Washing machines, while convenient, can wear out clothes faster than hand washing due to their strong mechanical action. Overloading the drum or loading clothes carelessly increases friction, stretching, and tangling, which can lead to tearing.

Simple Hack to Reduce Fabric Damage

Placing two sealed plastic water bottles inside the washing machine can protect your clothes. As the drum spins, the bottles rotate with the clothes, acting as buffers to reduce friction and prevent tangling. During the spin cycle, they also gently knock against clothes, helping to loosen dirt and improve cleaning.

Additional Tips for Longer-Lasting Clothes

1. Sort Clothes Before Washing:
   Separate fabrics by type and color, and check pockets for sharp or small objects to prevent damage and color transfer.

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2. Soak Clothes First:
   For cotton or thick fabrics, pre-soak clothes in detergent and water for 20–30 minutes to loosen stubborn stains before running the cycle.

3. Use Rice Vinegar for Stains and Odors:
   Add 200ml of rice vinegar with detergent, run the machine briefly, then let clothes soak for 20 minutes. Vinegar helps break down tough stains (like fruit juice or oil) and removes lingering odors, leaving clothes fresher.

Important: Make sure the bottle caps are tightly sealed before placing them in the machine to ensure effectiveness.

Other Washing Machine Tips for Cleaner, Longer-Lasting Clothes
Sort Clothes Before Washing
Separate clothes by material and color before loading them into the washing machine. Always check pockets for small or sharp objects that could damage fabric or harm the machine. Sorting also prevents light-colored clothes from picking up stains from darker or lower-quality dyed fabrics.

Soak Clothes Before Washing
Certain fabrics, like cotton or thick materials, are harder to clean, especially when stained. To improve washing results, fill the machine with water, dissolve detergent, and soak clothes for 20–30 minutes before starting the cycle. This helps loosen stubborn stains, making them easier to remove.

Use Rice Vinegar for Stain and Odor Removal
A handy trick for tougher stains is adding 200ml of rice vinegar to the washing machine along with detergent. Run the cycle briefly to mix the vinegar and detergent, then turn off the machine and let the clothes soak for 20 minutes before washing as usual.
Rice vinegar helps break down stains like fruit juice or oil and effectively eliminates lingering odors, leaving clothes fresher and cleaner.