Wet clothes spread out after washing because it increases their surface area, allowing water to evaporate and dry the fabric much faster, a principle used in laundry to prevent mildew and wrinkles by exposing more of the material to air. Spreading them out, shaking them, and hanging them individually helps separate fibers, while leaving them bunched up traps moisture and slows drying, leading to musty smells or mold growth, as seen in the difference between drying in the air versus a sealed bag.
By spreading we clothes, the surface area available for evaporation increases. Therefore, wet clothes dry faster.
If clothes remain wet after the spin cycle, check the drain hose for kinks or clogs. Inspect the pump filter for debris that may block water flow. Verify the lid switch is functioning, as it stops the spin if faulty. Run a spin-only cycle to test. Clean the tub and agitator to prevent buildup.
Helping your clothes stay vibrant and last longer - Washing with a warm water temperature − on cycles at 40°C or higher – is more suitable for heavy soiling, but can come with a few downsides such as colours fading and shrinking fabrics. Washing at 30 degrees can help keep your colours vibrant an minimise shrinking.
If your washer drains fine but still won't spin, the issue could be an unbalanced load, faulty lid or door switch, or a broken drive belt. Ensure the load is evenly distributed, and check the door switch or lid lock for faults. If the issue persists, a drive belt replacement may be needed.
If your washing machine spins but clothes remain wet, the primary culprit is usually a drainage issue (blocked hose, filter, or pump), an unbalanced/overloaded load, or an incorrect cycle setting (slow spin) that prevents proper water extraction, but it can also signal a failing drive belt or motor, requiring checks for clogs, load balance, settings, and eventually mechanical parts.
60°C is the perfect temperature for killing bacteria, viruses and removing stains. This wash setting is also highly recommended for washing towels and bedding, but obviously this setting is going to increase running costs as the higher the temperature the higher the cost.
Laundering your clothes gets them clean but also breaks down the clothing fibers. Hot water is more damaging to clothing fibers, leading to them wearing out faster and shedding more microfiber particles. Washing in cold helps protect your fabrics to keep them looker newer longer.
It takes between 45 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes to clean items like sheer fabrics, lingerie, sweaters, blouses, pants, jeans or anything recommending a “gentle” cycle on the tag.
Overloading the washing machine can lead to soaking wet laundry. If you cram too many clothes into the drum, it may result in an unbalanced load, which can reduce the spin speed and result in excess water in the drum at the end. To avoid this, follow the recommended load capacity in your owner's manual.
The culprit behind a washer not draining water could be the hose that carries water from the back of the machine. It could be clogged. Or a kink in the hose could be obstructing the water flow. Or it could be that the unit is jammed too close to the wall, constricting water flow through the hose.
Air conditioners can help to dry clothes through their ability to remove moisture from the air. As it conditions the air, it can begin a dehumidifying process whereby the appliance condenses the air into water droplets and capture or expel.
Drying delicate fabrics in direct sunlight
In direct sunlight, silk, lace, and other delicate materials can warp, fade, weaken, or shrink. For these items, use a shaded area or dry them indoors to preserve their quality. Also consider using a shaded area for your activewear.
The most common cause for clothes coming out of the drum soaking wet at the end of the cycle is a washing machine that is either not spinning at the optimum spin speed, or not spinning at all.
You should steer clear of hot water when washing delicate fabrics made of certain fibers, such as silk and wool. Stretchy items such as activewear/workout clothes and undergarments can lose their elasticity in heat. Dark and colorful articles are prone to fading when washed with hot water.
Washing machines don't just randomly shake clothes in water to wash them – though that can work in some circumstances – they agitate clothes in a precise pattern determined by engineers and experts to maximise cleaning potential while minimising water use.
Wash with the hottest water temperature setting listed on the care label. Polyester blends are best washed using warm water, while cotton can tolerate hot water. Hotter water kills most germs and also takes care of dust mites that thrive in bedding. Wash at least once every other week.
Hotels use specialized detergents for washing towels to ensure they remain clean, soft, and durable. These detergents are formulated to effectively remove dirt, oils, and stains while being gentle on the towel fibers.
“You should wash bath towels after 3–4 uses—assuming you hang them to dry completely between uses,” she says. “Towels trap moisture and can become breeding grounds for bacteria and mildew, even if they don't look or smell dirty.”
Laundry detergent buildup will create that grey appearance in whites over time." Her picks? Tide Ultra Stain Release for detergent, and OxiClean White Revive or borax for boosters.
The most expensive washing machine parts to replace are usually the drum and bearings, followed closely by the motor and control board. While some repairs are worth doing, in many cases replacement is the better long-term investment—especially if your machine is older and less efficient.
On average, a washing machine should last between 8–14 years, depending on the type of washer, how frequently it's used, and how well it's maintained. Does front load or top load have a longer lifespan? The average front load washer life expectancy is about 11 years.
For example, the washer could have a malfunctioning water inlet valve or water level pressure switch, or it could be the timer or temperature switches.
No Soaking Wet Clothes
You should always avoid putting soaking wet clothes into a clothes dryer. Clothes that are soaking wet or dripping are heavy and this added weight in a standard dryer could damage it as it spins the load around.