5 Laundry Myths That Could Be Ruining Your Clothes, According to Experts

Between trending social media videos and passed-down generational advice, a plethora of misinformation can be spread regarding how to do laundry properly. “There is a lot of information about laundry on social media, but if you’ve ever tried out a ‘hack’ with disappointing results, you’re not alone,” says Sammy Wang, senior laundry scientist at P&G fabric care. “Most hacks are not rooted in cleaning science, nor have they undergone the extensive testing that laundry products go through to make it to the store shelf.”

To make the most of each load, Wang and Morgan LaLonde, Whirlpool laundry brand manager, are debunking the top five laundry myths so you can up your laundry game to expert status, one load at a time.

1. Myth: It’s Better to Frequently Wash Smaller Loads

Many might think that more frequent, smaller loads are preferable in terms of energy savings, but LaLonde says otherwise. While she says full loads can utilize less energy overall than washing small loads more often, you don’t need to forgo your smaller load size if that’s the routine you prefer. “If you do plan to wash a smaller load, be sure to adjust your cycle settings accurately for that load size,” she advises.

2. Myth: Hot Water Is Always Best

“From a scientific point of view, yes, using warmer wash temperatures can help with the removal of most stains,” admits Wang. “However, washing in hot water can be damaging to garments, and it uses a lot more energy, which can cost your household more money and can impact the environment.” Instead of relying solely on warm- or hot-water cycles, the P&G scientist recommends opting for a high-quality detergent (she suggests Tide) that is specifically designed for effective cleaning in cold water.  

To determine the ideal water temperature for your load, LaLonde recommends considering the soil level, color, and fabric type. She suggests reserving hot water for towels, heavily soiled items, pre-shrunk fabrics, and sheets. Stubborn stains, such as makeup, grass, and nail polish, can also benefit from a hot water wash. However, be sure to refer to your care label before determining the proper wash settings.

3. Myth: You Can Skip Laundry Prep and Sorting

To ensure your whites and lights stay that way, proper sorting and prep are required. Many people believe fabrics have become more advanced and therefore don’t need to be sorted. However, due to the wide variety of dyes and dye methods used by clothing manufacturers, dye transfer can still occur during the wash process, especially with new clothes, Wang says. To keep each of your loads in top shape, the laundry pro recommends proper sorting (keeping whites and lights in one pile and darks and colors in another) to avoid dye transfer. You can take your sorting one step further by itemizing by soil level, fabric type, and cycle.

Once you’ve sorted out your clothes, there is one more step you should take. LaLonde suggests prepping each item by buttoning buttons and zipping zippers fully to help prevent damage during the wash cycle. She also recommends turning screen-printed and dark-colored clothing items inside out and treating any stains before adding them to your machine.  

4. Myth: Avoid Fabric Softeners and Laundry Beads

Just like shampoo and conditioner are meant to work together, so too are detergent and fabric softener, Wang says. “When used correctly, fabric softeners like Downy Liquid Fabric Softener help protect fabrics and prevent damage during washing and wearing to ensure clothes remain soft and conditioned—they even help prevent fuzzing, fading, stretching, and wrinkling,” she explains.

While she sees a surprising number of consumers who believe fabric softener can replace detergent (another myth that can be considered debunked), most of the issues stemming from fabric softener come from overuse or improper use. Either can cause buildup in both machines and on clothes. To avoid this issue, Wang advises simply following the product labels and dosage information while also maintaining a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for your machine.

Now, when it comes to fragrance, don’t let a myth stand in your way. If you’re not already on the scent-booster bandwagon, it’s time to jump aboard. Scent boosters (Wang recommends Downy Unstopables Scent Boosters) also have plenty of benefits for your laundry routine. “Designed to protect your clothes from odors and ensure a fresh scent that lasts, in-wash scent booster beads are extensively tested for both fabric and washing machine compatibility, enhancing your laundry routine without causing damage to your machine or fabrics,” she says.

5. Myth: Vinegar Removes All Odors

Vinegar can undoubtedly have a place in your cleaning routine. Its odor-fighting benefits can’t be denied. But when it comes to adding it to your laundry loads, that’s typically a no-no. “Vinegar has a low pH, so it has some cleaning properties, but the vinegar you can buy at the store is not very concentrated, so adding it to the water in your washing machine won’t allow you to get the full benefits unless you use a lot of it,” says Wang.

In fact, using vinegar and detergent simultaneously can actually decrease the effectiveness of the detergent’s stain-fighting power by breaking down the enzymes responsible for the job. To incorporate vinegar into your laundry routine, Wang suggests using it as a pre-wash soak.