Think you've got it covered when it comes to doing your laundry? Well, think again! Check out this list of the surprising ways you could be going wrong, and how you can put it right!

1. You don't turn delicate clothing inside out first

Delicate clothing can quickly spoil if you don't turn it inside out first - particularly if it has any kind of embellishment on it.

Clothing with prints on them can fade over time if not washed inside out, and items with things like zips and buttons can potentially cause damage to your machine.

By turning your clothing inside out, you're giving a longer life to your clothes, as well as your washing machine.

2. You put wool and cashmere items on a normal wash

This will never end well. Cashmere should never go in your washing machine full stop, while wool should be hand washed ideally, unless you have a wool-specific setting on your machine.

It can be a bit of a hassle, since you can't just shove these items in with your normal load, but you don't want to risk items shrinking or being irreparably damaged.

3. You don't check pockets thoroughly enough

If you're anything like us, over the course of the day you might end up with all sorts of rubbish in your pockets.

Loose change, tissues, hair bands - you name it. Unfortunately though, these bits and pieces can get stuck in your machine - even damaging it if it's things like coins, while bits of tissue can end up shredding all over your clean clothes.

So it's definitely worth checking all pockets before you do a load.

4. You're using the wrong washing powder

Your machine can’t tackle your laundry pile alone. And if you’re continually finding your newly-washed clothes are still stained, it could be time to switch up your detergent.

With a choice of washing powder, liquid and Pods, Fairy Non Bio will do the hard work for you, even at 30 degrees.

Wondering which is the best detergent for baby clothes? The whole Fairy Non Bio range has been awarded the Skin Health Alliance seal of approval. This makes them perfect for the most delicate of skin and, according to lots of parents in our Netmums forum, the best washing powder for babies.

In fact, if anyone in your family has sensitive skin, try Fairy’s Sensitive Skin Dream Team : Fairy Non Bio PODS® and Fairy Fabric Softener.

Fairy Non Bio has been voted the number one laundry brand for sensitive skin*. The cleaning power in the Pods comes from gentle ingredients along with a mild perfume to leave your clothes looking and smelling great.

*Online panel of 3,433 women among which Fairy Non Bio detergent/softener was voted most often as the #1 detergent and fabric softener for sensitive skin.

5. You fill your washing machine to the brim

When all your clothes are rammed into the drum and it's full to the brim, they aren't going to move around so easily and get evenly clean. You may even end up with bits of detergent sticking to certain bits of clothing.

You need all your clothing to be fully submerged in the water in order for them to wash thoroughly. So while it may be tempting to get through your laundry, it may not benefit you in the long run!

6. You let your laundry sit in the machine wet for too long

If you let your freshly washed clothes sit in the machine for too long, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mould, and your clothes will smell damp too.

Even once dry, you won't be able to get rid of that nasty mouldy smell, so you'll end up having to re-wash the laundry anyway.

Leaving wet clothes in the machine for a couple of hours is fine, but much more than six to eight hours and you'll run that risk.

7. You use too much laundry detergent

An all-too easy mistake to make, using too much washing powder or laundry detergent can actually cause more of a problem than you realise.

If you overload your machine with too much detergent, it actually makes it harder for the machine to rinse everything properly, leaving your clothes clogged with soap and even potentially causing blockages in the machine itself.

Not to mention, the money you are quite literally pouring away by using too much. Always read the label for the advised amount of detergent per load.

8. You put new, brightly coloured clothes in with lighter ones

We've all done it at least once, whether we meant to or not, but mixing new, vibrantly coloured clothes with lighter items in the wash is only going to end disastrously.

That perfectly white work shirt could soon be a yucky shade of washed out pink when combined with the kids brand new red school jumper, and once that's happened, it's nigh on impossible to get it to its previous state.

Lesson learnt? Only wash brightly coloured clothes with those of a similar shade, or on their own for the first wash.

9. You put clothes in the tumble dryer that should be hung instead

This cardinal sin means some of your favourite clothes - like woollen knits, silky pyjamas and pretty dresses could either shrink, or completely lose their shape.

When it comes to these delicate items, it pays to take care, be patient, and simply hang them to dry instead.

10. You rub stains

Although you think you're making it better, scrubbing tricky stains could actually be making things worse - causing wear and tear to the fabric.

Always dab, rather than rub, and tend to the stain as soon as you notice it, which will increase the likelihood of it being successfully removed. Vanish works a treat, or baking soda and white wine vinegar.

11. You're using the wrong wash cycle for an item

There's a reason why you have certain cycles for certain types of clothes, and that's because your machine can vary things like the water temperature, intensity of the wash, and length of cycle.

Choosing the correct cycle really will ensure that your clothes last longer and are better protected too. A 'delicate' wash, for example, will use warm or cold water, and have little to no spin. It's also the shortest cycle.

That way, things like silk or wool items, tights, lace and delicate synthetics will be well protected when washed, and will therefore last longer.

12. You're not cleaning your washing machine or dryer filter

Just because it's called a washing machine, don't presume that your machine will automatically clean itself or stay clean.

Mould, bacteria and mildew can build up over time, so try to clean it once a month by running it on a hot wash completely empty.

When it comes to your dryer, even if you empty the lint filter after each use, lint buildup can clog the duct over time and become a fire hazard.

If it's taking more than an hour to dry a load, it's likely your filter is clogged. Once a year, we recommend detaching the hose from the back of the dryer and snake a long brush through to push out any excess lint.

13. You're over washing certain clothing

Items like denim jeans will lose their quality over time if you wash them too much, while things like sweaters, cardigans and skirts shouldn't need washing after just a single use.

Over washing clothing can cause strain on the fibres, causing them to wear more easily, meaning they won't last as long. Putting the washing machine on all day every day also uses an awful lot of energy, so the less washing you need to do, the better for the environment.

It goes without saying though that items like underwear, socks, workout gear and t-shirts should be washed after every use.

Have you got any great hacks for laundry or housework? Share them with other parents over on our forum:

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