While we love a laundry hack that makes things a little easier, there's one laundry trick all over social media that pros say you should skip. Experts want you to avoid the laundry trick of tossing your detergent cap in the washer with your clothes. While it may seem like it's a great "lazy" cleaning hack, laundry pros say this is one social media fad that's not worth trying.
Carolyn Forté, the former executive director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab, explained that this trick can damage your clothes and leave you with a bigger mess than you started with. The good news is that what she recommends doing instead is still quick and easy, so it won't add too much time to your laundry routine.
This isn't the only viral laundry hack pros want you to skip. Experts say another TikTok-famous laundry trick that involves freezing your liquid detergent to make DIY pods is a no-go. The same goes for another laundry hack that involves tossing a lemon slice into the wash to deodorize and fight stains.
Keep reading to see why laundry pros want you to avoid tossing your detergent cap in the wash with your clothes.
Should you put your laundry cap in the machine?
In this day in age, no. This may come as a surprise, especially because many detergents state on their label that you can add them to the washer to clean. But here's why you shouldn't.
"In older machines that used a lot more water, the cap would likely get rinsed clean, but now, it's more likely to get caught in your clothes, cause snags and even crack and leave behind bits of plastic in your washer," says Forté.
Therefore, it's best to avoid using this "hack," especially if you have a new washing machine.
Instead of tossing the cap in the washer, Forté recommends rinsing the cap separately in the sink. It may take a few extra seconds, but your clothes and washer will thank you.
If you're having a hard time kicking the cap habit, here are a few of our favorite laundry detergents, without caps, that we'd recommend you use instead.
Best Capless Laundry Detergents
Kate (she/her) is the associate editor of The Pioneer Woman Magazine. She writes features, commerce, and travel content. Kate brings nearly five years of home, food, and lifestyle experience to the role, including time as editorial assistant at Good Housekeeping. Her bylines have appeared in Woman’s Day, Food Network Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Dream Kitchens & Baths, and more. When she’s not writing, Kate can be found lazing in the park with a sudoku in hand.
