Your washing machine is built to do the brunt of the work for you on laundry day. Here’s how to get the most out of it:
Wash smaller loads. It might sound contradictory, but washing smaller loads results in doing far less laundry. When you overfill a washing machine, you create blockages that prevent water and detergent from reaching your clothing. This can also impede the streams of water that are meant to dilute powder and pod detergent. (This is true whether you wash in a front-loader or a top-loader.) Overstuffing can result in clothing that is not fully washed, and you will likely need to wash it again. No one wants that.
Seriously, don’t stuff the drum. Overstuffing can shorten the lifespan of your machine. The weight of too much laundry can unbalance the washer and dislodge the drum, which is an incredibly expensive repair. (I should know—I accidentally did this once in my twenties.) The replacement part costs so much, you may end up buying a new machine instead.
Use 2 tablespoons of detergent or less for most loads. Laundry detergent is potent, and despite what the label on an enzymatic detergent tells you, you rarely need more than 2 tablespoons per load. More than that can leave residue on your clothes and build up on the inside of your machine over time, leaving streaks and marks on your laundry.
There are some exceptions to this. If you have an extra-large machine and you are washing a load heavier than 12 pounds, or if your clothing is particularly grimy or stained (baseball or soccer uniforms, for instance), you might want to use a bit more detergent. Still, add just a tablespoon at a time. (A liquid laundry detergent, which lifts body oils from textiles well and is easier to pretreat with, is best for most people’s needs; if you seem to be unable to remove certain odors from your clothing with cold water, or your kids bring home a host of stubborn stains, an enzymatic powder detergent enhanced with oxygen bleach might be a better choice.) And remember: Pretreating stains beforehand will probably limit any need for extra detergent when it comes time to wash.
Forget the fabric softener. It’s unnecessary and can leave residue on items that can make them less breathable and absorbent—so your towels might feel soft, but they won’t soak up water as well.
Wash everyday laundry in cold water. Enzymes, which are the main cleaning agents in laundry detergent, often work better in cold water. Many laundry detergents available now (including our picks) handle odor just fine in cold water.
Washing in cold water is better for fabric care and prevents both fading and shrinking. Washing in cold water is also better for your energy bill and the planet. (There are still times to wash in warm water—mainly for severe oily stains and sanitizing.)
