Are you making these common laundry mistakes? Does your favourite shirt come out of the wash looking worn out after just a few washes? You’re not alone, many people struggle with keeping their clothes looking fresh and lasting longer due to simple laundry mistakes they don’t even realize they’re making.
In Nigeria’s unique climate, with our heat, humidity, and occasional water challenges, proper laundry care becomes even more important. From using too much detergent to incorrectly hanging clothes to dry, these mistakes can destroy your wardrobe piece by piece.
The good news? You can easily fix these problems once you know what to look for. Let’s dive into the Top 10 ‘Laundry Mistakes To Avoid’ for longer-lasting, better-looking clothes!
Top 10 Laundry Mistakes To Avoid
Now, let’s look out those laundry mistakes you’re making without even realizing and how to avoid them to properly care for your clothes:
1. Using Too Much Detergent
If you think using more soap or detergent when washing or doing the laundry means cleaner clothes then think again
Many of us Nigerians pour detergent without measuring, this is actually bad for your clothes. Too much detergent doesn’t rinse out properly and leaves a sticky residue that traps dirt and makes your clothes look dull.
What to do instead:
- Use just one tablespoon of detergent for a small load
- For powdered soap, half a cup is usually enough for a full load during laundry
- If you see soap bubbles after rinsing, you’ve used too much!
Remember, good quality detergents are concentrated and the fact that it has plenty foam doesn’t make it ideal, so you need less than you think. Check out best detergents for sensitive skins so you’d know the best detergent for you from all the dozens in the market.
2. Ignoring Care Labels
Those tiny tags with weird symbols are actually super important! Care labels are like little instruction manuals for your clothes.
When we ignore them, we risk ruining expensive outfits. That “dry clean only” tag isn’t just a suggestion – it’s there to protect your clothes. Understanding laundry care symbols and its meaning is very important because they instruct you on how to take proper care of your clothes.
What those symbols mean:
- A tub with water = machine washable
- A triangle = bleach instructions
- An iron = ironing instructions
- A circle = dry cleaning instructions
Next time, take 10 seconds to check the label before washing. Your clothes will thank you.
3. Drying Incorrectly
The Nigerian sun is great for drying clothes quickly, but did you know direct sunlight can fade your colorful clothes? And those heavy sweaters that stretch out when hung? Yes, not drying your clothes properly will shorten the lifespan of your clothes.
How to hang dry clothes properly:
- Hang colored clothes inside-out and in shade to prevent fading
- Use hangers for shirts and dresses to maintain their shape
- Lay heavy sweaters flat on a towel instead of hanging them
- Shake clothes before hanging to reduce wrinkles and excess water after rinsing
- Leave space between clothes for better air circulation
For quick drying during the rainy season, place your clothes near a fan or in a well-ventilated room. Check out more about how to hang dry clothes to learn more.
4. Overloading the Washing Machine
I know the temptation, you have a mountain of clothes and just want to finish quickly by stuffing everything in the washing machine at once. We’ve all done it!
Stuffing too many clothes into the machine means none of the cloth will get properly cleaned or washed. The detergent won’t be able to circulate well, clothes won’t spin properly and rub against each other causing damage, and you’ll likely need to rewash anyway.
The right way:
- Divide your clothes into 3 or 4 depending on how plenty there are and fill the machine with each part on a single wash or spin.
- You should be able to fit your hand on top of the clothes in the washing machine
- If you’re using a washbasin, don’t pile clothes more than halfway, divide the clothes and wash each pile before going onto another.
Doing smaller loads might take more time initially but saves you from rewashing and extends your clothes’ life.
5. Not Checking Pockets
We’ve all been there, that horrible moment when you find your naira notes turned to paper pulp, or worse, a pen that leaked all over your white shirts.
Taking 30 seconds to check the pockets of your clothes before washing can save you hours of stress and potentially thousands of naira in ruined clothes.
What to do:
- Pat down all pockets before putting clothes in the wash
- Check hidden pockets in jackets and jeans
- Turn pants pockets inside out
Make this a habit and you’ll never have to fish out shredded tissues from your washing again.
6. Not Pretreating Stains
That palm oil stain on your shirt won’t come out with regular washing alone. Trust us on this one
Stains need special attention before they go into your regular wash, especially common Nigerian stains like palm oil, egusi soup, or red stew.
Easy stain treatment:
- For food stains, scrape off the excess and rinse with cold water
- Apply a small amount of detergent directly on the stain
- Gently rub the clothes together and let sit for 15-30 minutes before washing
- For stubborn stains, try a paste of baking soda and water
The sooner you wash a stain, the better your chance of removing it completely.
7. Home Washing Dry Clean-Only Clothes
I get it, dry cleaning is expensive. But washing that “dry clean only” silk blouse at home is actually more expensive when you ruin it completely.
Some fabrics like silk, wool, and many tailored items need professional cleaning to maintain their quality. Our professionals at Bukz easy clean will do a perfect laundry job for you and your clothes. Give us a call or chat on whatsapp today to book a pickup.
What happens when you ignore dry clean labels:
- Fabrics can shrink very quick
- Colours might bleed/wash or fade
- The shape and structure of your tailored clothes may get destroyed
- Embellishments can fall off or get damaged
If dry cleaning is too expensive, look for items labeled “dry clean recommended” instead of “dry clean only”, these can sometimes be hand washed carefully.
8. Using Too Much Fabric Softener
Fabric softeners like bleach or dyes make clothes feel nice and smell good, but using too much can make your towels less absorbent and leave residue on your clothes.
Better approach:
- Use half the recommended amount
- Don’t use fabric softener on towels and sportswear completely
- Try white vinegar as a natural alternative (don’t worry, the smell will disappears when your clothes are dry)
9. Using the Wrong Water Temperature
Hot water isn’t always better! Using the wrong water temperature can shrink, fade, or damage your clothes.
Temperature guide:
- Use hot water for white or heavily soiled items only
- Use Warm water for moderately soiled or colorfast clothes
- Then use cold water for dark colours, delicates, and most regular clothes
Cold water works well for most everyday washing, saves energy, and is gentler on fabrics. In Nigeria’s warm climate, using cold water to wash makes even more sense. You can check your clothes laundry care labels for more information on temperature for washing of your clothes.
10. Not Washing Embellished Garments Inside Out
Those beautiful beaded tops and outfits for owambe parties need special care. Washing them normally can damage the decorations and ruin the asoebi.
How to wash embellished clothes:
- Turn them inside out before washing
- Use a gentle cycle or hand wash
- Hang to dry. Do not put in a dryer.
Taking extra care with your special occasion clothes means they’ll last for many celebrations to come.
Final Thoughts
Changing these simple laundry habits will help your clothes last longer and look better, saving you money in the long run. At Bukz Easy Clean, we understand the challenges of keeping clothes looking fresh in our Nigerian climate.If you have more laundry questions or prefer to let professionals handle your laundry, Drop a comment below or check out our laundry services. We’re here to help keep your wardrobe looking its best.
