Laundry is one of those household jobs that never really ends. From favourite shirts coming out smaller than expected to towels smelling a little off, daycare and school uniform stains, or the washing machine itself developing an unpleasant odour, there is always something to keep on top of. The good news is that many common laundry problems can be managed with a few simple habits, and modern laundry appliances now include features that can help too. Depending on the model, today’s washing machines and dryers may include settings such as delicate cycles, steam functions, drum clean programs, hygiene cycles, sensor drying and lower heat options to help care for clothes and keep laundry day running smoothly. From understanding why clothes shrink to knowing how to keep your washing machine fresh, a little know-how can help protect your clothes, improve wash results and make laundry day feel a little easier. Why Are My Clothes Shrinking After Washing? In a technical sense, your clothes are not always shrinking in the way you might think. In many cases, the fibres are simply returning closer to their natural state. Take a cotton t-shirt, for example. The fibres within the threads are stretched during the manufacturing process so they can be woven into fabric and shaped into a garment. When those fibres are exposed to water, detergent, movement and heat, they can relax and tighten back up. The end result is a garment that looks like it has magically shrunk in size, when the fibres have simply contracted from their stretched state. How Can I Prevent Clothes from Shrinking? There are a few ways to help prevent your wardrobe from turning into a collection of clothes that no longer fit. The first step is to always check the care label before washing or drying. The care label is there to guide you on the best water temperature, cycle type and drying method for that garment. Washing in cold water is a practical choice for many everyday items and can help reduce the risk of shrinkage. It can also be gentler on fabrics and may help reduce energy use compared to hot washes. Using the right appliance setting can also help reduce the risk of shrinkage. Many washing machines include delicate, wool, hand wash or cold wash programs designed to be gentler on fabrics, while some dryers include sensor drying, low heat or delicate settings to help prevent unnecessary heat exposure. You can also help reduce shrinkage by: Using a gentle or delicate wash cycle where needed Avoiding high heat dryer settings Washing similar fabrics together Removing clothes from the dryer once dry Following care labels closely Choosing fabrics that are less prone to shrinking Some garments are also pre-washed during manufacturing, which can make them less likely to shrink later. Fabric blends that include synthetic fibres may also behave differently to natural fibres, as materials such as polyester do not absorb water in the same way as cotton. Why Does My Washing Machine Smell? Doing the laundry can be unpleasant enough without a bad smell coming from the washing machine. If your washing machine has developed a funky odour, it is usually a sign that moisture, residue or debris has built up somewhere inside the appliance. When damp areas are left untreated, they can create the ideal environment for bacteria and mould to grow. A washing machine smell can come from several areas, including the drum, door seal, detergent dispenser drawer, filter, sump hose or heating elements. Towels are often one of the first things to pick up a musty smell because they are thick and absorbent. Washing at lower temperatures can be more energy efficient, but doing this all the time may not always remove bacteria and residue effectively. Using too much detergent can also cause problems, as excess detergent may not rinse away properly and can leave soap scum inside the drum, dispenser or seal. Common causes of washing machine smells include: Lingering moisture Detergent or fabric softener build-up Blocked filters Low-temperature washing over long periods Wet clothes left sitting in the drum Poor ventilation in the laundry Some washing machines also include drum clean or tub clean cycles, which are designed to help remove residue and build-up from inside the machine. Using these regularly, along with cleaning the door seal, detergent drawer and filter, can help keep your washing machine fresher. How to Prevent Mould and Bad Smells Mould needs moisture to grow, so ventilation is one of the easiest ways to help prevent washing machine smells. After each wash, leave the washing machine door slightly open for a short while to let moisture escape. It can also help to leave the detergent dispenser drawer open so any remaining water can dry out. Make sure you are using the right detergent for your washing machine and follow the instructions on the packaging. Using too much detergent or fabric softener can leave residue behind, which may lead to unpleasant smells over time. It is also a good idea to clean your washing machine every few weeks, especially if your household uses it often. Wipe down the door seal, rinse the detergent drawer, check the filter and run a hot maintenance cycle or drum clean cycle if your machine has one. Always follow your washing machine manual when cleaning filters or running maintenance cycles. Simple Laundry Habits That Help Small laundry habits can go a long way in keeping clothes fresh and appliances working well. Try to avoid leaving damp clothes sitting in the washing machine for too long after the cycle finishes. If your washing machine has a delay end or timer feature, you can set the wash to finish closer to when you will be home and ready to move the load. Sort laundry by fabric type where practical, especially when washing delicate items, clothes that are more likely to shrink or kids’ clothing with everyday daycare and school uniform stains. Using the right wash cycle for each load can help protect your garments and improve the final result. When drying clothes, avoid using high heat unless the care label says it is suitable. Dryer settings such as low heat, delicate or sensor drying can help protect garments and reduce unnecessary heat exposure. Keep Laundry Day Running Smoothly From shrinking clothes and daycare or school uniform stains to musty washing machine smells, many common laundry issues come down to heat, moisture and everyday habits. By checking care labels, using the right wash settings, avoiding excess detergent and keeping your washing machine clean, you can help protect your clothes and keep laundry fresher for longer. Modern washing machines and dryers also include features that can help make laundry care easier. Depending on the model, this may include steam wash functions, drum clean cycles, delicate cycles, hygiene settings, sensor drying, low heat options and gentle programs. These features can help refresh fabrics, care for delicate garments, manage drying time and reduce some of the guesswork from everyday laundry. Ready to make laundry day easier? Explore Betta’s range of washing machines and clothes dryers online or in store, and find laundry appliances with features that suit your household routine. Common Laundry Questions Is the washer or dryer causing my clothes to shrink? It can be either. Hot water in the washing machine can cause fibres to tighten, while high heat in the dryer can also contribute to shrinkage. Always check the garment care label and choose wash or dry settings suited to the fabric. Can I fix clothes that have shrunk? You may be able to gently reshape slightly shrunken clothes by soaking them in lukewarm water, removing excess moisture with a towel and carefully stretching the garment back into shape before letting it dry flat. How do I get rid of a bad washing machine smell? Wipe down the door seal, clean the detergent drawer, check the filter and run an empty hot maintenance cycle or drum clean cycle if your machine has one. Always follow the cleaning instructions in your appliance manual.
