Are you guilty of tossing everything into a quick cold wash cycle? While taking shortcuts with laundry is tempting, some items require a bit more TLC.
Certain pieces in your wardrobe deserve special attention, from delicate fabrics to heavily soiled garments.
Don’t let convenience compromise the longevity and cleanliness of your clothes. By giving these 18 items the proper care they need, you’ll extend their lifespan and ensure they look their best after wear.
1. Bed Sheets & Pillowcases
Your bedding deserves more than a cursory wash. Night after night, these items come into close contact with your skin, accumulating sweat, dead skin cells, and other debris. A thorough wash in warm water is essential for proper cleaning.
To combat this, use a warm water cycle with a temperature between (86°F to 104°F). This temperature range effectively removes dirt and kills most bacteria without damaging the fabric.
Wash your bedding separately from other items for optimal results, and use a detergent designed for sensitive skin.
2. Towels & Washcloths
These absorbent items require special attention to maintain their fluffiness and hygiene. Quick cold washes often leave residue and fail to eliminate all bacteria, leading to musty odors and reduced absorbency.
Wash your towels in warm water (104°F to 140°F) using a heavy-duty cycle to keep them in top condition. This higher temperature helps break down oils and remove bacteria more effectively.
Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle once a month to help remove detergent buildup and keep towels soft. Remember to avoid overloading the machine, as towels need room to agitate for a thorough cleaning.
3. Workout Clothes
Your gym gear faces some of the toughest laundry challenges. Sweat, body odor, and bacteria can quickly build up in these synthetic fabrics, and a quick cold wash simply won’t cut it for these hard-working items.
To effectively clean workout clothes, turn them inside out and wash them in warm water (86°F to 104°F) using a sports-specific detergent. These specialized detergents are formulated to break down oils and eliminate odor-causing bacteria that cling to synthetic fibers.
Avoid fabric softeners, as they can clog the moisture-wicking properties of performance fabrics. For stubborn odors, pre-soak items in water and white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing.
4. Underwear & Socks
These intimate garments require thorough cleaning to maintain hygiene and freshness. A quick cold wash may not effectively remove all bacteria and odors, potentially leading to skin irritations or unpleasant smells.
Wash underwear and socks in warm water (86°F to 104°F) using a normal cycle. This temperature is hot enough to kill most bacteria without damaging delicate fabrics. Use a laundry sanitizer or a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle for added hygiene.
Always separate light and dark colors to prevent dye transfer, and avoid overloading the machine to ensure each item gets properly cleaned.
5. Jeans & Heavy Denim
While it’s true that denim doesn’t need frequent washing, when you do clean your jeans, they deserve more than a quick cold rinse. Heavy fabrics like denim require a more robust wash to remove accumulated dirt and oils.
Wash your jeans inside out in warm water (86°F to 104°F) on a normal cycle. This temperature helps to preserve the dye while still providing a thorough clean. Use a specialized denim detergent for raw or dark denim to minimize fading.
To maintain the shape of your jeans, avoid overwashing and air dry them whenever possible. If you must use a dryer, use a low heat setting and remove them while slightly damp to prevent shrinkage.
6. Silk & Delicate Fabrics
Luxurious silk and other delicate fabrics require gentle handling to maintain softness and sheen. A quick cold wash can be too harsh, potentially damaging these sensitive materials.
For silk and delicates, opt for hand washing or use the delicate cycle on your machine with cold water (68°F to 86°F). Use a mild detergent specifically designed for delicates, and avoid wringing or twisting the fabric.
Instead, gently press out excess water and lay flat to dry. If machine washing, place items in a mesh laundry bag to protect them from snagging or excessive agitation. Some silk items may require professional dry cleaning, so always check the care label first.
7. White Clothing
Bright, crisp whites are the hallmark of a well-maintained wardrobe. However, a quick cold wash often leaves white garments dull and dingy.
Wash your whites separately in warm to hot water (104°F to 140°F) using a heavy-duty cycle to keep your whites looking their best. For extra brightening power, add a color-safe bleach or oxygen-based whitener to your detergent.
For stubborn stains, pre-treat with a stain remover before washing. To prevent yellowing, avoid overloading the machine and ensure items are thoroughly rinsed. Drying whites in direct sunlight can also help maintain their brightness naturally.
8. Heavy Stains & Soiled Garments
Heavily stained or soiled clothing requires more than just a quick rinse to come clean. Whether grass stains from a soccer game or grease marks from a DIY project, these tough stains need extra attention.
Start by pre-treating stains as soon as possible. For protein-based stains like blood or sweat, use cold water to avoid setting the stain. Use a stain remover or dish soap to break down the oils for oil-based stains.
On a heavy-duty cycle, wash heavily soiled items in warm to hot water (104°F to 140°F). For extra cleaning power, add an enzymatic stain remover to your detergent. You may need to repeat the process or consider professional cleaning for particularly stubborn stains.
9. Bath Mats & Rugs
These high-traffic items collect dirt, moisture, and bacteria daily. A quick cold wash is insufficient to remove the buildup of grime and maintain hygiene.
Use a heavy-duty cycle to wash bath mats and small rugs in warm to hot water (104°F to 140°F). Add a disinfectant or a cup of white vinegar for extra cleaning power.
To prevent damage to your washing machine, shake out loose dirt before washing and avoid overloading. Check the care label for rubber-backed mats, as some may not be suitable for machine washing.
Air dry when possible to preserve the rubber backing, or use a dryer with a low heat setting.
