Laundry Done Right Starts with Good Habits

Overloading the Washer

When you’re short on time, it’s tempting to stuff as many clothes as possible into a single load. After all, more clothes per wash means fewer loads, right? Unfortunately, this habit is one of the fastest ways to wear out your wardrobe and your washing machine.

When a washer is overloaded, clothes don’t have enough space to move freely. Detergent and water can’t circulate properly, which leads to uneven cleaning - and sometimes even detergent residue baked into fabric fibers. Plus, zippers, buttons, and rough fabrics rub together, causing unnecessary friction and damage.

The Fix:

Follow the "hand-width" rule. When loading your washer, leave at least a hand’s width of space at the top of the drum. This gives your clothes enough room to tumble and clean efficiently. If you’re using high-efficiency front-load washers (like the ones at Tip Top Laundry), less is definitely more - these machines are designed to clean with minimal water and space.

Using Too Much Detergent

If a little detergent cleans well, more must clean better - right? Not exactly. Using extra soap doesn’t make your clothes cleaner; it often makes them dingier over time.

Excess detergent creates too many suds, trapping dirt and grime instead of rinsing them away. This buildup can leave your clothes stiff, dull, or even smelling musty after washing. It can also leave residue inside your machine, which leads to mildew growth and that unpleasant "washer smell".

The Fix:

Read the detergent label carefully, and measure each time - especially if you’re using a concentrated liquid or pod system. Most loads only require a small amount of detergent (around two tablespoons for a medium load). Using the correct amount helps your machine rinse thoroughly and your clothes last longer.

At Tip Top Laundry, our high-efficiency washers automatically balance detergent, water, and cycle strength for optimal cleaning - so there’s never too much or too little soap.

Ignoring Fabric Care Labels

Those little tags inside your clothes may not be stylish, but they’re important. Fabric care labels tell you everything you need to know about how to properly wash, dry, and iron your garments. Ignoring them can quickly turn a fitted sweater into a doll-sized one - or leave once-soft fabrics stiff and faded.

For example, cotton blends may shrink in hot water, while delicate synthetics like rayon or silk may lose their shape in high heat or agitation cycles. Even sturdy jeans can fade quickly if you use bleach or wash them too often.

The Fix:

Take a few seconds to read labels before tossing items in the machine. Sort laundry by fabric type and color, not just light and dark. Wash delicates separately on a gentle cycle, and hang them to dry whenever possible. If you’re using Tip Top Laundry’s wash-dry-fold service, our trained attendants follow fabric-care guidelines carefully so your clothes come back fresh, folded, and in great shape.

Overusing Heat in the Dryer

Heat can be your wardrobe’s worst enemy. While it’s great for sanitizing towels and sheets, excessive dryer heat can shrink cotton, fade colors, and weaken elastic fibers. If your favorite T-shirt suddenly fits like a crop top, high dryer temperatures are likely to blame.

Over time, constant exposure to heat also breaks down stretchy fabrics, like those used in leggings, underwear, and sportswear. The result? Clothing that looks old and worn long before its time.

The Fix:

Use lower heat settings or air-dry whenever possible. Most clothes don’t need a full, high-heat cycle to dry completely - especially in Arizona’s dry climate. If you hang clothes immediately after washing, the desert air does half the work for you. For laundromat users, our Tip Top Laundry dryers offer precise temperature control, so you can choose the perfect balance of efficiency and fabric care.

Neglecting to Clean Your Washer and Dryer

It’s easy to forget that the machines that clean your clothes need cleaning too. Over time, detergent residue, lint, and fabric softener build up inside washers and dryers, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and mildew. Not only can this cause odor issues, but it can also transfer grime back onto your freshly washed clothes.

A clogged lint trap in the dryer also reduces efficiency, increases drying time, and poses a potential fire hazard.

The Fix:

Once a month, run an empty cycle with hot water, a cup of white vinegar, and a half cup of baking soda to clean your washer naturally. Wipe down the rubber seals and detergent drawer afterward. For dryers, empty the lint trap after every use and vacuum the vent area occasionally to keep airflow strong.

At Tip Top Laundry, our equipment undergoes daily cleaning and professional maintenance, ensuring every load gets a truly fresh start.