The laundry habits experts wish you’d stop doing

Think you’re taking good care of your clothes? Some of the most common laundry habits may actually be shortening the life of your favorite items and costing you money in the long run. To separate fact from fiction, the National Consumer Unit visited the Good Housekeeping Institute and spoke with Emma Seymour, associate director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, to debunk some of the biggest laundry myths. Myth #1: The dryer is always good for your clothesThe convenience of a dryer is hard to beat, but Seymour says it shouldn’t automatically be your go-to option.”Certain things really do not react well in the dryer,” Seymour said. “It comes down to the finishes, materials used, and just how certain fibers react to really high heat and that tumbling motion in the dryer.”Items you may want to keep out of the dryer:BrasBras are especially vulnerable to heat and tumbling. Seymour demonstrated how dryer damage can cause cups to become misshapen and delicate lace to tear. Another problem? The hooks and hardware on bras can snag other garments during the drying cycle, increasing the risk of rips and damage.What to do instead: Hang bras to dry or place them in a mesh laundry bag before washing and drying.Leggings and athletic wearMany leggings contain elastane and other stretchy fibers that can break down when exposed to high heat.Over time, that can lead to:Loose-fitting leggingsLoss of compressionVisible fiber sheddingSagging in areas that were once snug”If you’re sweating a lot and you want to have a thorough clean, the high heat can help with that. But if you’re not having a huge high-intensity workout, I recommend air drying these,” Seymour said.SwimsuitsLike leggings, swimsuits rely on stretchy fibers to maintain their fit. Repeated dryer use can weaken those fibers and cause swimsuits to lose their shape faster.Wool and cashmere sweatersThis is one item Seymour says should almost never go in the dryer.”High heat on these sweaters will cause the knit fibers to lock together, and it creates a really dense, hard material,” Seymour said. In severe cases, a sweater can shrink dramatically and become unwearable.Myth #2: Fabric shavers ruin your clothesIf you’ve ever seen little balls of fuzz on a sweater, you’ve seen pilling.The good news? Pilling is completely normal and doesn’t necessarily mean a garment is low quality.The bad news? Those pills can make clothing look older and more worn than it really is.Are fabric shavers safe?According to Seymour, yes.Fabric shavers are designed to gently remove pills from the surface of garments. In fact, she said they’re often a better option than picking at pills with your fingers, which can lead to snagged threads, stretched fabric, loosen the knit structure and create permanent damage. How to use a fabric shaver safelyUse a light touchDon’t press down aggressivelyMove slowly across the fabric surfaceLet the shaver do the work “The gentler you are, the less risk you have of it accidentally nicking the fabric,” Seymour said.Myth #3: Dirtier clothes need more detergentWhen it comes to detergent, more isn’t always better. In fact, Seymour said overloading your machine with detergent can leave sticky residue behind on your clothes. How much detergent should you use?The answer may be less than you think.Seymour recommends following the instructions on the detergent bottle rather than filling the cap to the top. Many detergents require significantly less product than consumers realize.She also recommends selecting the appropriate load size on your machine whenever possible.What about stains?Instead of adding extra detergent, Seymour recommends pre-treating stains. Don’t ignore the care labelIf there’s one takeaway from the Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab, it’s this: Read the label.Every garment comes with care instructions and Seymour says those recommendations aren’t random.Brands conduct testing to determine how fabrics perform under different washing and drying conditions before assigning care instructions.Whether it’s washing temperature, drying recommendations or special handling instructions, following those labels can help extend the life of your clothes and protect your investment.Quick laundry rules to rememberAir dry bras, leggings, swimsuits and delicate fabrics when possible.Use fabric shavers instead of pulling at pills.Measure detergent according to the label.Pre-treat stains instead of adding extra soap.Check the care label before washing or drying.The extra few seconds can help your clothes last longer, look better and save you money over time.Stay Connected With the National Consumer UnitGet clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.comSubscribe to our twice-weekly consumer newsletter for in-depth explanations and practical guidance.