Some clothes aren’t built to handle constant spins in the washer, but most people throw everything in together and hope for the best. The truth is, certain fabrics and pieces break down faster the more you wash and dry them.
That’s why your favorite top, leggings, or pair of jeans starts looking old long before it should. If your laundry routine is doing more harm than good, these are the items taking the biggest hit every time you press start.
Leggings
Leggings might feel indestructible, but their stretch fibers can’t handle frequent high-heat cycles. Every wash breaks down the spandex, which is why they start to sag or lose shape. Turn them inside out, wash on cold, and skip the dryer when you can. Air-drying helps them keep their fit and color longer.
Jeans
Washing jeans too often makes them fade, stiffen, and lose their fit. Denim doesn’t need frequent washing—spot cleaning or freezing to kill bacteria works between wears. When you do wash them, go cold and avoid the dryer. It helps maintain the dye and keeps the fibers from wearing thin.
Sweaters
Wool and knit sweaters are sensitive to heat and agitation. Tossing them in the wash can stretch or shrink them beyond repair. Hand wash them in cool water or use the delicate cycle inside a mesh bag. Always lay flat to dry—hanging them while wet can stretch them out permanently.
Bras
The elastic in bras wears out fast under harsh washing conditions. The twisting and tumbling in a regular cycle damages the underwire and fabric. Hand wash in cool water with gentle detergent or use a lingerie bag on delicate. Skip the dryer altogether—air-drying helps keep the band and cups in shape.
Activewear
Performance fabrics are designed to wick sweat, not handle heat. Washing them with regular detergent or drying on high can break down their stretch and make them smell worse over time. Wash them in cold water with a detergent made for synthetics, and hang dry to keep them fresh and flexible.
Delicate blouses
Silk, chiffon, and satin tops don’t belong in a regular load. The friction from heavier fabrics and spinning can pull threads or create snags. Wash them by hand or use the delicate cycle with a mild detergent. Hang or lay them flat to dry—never wring or twist to remove water.
Printed t-shirts
Those graphic tees fade fast when washed on hot or thrown in the dryer. The heat cracks and peels the print while the agitation wears down the fabric. Turn them inside out and wash in cold water to protect the design. Air-drying or using low heat keeps the colors bold and the fit right.
Jackets with insulation
Puffer jackets and coats with down or synthetic fill can lose their loft in a harsh wash cycle. Regular detergent clumps the insulation and ruins the warmth. Use a down-safe detergent and tumble on low with clean tennis balls to keep the fluff even. Too much heat or soap, and it’s flat for good.
Lingerie
Lace, mesh, and delicate trims can’t handle machine agitation. Even on delicate, the tiny hooks and seams can snag or tear. Hand wash with a gentle soap and air-dry flat. It takes a few extra minutes but keeps your lingerie looking new instead of stretched and frayed.
Workout socks
It’s easy to toss your athletic socks in with everything else, but over time, the high heat destroys their elasticity and padding. That’s why they lose their bounce and slip inside your shoes. Wash them in cold water and skip the dryer when possible to help them last through more workouts.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
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