6 Laundry Items You’re Probably Washing on the Wrong Setting

Like most people, you probably try to be cautious about how often you wash your jeans to maintain their integrity and fit. With that in mind, it's important to wash jeans properly and on the right settings. "People typically wash jeans warm, but cold and inside out keeps them from fading and wearing out quickly," says Pinsonnault. For added care, Romine cautions to avoid mixing jeans with delicate or soft items which can get damaged from abrasion and zip zippers to prevent damage and breakage.

Bras are arguably one of the most delicate pieces of clothing that can be washed. Ideally, Pinsonnault says you want to wash them on cold, delicate and in a garment bag. A garment bag will help prevent them from potential snags and damage that can occur in a washing machine. Most importantly, you'll want to check with the brand for their recommended instructions as some bra companies actually recommend hand-washing to help them maintain their shape and supportive construction.

Dark or colored clothes are often washed in warm water with lighter pieces which increases the risk of color transfer and bleeding. "To help combat that, try to wash dark clothes in cold water with other dark garments to minimize dye loss and color transfer," says Romine. It's best practice to keep darks and lights separate and to group together those in the same color family, especially reds and pinks.

Romin explains that athletic wear is commonly washed on a quick cycle with everyday clothes which may not adequately clean them. "Use a normal cycle for effective cleaning, follow detergent dosing instructions and consider adding a clarifying rinse," she says. Additionally, Pinsonnault says athletic wear should be washed on cold to protect stretch and performance fabrics.