How to wash clothes in a washing machine (with expert tips)

1. Sort your laundry

Keep your clothes and other household items, such as towels, looking great by sorting them into different piles for washing, according to color, fabric, weight, and more specifically depending on the following criteria:

Whites: Include white items like undershirts and socks.

Lights: Group light-colored items together.

Darks: Sort dark items like black, navy, brown, and red.

Delicates: Separate fragile items that need gentle washing, such as silks, lace, fine knits, and delicate underwear (pop these into mesh bags first to avoid tearing or damage).

Denim: Wash sturdy jeans and denim jackets separately from other clothes.

Towels/linens: Wash towels, sheets, and other linens together.

Heavy soils: Separate extremely dirty items like gardening clothes.

Colors that bleed: Group brightly colored items or brand-new clothes you’re not sure about.

Properly sorting laundry takes a bit more time upfront but helps your clothes last longer and look their best in the long run. Once you’ve sorted your laundry loads, you’re ready to wash!

Sarah Dempsey explains: "Different fabrics don’t just need to be washed at different temperatures, they require different temperatures and speeds for both washing and drying too."

"Many of us don’t understand the symbols on our clothing labels but you can use an app to scan them with your smartphone. Or if you have an iPhone, you can simply take a photo of the label, press the ‘i’ button and it will tell you exactly what the symbols mean."

2. Check pockets

Before placing your clothes into the washing machine, check all pockets where small items may be hiding. You’d be surprised at what can end up in pockets - loose change, crumpled receipts, forgotten grocery lists, old tissues or pens, and more.

Coins, keys, and other hard objects can bang around violently during the washing cycles, creating fabric holes or rips. Tissues left in pockets will disintegrate into a mess of paper fibers that can clog drains and jam internal components. Pens will leak ink everywhere, ruining an entire load of laundry with indelible stains.

Washing clothes with items still in the pockets can damage your laundry and the washing machine itself, so this step is vital to ensuring a longer life for both.

3. Pre-treat any stains

Check your clothes thoroughly for any stains, especially whites and lighter-colored fabrics.

If you have any stubborn stains, apply a stain remover or a bit of detergent directly to the stained area and rub it in gently. Let it sit for a few minutes before adding the stained item to the wash.

You can also purchase stain-removing treatments to add to your detergent. These can help to break down stubborn stains during the wash itself. There are also many natural ingredients that can help break down stains, such as baking soda, white vinegar, salt, and lemon juice. Make sure you choose the right ingredient for your stain, though!

4. Load the washing machine

Open the washing machine door or lid and place your sorted clothes inside. Be careful not to overload the machine. Leave enough space so that your laundry can agitate and move around. An overloaded machine won't clean clothes properly, and an underloaded machine can waste energy and detergent.

Your washer will come with a weight guide on how much laundry it can take, but it’s not easy to weigh your laundry! As a good rule of thumb, try to leave three to four inches of space at the top of the drum.

According to our experts, overloading is the most common mistake people make. Avoid having to rerun wash cycles, or even your machine breaking down, by following some key advice.

Sarah Demspey asserts: "Overloading the machine can prevent clothes from washing properly. The drum shouldn’t be more than three-quarters full. Similarly, an unbalanced load can prevent your machine from being able to spin properly. Check your manual or use the machine’s sensors to help guide you on the right load size or weight."

5. Add detergent and fabric softener

Measure the right amount of detergent based on your laundry load and the detergent's instructions. Most washing machines have a detergent drawer or compartment where you can pour the detergent. Or you can pop detergent pods or powder directly into the drum.

You may also want to add a fabric softener, especially if you’re washing towels or stiff denims.

Judi Kutner advises: "Detergent needs to be measured properly—too much creates build-up, which causes more issues than it solves."

Sarah Dempsey explains: "Using too much detergent in the wash can trigger your machine to use more water. This prevents excessive foaming but can leave your laundry wetter than usual. So, you may find you need to run the dryer for longer or add an extra spin."

Moreover, overfilling your machine with detergent can lead to other unpleasant and inconvenient mishaps; such as leaking machines, stained clothing, and even machines breaking down.

Trust us, we have been there, even if you're in a rush or it's tempting to add a little more detergent because you think it will lead to cleaner clothes, it is not worth the hassle it could potentially cause.

6. Choose the water temperature and washing cycle

This is where it gets tricky. Many washers offer specific cycles with pre-set temperatures, such as delicates, whites, heavily soiled items, or wools. If yours doesn't, here are some general tips:

Hot water (usually 130°F or 54°C): For whites and heavily soiled items.

Warm water (around 90°F or 32°C): For most colored clothes and lightly soiled items.

Cold water (around 70°F or 21°C): For delicate items, dark colors, and energy savings.

Next, select a wash cycle for your laundry. Most washers offer whites, normal, delicate, and heavy-duty cycles, while others may even give you the option of sportswear or towels. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the specific machine you're using.

Joy Aumann says: "Use the right cycles for your fabrics, like gentle for delicates or regular for everyday clothes, and go for a high spin speed to cut down on drying time."

"If your machine has auto-settings, let it do the work, but always double-check for delicate items. It’s all about matching your load to the machine’s capabilities."

Judi Kutner asserts: "Most machines have pre-set cycles for different fabrics, so pick one that matches what you’re washing. Jeans and towels need a different cycle than silk or other delicate fabrics."

AO laundry expert Gwil Snook adds: "Make sure to check those care labels and pick the right program for your fabrics to prevent any heat damage."

7. Start the machine

Close your washing machine’s lid or door and start the cycle. Some machines have additional options like pre-soak, extra rinse, or a delayed start, so again, follow your specific washer’s instructions.

8. Remove and dry the clothes

Wait until your washer’s cycle has finished and the door or lid has unlocked. Trying to force it open before it unlocks runs the risk of flooding your laundry room and can break your machine.

Remove your laundry and, depending on how you want to dry your items, pop them in your dryer or on a drying rack. Give them a good shake to smooth out any wrinkles or creases. Hang delicate items to air dry or use a low temperature in your dryer.

After your cycle has finished, it's advisable to get into the habit of performing quick and easy care and maintenance routines, such as the following, as our expert Sarah Dempsey suggests:

"After every use, make sure you leave the door and detergent drawer open to allow air to circulate and prevent the growth of mold. It’s also a good idea to check the drum and door seal are free from fluff."

"Wiping around the inside with a damp microfibre cloth is an effective way to remove lint and other trapped particles. Once a month, give your drum a bit of a sniff. If it has a stale smell, run a drum-cleaning cycle."