Laundry feels easy apparently but one day you get a sudden realization. Your clothes are losing their shine and towels are getting rough. Also, your gym clothes are stain-free but the smell is still there like you just came from the gym. There are some reasons behind these situations.
This laundry care guide will explain the most common laundry mistakes people make at home in the UAE. Heat, sweat, dust, and harsh sun can make small washing issues show up faster here. If you want a few laundry tips and tricks that actually help, keep reading this blog to learn how to fix laundry mistakes. You will understand how premium laundry services can help you handle the clothes properly.
1: Treating Sorting like an Optional Extra
When you mix everything together, your laundry fights itself. Heavy items rub against light fabrics. Zips catch delicate pieces. Dark dyes can transfer.
How to Fix it
Keep sorting realistic:
- Whites / lights / darks
- Heavy vs light (towels and denim away from delicate tops)
- Lint makers vs lint collectors (towels away from dark cotton, leggings, and fleece)
2: Ignoring Care Labels and then Blaming the Machine
You cannot ignore care labels at all. Fabrics have their own capacity of handling heat and spin. When you wash clothes the wrong way, they lose shape; either they shrink or become stiff.
How to Fix it
- Reading labels on new items before the first wash.
- When unsure, choose the gentler option: cooler temperature and lower spin.
- Use a mesh bag for delicate pieces with hooks or embellishments.
Your one habit supports keeping your clothes looking like new. You can avail of our dry cleaning services if you need expert help.
3: Loading the Washing Machine More than Capacity
When you load excessive clothes in the machine, this is one of the biggest causes of not getting quite clean laundry. When you fully pack the drum, clothes don’t move properly. Water can’t reach everything. Also, detergent struggles to rinse out.
How to Fix it
- Avoid putting too many clothes in the drum so you can still move items around with your hand.
- You should split bulky loads into smaller washes.
- If you find clothes stiff, patchy, or slightly sour, reduce the load next time.
4: Excessive and Unnecessary Use of Detergent
It is a misconception that if you use more detergent, your clothes will be cleaner. By using excessive detergent, a thin film is left on fabric which causes odour by absorbing sweat and body oils. It also makes colours look dull over time.
How to Fix it
- You should use a measured amount of detergent. Don’t pour by instinct.
- If you have overdosed, run an extra rinse.
- If clothes feel waxy after drying, reduce detergent for the next wash.
5: Washing Everything on one Temperature, All the Time
If you always wash cold, some smells and oils don’t lift properly. If you always wash hot, colours fade and fabrics wear out faster. Both extremes cause problems.
How to Fix it
- Cool/30°C: everyday clothes, most colours, delicates
- 40°C: towels, sheets, underwear (if labels allow)
- Higher temperatures: only for stuff which must need it and can handle it
6: Letting Stains Wait until Wash Day
Stains get comfortable when you ignore them. They dry, sink into fibres, and become harder to remove. In the UAE, sweat marks, deodorant build-up, and makeup stains show up a lot.
How to Fix it
- Treat stains as soon as you notice them.
- Blot. Don’t rub.
- If a stain survives the wash, don’t tumble dry or iron it yet. Re-treat and wash again.
7: Using Fabric Conditioner on Towels
Fabric conditioner can make items feel soft, but it can also coat fibres. Your towels need open fibres to absorb water. When you coat them, it makes them feel nice apparently but work badly.
How to Fix it
- Skip conditioner on towels.
- You should wash towels separately and don’t overload the drum.
- If towels already feel sealed, wash them a few times without softener and reduce detergent slightly.
8: Leaving Wet Laundry in the Machine for Long
When you keep the machine drum damp, it is likely that musty smells form. Once that smell settles into fabric, it can be stubborn for you to remove.
How to Fix it
- After the washing cycle is done, take the laundry out soon.
- Keep the door and detergent drawer slightly open after use.
- If the laundry stays too long, you should run a quick rinse and spin before drying.
9: Forgetting the Machine Needs Cleaning too
You need to remember that a washing machine is not self-cleaning. Detergent residue, lint, and moisture collect in its parts. That build-up transfers smell back to your clothes.
How to Fix it
- You have to wipe the door seal weekly, specifically after towel loads.
- Keep cleaning the detergent drawer regularly so residue doesn’t harden.
- Do a monthly maintenance wash to reduce build-up.
10: Drying Dark Clothes in Harsh Sun for too Long
As a UAE resident, you know that outdoor drying is common in the UAE. It’s fast and convenient. But it is important to note that dark colours can become dull quickly due to the harshness of the sun.
How to Fix it
- Before hanging, you can turn dark items inside out.
- Use shade whenever it is possible.
- Don’t leave clothes outside for hours after they are already dry.
If you are serious about keeping your clothes looking like new, this one is worth doing.
Need Big Bubbles’ Expert Help?
There are no complicated rules for doing laundry. You just need some habits that stay the same and understand the washing mistakes to avoid. You will notice fresher clothes with intact colours when you stop making the most common laundry mistakes.
If you are overwhelmed with laundry responsibility and searching “laundry near me”, contact us today. We pick up, clean with fabric-safe methods, and deliver back neatly finished.
FAQs
- Why do my clothes still smell after I wash them?
The smell is coming from your clothes because of leftover detergent. You might also have problems if you overload the machine or if it needs to be cleaned.
- Is it okay to wash everything by setting a quick cycle on the machine?
No. You should know that quick cycles are fine for things that aren’t very dirty. Towels, bedding, and gym clothes mostly need a more thorough wash and rinse.
- How do I make towels not feel rough?
It’s a simple piece of advice. Don’t put too much in the drum, don’t use fabric softener, and don’t use too much detergent. You should also dry your towels the right way.
- Is it possible to stop colours from fading?
When you wash darks inside out and don’t leave them in the sun for too long, it is possible.
- What if I want the easiest option and results that are always the same?
Big Bubbles laundry can take care of your laundry for you. Our team is great at taking care of the details, like sorting, stain care, and washing carefully.
