5 Simple Washing Machine Habits That Make Clothes Last Longer

Many households spend hundreds of pounds on replacement clothes every year because T-shirts, trousers or shirts soon start to look worn. Yet the problem is surprisingly often not the wash cycle itself, but a few overlooked steps immediately before the machine is switched on. A handful of straightforward habits can noticeably extend the life of textiles – while also leaving the wash load smoother, cleaner-looking and more presentable.

Why your washing machine slowly “eats” your clothes

Conditions inside the drum are harsher than many people realise. Fabrics rub against one another, buttons catch, zips scrape and rigid items knock against delicate fibres. Overfilling the machine compresses everything even further, so creases practically become baked into the material.

“Preparing your clothes properly before washing halves the wear and saves annoyance, money and ironing time.”

The good news is that there is no need for specialist detergent or costly extra equipment. Five quick steps before each wash can make a clear difference to the condition of your wardrobe.

1. Turn clothes inside out: the simplest protective layer

Perhaps the most effective tip is also the least conspicuous: consistently turn garments inside out before washing them. It takes only a few seconds, yet acts like a small protective layer for the outer surface.

• The “good” side comes into less contact with the metal drum.
• Fabrics mainly rub together on their inner sides.
• Delicate fibres and surfaces stay smooth for longer.

This is particularly worthwhile for items with more visually delicate finishes:

• T-shirts and hoodies with prints or large logos
• Blouses with lace, embroidery or fine patterns
• Fine knitwear and delicate viscose or modal fabrics

Once this habit becomes second nature, it happens automatically: take the garment off, turn it inside out straight away and put it in the laundry basket. This prevents many small but noticeable signs of wear.

2. Fasten buttons: less pulling, less stretching

Unbuttoned plackets become small traps inside the drum. They can snag on other garments, pull at them and cause misshapen collars, lasting bulges or torn-off buttons.

“Fastened buttons support the garment and prevent unnecessary strain on collars, plackets and seams.”

It is especially useful to fasten buttons on these items:

• Shirts and blouses (fasten the top button and one or two near the bottom)
• Bed linen with button fastenings
• Dresses with a row of buttons down the front

You do not need to button every single one, but secure the key buttons so that the item keeps its shape and does not flap about as much. Less strain means a longer lifespan – and less frustration when ironing.

3. Zip up fastenings: stop scratches and pulled threads

Open zips act like miniature abrasive tools in the washing machine. Their teeth scrape across fabrics, pull threads, leave pale marks or create pilling on delicate surfaces.

Before every wash, therefore:

• Fully close all zips.
• Lay the zip puller down so it is less likely to catch.
• Put jackets and trousers in a laundry bag when delicate items are being washed alongside them.

Jeans zips, heavy outdoor jackets, sports bags and hoodies with metal zips are especially problematic. Otherwise, they can damage T-shirts, underwear and lightweight blouses in the same load.

4. Pocket check: empty pockets save entire washes

One forgotten tissue, sweet wrapper or coin is enough to spoil a full load of laundry. Paper disintegrates into tiny flakes that cling to every item. Loose change, screws or keys can damage fibre structures and may even scratch the drum.

“A ten-second pocket check protects clothes, the machine and your nerves.”

Be strict with yourself and turn it into a set routine:

• Pick up every pair of trousers individually.
• Check the front, back and side pockets.
• Do not overlook jackets and hoodies – inspect their inside pockets too.

This is particularly worthwhile in family homes, as children and teenagers often leave chewing gum, pens or headphones in their pockets. Finds like these can quickly cause expensive damage in the drum.

5. Give jeans and dark colours extra protection

Jeans may be considered hard-wearing, but their outer surfaces still take a lot of punishment. Other textiles constantly rub against the knees, seat and pocket areas, which can create pale streaks or thin the fabric.

Three simple rules can significantly prolong the life of your favourite jeans:

• Always wash them inside out.
• Wash them together with similar dark colours.
• Select a gentle programme and a moderate temperature.

When the inside takes most of the friction, the outer colour stays richer for longer. It also reduces the chance of dark colour pigments transferring to lighter textiles. This step is particularly valuable for new, very dark jeans.

The “hand rule” to prevent creasing and misshaping

The classic cause of a heavily creased pile of laundry is a drum packed far too full. When items have barely any room to move, they crush one another, water and detergent reach the fibres less effectively, and creases become set into the fabric.

“Your hand should fit comfortably between the laundry and the edge of the drum – then the load is right.”

This simple hand rule is a useful everyday guide. If there is no room left, the machine contains too much. The consequences include:

• severe creases that remain difficult to remove even with steam
• unevenly washed areas
• greater stress on seams and elasticated cuffs

A slightly looser drum load, by contrast, allows textiles to unfold properly. Spinning is quieter, the laundry comes out less creased and many garments can be shaken out and hung up straight away – with no ironing, or substantially less of it.

These five routines at a glance

Routine	Benefit for clothing
Turn inside out	Protects surfaces, prints and delicate fabrics
Fasten buttons	Prevents stretching, distortion and buttons being torn off
Close zips	Reduces scratches, pulled threads and pilling
Empty pockets	Prevents paper debris and hard foreign objects getting into the drum
Use the hand rule when loading	Fewer creases, better washing performance and gentler treatment

How these washing machine habits affect costs and the environment

Clothes that last longer do not merely mean less frustration; they also ease the pressure on household budgets. Anyone who wears their jeans, shirts and T-shirts for four or five years rather than two will naturally need to replace them less often. At the same time, fewer textiles end up in rubbish bins or textile recycling banks.

There is another benefit: if laundry emerges from the washing machine with fewer creases, the iron is used less frequently and for shorter periods. That saves electricity and time, while reducing the risk of scorching delicate fabrics during ironing.

Everyday examples in practice

Typical daily situations show how much impact small mistakes can have:

• A business shirt with its collar button left undone twists in the wash, leaving the collar sticking out unattractively afterwards.
• Jeans with an open metal zip leave pale streaks on a fine cotton dress.
• An overloaded load containing bed linen and towels comes out damp and covered in sharp creases.

Spending a few extra seconds at this stage saves considerably more time later – whether on ironing, buying replacements or painstakingly removing tiny bits of paper from black clothes.

When additional washing aids are worthwhile

Depending on the household, a few useful aids can complement the five basic routines. Laundry bags offer additional protection for underwear, fine knitwear and bras against hooks and zips. A rubber laundry ball can collect pet hair more effectively, preventing it from spreading through every fibre.

Selecting the right wash cycle matters too: use a gentle programme with lower spin speeds for delicate items. Combined with the steps described above, this is usually enough to keep textiles in good condition for much longer – without high-tech equipment or complicated specialist tricks.