of any excess water.

Read how to clean a smelly washing machine for more hints and tips

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