Laundry day is a chore that most of us have to tackle every week. But did you know that you could be making some common laundry mistakes without even realizing it? From overloading the washing machine to using too much detergent, there are many ways we can unknowingly sabotage our laundry routine. Let's take a closer look at some of the laundry mistakes you may be making and how to avoid them.

One of the most common laundry mistakes people make is using too much detergent. It may seem like more detergent equals cleaner clothes, but in reality, using too much can actually leave residue on your clothes and cause them to become stiff. To avoid this mistake, be sure to follow the recommended dosage on the detergent packaging and adjust as needed based on the size of your load.

Another mistake many people make is ignoring the care labels on their clothes. Care labels provide important information on how to properly wash and care for your garments, including water temperature, drying instructions, and more. By ignoring these labels, you run the risk of damaging your clothes and shortening their lifespan. Always take the time to read and follow the care instructions on your clothing.

It can be tempting to stuff as many clothes as possible into the washing machine to save time, but overloading the machine is a common mistake that can lead to ineffective cleaning. When the machine is too full, clothes can't move around freely, resulting in uneven cleaning and rinsing. To ensure your clothes come out clean and fresh, be sure to leave enough room for them to agitate properly in the washing machine.

Sorting clothes may seem like an extra step, but failing to do so can lead to laundry mishaps such as colors bleeding onto lighter garments or fabrics pilling due to rougher items rubbing against delicate ones. To prevent these issues, be sure to sort your laundry into separate piles based on color, fabric type, and level of dirtiness before washing.

When you come across a stain on your clothing, it's important to treat it before tossing it in the wash. Skipping this step can result in the stain setting into the fabric and becoming more difficult to remove later on. To effectively remove stains, pretreat them with a stain remover or a mixture of water and detergent before laundering as usual.

While fabric softener can leave your clothes feeling soft and smelling fresh, using too much of it can actually have the opposite effect. Overloading your laundry with fabric softener can leave a residue on your clothes, causing them to feel greasy or waxy. To avoid this, follow the recommended dosage on the fabric softener bottle and consider using dryer balls or dryer sheets as an alternative.

One commonly overlooked aspect of doing laundry is cleaning out the lint trap in your dryer. Failing to do so can not only reduce the efficiency of your dryer, but it can also pose a fire hazard. Make it a habit to clean out the lint trap before each load to prevent lint buildup and keep your dryer running smoothly and safely.