12 laundry mistakes you're probably making

By RealSimple.com staff

Updated 1823 GMT (0223 HKT) August 1, 2016

It's time to come clean about the fact that laundry isn't as straightforward as it looks. With a few hacks, laundry will be a breeze.
Photos: Clean up your dirty laundry habits
Clean up your dirty laundry habits – It's time to come clean about the fact that laundry isn't as straightforward as it looks. With a few hacks, laundry will be a breeze.
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Too much soap can actually cause bacteria buildup: Use only half the amount of detergent that you normally do, then gradually increase that amount if your clothes are not coming out as clean as you would like.
Photos: Clean up your dirty laundry habits
Clean up your dirty laundry habits – Too much soap can actually cause bacteria buildup: Use only half the amount of detergent that you normally do, then gradually increase that amount if your clothes are not coming out as clean as you would like.
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There's a big difference between a label that reads "dry-clean" vs. "dry-clean only": The former usually means those items can be hand-washed and air-dried.
Photos: Clean up your dirty laundry habits
Clean up your dirty laundry habits – There's a big difference between a label that reads "dry-clean" vs. "dry-clean only": The former usually means those items can be hand-washed and air-dried.
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Zip zippers all the way to the top before washing.
Photos: Clean up your dirty laundry habits
Clean up your dirty laundry habits – Zip zippers all the way to the top before washing.
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Unbutton shirts all the way before tossing them in the washer.
Photos: Clean up your dirty laundry habits
Clean up your dirty laundry habits – Unbutton shirts all the way before tossing them in the washer.
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Make sure your washer is level; vibrations can damage your floor and prematurely wear out key components.
Photos: Clean up your dirty laundry habits
Clean up your dirty laundry habits – Make sure your washer is level; vibrations can damage your floor and prematurely wear out key components.
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Running back-to-back dryer loads lets you take advantage of retained heat.
Photos: Clean up your dirty laundry habits
Clean up your dirty laundry habits – Running back-to-back dryer loads lets you take advantage of retained heat.
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Place socks in the washer tub first, so they're less likely to attach themselves to other garments.
Photos: Clean up your dirty laundry habits
Clean up your dirty laundry habits – Place socks in the washer tub first, so they're less likely to attach themselves to other garments.
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Story highlights

  • Treat a stain as soon as you can, and dab rather than rub the area
  • In a top-loader washer, put in clothes, then water, then soap
  • Most items that say "dry-clean" can be hand-washed and air-dried
  • Running back-to-back dryer loads is more efficient than waiting

(<a href="http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/top-laundry-mistakes" target="_blank">RealSimple.com</a>)Are you using too much detergent? Overloading the washer? Overdoing the bleach? Find out the answers to these questions and more, and pick up some smart laundry tips in the bargain.

Mistake 1: Rubbing stains furiously