At a Glance
- Brahim Agzoul, five-star resort housekeeping manager, lists the biggest laundry errors that damage clothes.
- Top mistakes include overusing detergent, ignoring care labels, and using bleach.
- Simple swaps-vinegar for softener, wool balls for dryer sheets-save money and fabrics.
- Why it matters: Fixing these habits extends garment life, cuts energy costs, and prevents skin irritation.
Most of us learned to separate lights from darks, but that’s only the beginning. According to Brahim Agzoul, acting housekeeping manager at Morocco’s Kasbah Tamadot, a five-star resort famed for cloud-soft linens, seven routine missteps turn washers and dryers into fabric-shredding, money-wasting machines. Agzoul oversees hundreds of luxury sheets and towels daily; his standards keep them plush and intact season after season.
Stop Stuffing Everything Into Two Piles
“Mixing items can lead to damage and inefficient cleaning,” Agzoul warns. He recommends a multi-compartment bin that goes beyond whites and darks. Think delicates, gymwear, denim, towels. Unbutton shirts, open zippers, and never pack the drum; overcrowding prevents proper soaking and invites snags.
Measure Detergent Like a Chemist
More soap does not equal cleaner clothes. “Excess soap lingers in fabrics, which could cause skin irritation,” Agzoul notes. In high-efficiency machines, leftover detergent seeps deep into fibers, bakes in during drying, and weakens cloth over time. Use the lowest line on the cap unless laundry is heavily soiled.
Skip the Bleach, Grab the Vinegar
Bleach earns a hard pass from most laundry professionals. Swap it for sodium percarbonate powders such as OxiClean; they brighten without the burn. For softness, ditch liquid fabric softener-its residue coats fibers. Instead, add 1 cup white vinegar during the rinse cycle or ½ cup baking soda during the wash to balance pH and fluff fabrics naturally.
Clean the Machine That Cleans
“Over time, residue can build up inside the machine,” Agzoul explains. Run a machine-cleaning tablet such as Active monthly, and swipe rubber seals with a mold-removing gel to evict mildew odors before they migrate to clothes.
Cold Water Is Your Wallet’s Friend
Cold or room-temperature washes prevent dark dyes from bleeding and spare elastic from heat shock. Keep spin speeds low for bras, swimsuits, and underwear to maintain shape and stretch.
Turn Down the Dryer Inferno
High heat shrinks cotton and fries spandex. Read the care label first, then match the dryer setting accordingly. Replace single-use dryer sheets with wool balls; they bounce between fabrics, reduce static, and eliminate the waxy buildup that can become a fire hazard.
Read the Tag-Every Time
“Care labels are often overlooked, yet they are essential,” Agzoul emphasizes. They spell out maximum temperatures, bleach tolerance, and drying methods. When in doubt, take cherished pieces to a dry cleaner; the extra dollars beat watching a favorite sweater emerge toddler-sized.
Key Takeaways
- Sort by fabric, not just color.
- Use the minimum detergent dose.
- Trade bleach for oxygen bleach and vinegar.
- De-gunk the washer monthly.
- Wash cold, dry low, and trust the tag.
