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
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.
How much detergent should you use?
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
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
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.
If your machine smells bad, then your clean clothes will smell bad, which nobody needs.
How to run a service wash
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
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.
How to protect the glass in the washing machine door
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
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 will help you to keep your outfits looking their best10. 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
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/10-things-id-never-do-as-a-washing-machine-expert-aX3j69B1YbEE