10. Winter Coats & Heavy Jackets
Your winter outerwear protects you from the elements but also collects dirt, sweat, and odors throughout the season. A quick cold wash won’t suffice to clean these bulky items thoroughly.
Before washing, check the care label, as some coats may require dry cleaning. Use a gentle cycle with warm water (86°F to 104°F) and a mild detergent for machine-washable coats.
To maintain the coat’s insulation properties, add a second rinse cycle to ensure all soap is removed. Use a low heat setting in the dryer or air dry, adding a few clean tennis balls to the dryer to help restore the coat’s loft.
Use a detergent specifically designed for down jackets to preserve its insulating properties.
11. Baby Clothes
Infant garments require special care due to babies’ sensitive skin and the frequent messes they encounter. A quick cold wash may not effectively remove all irritants and bacteria from these delicate items.
Wash baby clothes in warm water (86°F to 104°F) using a gentle cycle and a mild, fragrance-free detergent. This temperature is warm enough to kill most germs without being too harsh on delicate fabrics.
For heavily soiled items or cloth diapers, pre-soak in warm water with a gentle stain remover before washing. Always rinse thoroughly to remove all detergent residue, which can irritate a baby’s skin.
Consider adding an extra rinse cycle for good measure. Air dry when possible, or use a low heat setting in the dryer.
12. Dress Shirts & Blouses
These professional wardrobe staples often require more care than a quick cold wash to maintain their crisp appearance and remove the collar and underarm stains.
Sort dress shirts and blouses by color and fabric type. For cotton and linen shirts, use warm water (86°F to 104°F) on a normal cycle. For more delicate fabrics like silk, use cold water on a gentle cycle.
Pre-treat collar and cuff stains with a stain remover or paste made from baking soda and water. To prevent wrinkles, remove items promptly from the washer and either hang them to dry or iron them while slightly damp.
For best results, iron cotton shirts while still slightly damp for a crisp finish.
13. Kitchen Towels & Dishcloths
These hardworking kitchen items come into contact with food residue, grease, and bacteria daily. A thorough wash is essential to maintain hygiene and prevent odors.
Wash kitchen towels and dishcloths separately from other laundry in hot water (140°F or above) to kill bacteria and remove grease. Use a heavy-duty detergent and add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help eliminate odors.
For heavily soiled items, pre-soak in hot water and baking soda before washing.
Avoid fabric softeners, as they can reduce the absorbency of these items. Dry on high heat to sanitize, or hang outside in direct sunlight for natural disinfection.
14. Lingerie & Delicate Undergarments
These intimate items require gentle care to maintain their shape, elasticity, and delicate fabrics. A quick cold wash can be too rough, potentially damaging lace, elastic, and other sensitive materials.
Hand washing is often the best option for lingerie. If using a machine, select the delicate cycle with cold water (68°F to 86°F) and use a gentle, lingerie-specific detergent.
Always place items in a mesh laundry bag to prevent snagging and tangling. Avoid wringing or twisting, gently press excess water, and lay flat to dry.
For bras, fasten the hooks before washing to prevent them from catching on other items. Never put lingerie in the dryer, as heat can damage elastic and delicate fabrics.
15. Sweaters & Knitwear
Your cozy sweaters and knits need special attention to maintain their shape and softness. A quick cold wash can cause these delicate items to shrink, stretch, or pill.
Check the care label first, as some sweaters may require dry cleaning. Use cold water (68°F to 86°F) on a gentle cycle for machine-washable knits. Turn the garment inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag for extra protection.
Use a mild detergent designed for woolens, even for non-wool knits.
Avoid agitation by not washing sweaters with heavy items. After washing, reshape the sweater while damp and lay flat to dry. Never hang wet sweaters, as this can cause stretching and misshaping.
16. Outdoor Gear & Raincoats
Technical fabrics used in outdoor gear and raincoats require special care to maintain water-repellent properties. A standard quick wash can strip away the protective coatings these items rely on.
Wash outdoor gear and raincoats in cold water (68°F to 86°F) using a gentle cycle. Use a specialized detergent designed for technical fabrics, which will not leave residues that can interfere with water repellency.
Avoid fabric softeners or dryer sheets, which can clog the fabric’s pores.
After washing, tumble dry on low heat to reactivate the water-repellent coating, or use a specialized spray-on waterproofing treatment. For heavily soiled items, pre-treat stains with water and vinegar before washing.
17. Work Uniforms & Heavy-Duty Workwear
These hardworking garments often face tough stains and heavy soiling. A quick cold wash won’t cut it to remove grease, oil, and other stubborn marks.
Pre-treat any visible stains with a heavy-duty stain remover. Wash work uniforms and heavy-duty workwear in warm to hot water (104°F to 140°F) using a heavy-duty cycle.
Add a laundry booster or oxygen-based bleach to your regular detergent for extra cleaning power.
Consider a pre-soak in warm water with a degreasing agent before washing for extremely soiled items. Turn items inside out to protect patches and emblems.
Use the highest heat setting recommended on the care label when drying to help sanitize the garments.
18. Cloth Face Masks
In today’s world, reusable face masks have become more normal to some peoples wardrobes. These items come into close contact with our mouth and nose, making thorough cleaning crucial.
Washcloth face masks in hot water (140°F or above) after each use to kill germs and viruses effectively. Use a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergent to avoid skin irritation. Add a laundry sanitizer for extra protection.
To further sanitize, dry masks on high heat or in direct sunlight. For hand washing, soak masks in hot water and laundry sanitizer for at least 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly and drying completely.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.