Laundry is a chore that many people prefer to put off. Often, we can be tempted to delay starting, or worse, leave clothes screwed up in the dryer. But can you leave clothes in the washer overnight?
Tempting as it may be, the short answer is no, particularly if you want to avoid a build-up of bacteria, mold, and mildew which will create more washing for yourself and could damage your garments.
We spoke to laundry experts for their thoughts on the debate, and here they share their tips on how to do laundry correctly, to ensure fresh-smelling washing every time.
Can you leave clothes in the washer overnight?
The experts have spoken – never leave laundry in your washer overnight if you can, and avoid doing it at all where possible, they say.
Justin Carpenter, founder of Jacksonville Maids begins, 'You should only leave clothes in the washer overnight if you are planning to rewash them. For example, if the clothes are either super dirty, from the thrift shop or you just came back from camping, then it's OK to leave them because you will likely need to wash them again to really clean them.
'I would say at most leave your clothes in the washer for two hours, and that is at a push,' he adds.
When tackling heavily soiled clothes, we recommend using a powerful stain and odor-fighting detergent formula to get the most amount of dirt out in one cycle, which will help you save money on laundry and protect your garments for wear.
Generally speaking, however, you should aim to remove your washing as soon as the cycle is complete urges James King, operations manager at DeluxeMaid. 'The moment the washer beeps, I almost always rush to pull the clothes out, still warm and fresh,' he shares.
Given that it is not recommended to leave your washing machine unattended while it's running, either overnight or when leaving the house, you should schedule your laundry to avoid leaving it to sit for longer than one hour.
The dangers of leaving clothes in the washer overnight
James King, a cleaning expert, explains that the main reason you should not leave your clothes in the washer overnight is the risk of mildew. 'Mildew is no joke,' he says. 'Not only does it make your clothes smell, it can also leave those unsightly spots, especially on fabrics such as cotton or linen.'
While there are ways to get mildew smells out of clothes and towels, it's best to save yourself the trouble by drying clothes quickly, either in the best tumble dryer, on a washing line outside, or on a clothes airer, such as the Joseph Joseph Eclipse 3-Tier Adjustable Laundry Drying Rack available at Amazon, which I tried, loved and recommend for drying laundry in tiny spaces.
'For me, it also feels oddly satisfying knowing I’ve saved myself from the hassle of rewashing or deep ironing wrinkles,' says King. 'Plus, if you end up having to rewash them, it's not just a waste of water and electricity, but also your precious time. So, it's best to scoop up your laundry and get it into the dryer as soon as the wash cycle is done.'
All prices correct at time of publication.
Wool dryer balls are the best eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets. Not only can they be reused time and time again, but they help to fluff up clothes and reduce static.
With four sturdy, spacious aluminum arms, this rotary umbrella drying rack gives you plenty of space to reap the benefits of air-drying laundry.
Whether you are drying clothes outside on a washing line, or are hanging them up on a clothes rack, heavy duty clothes pegs keep them in place to avoid anything flying away or dropping on the ground.
FAQs
Can I leave clothes soaking in detergent overnight?
Leaving clothes to soak in detergents, either in a sink or your washing machine, is best avoided. Chemicals used in laundry detergent tend to be strong, meaning prolonged exposure can damage your clothes.
If you are soaking clothing to remove stains, 30 minutes is usually long enough to help relax the fibers and lift the stain. At most, only leave clothes soaking for three hours before rinsing and washing using a regular laundry cycle.
Taking your clothes out of the washing machine straight after the cycle is only one part of ensuring fresh-smelling results every time. Ensure you regularly remove mold from the rubber seal on your washing machine and leave your washing machine door open between washes to further fight odor-creating bacteria and keep clothesd cleaner.
-
Mandy Moore's modern, minimalist entryway is the perfect mix of textures and patterns – shop the look from $50Mandy Moore combines natural materials with bold patterns to create an entryway that is both contemporary and timeless, and it's simple to replicate
-
Don't dismiss this prolific plant as an irritating weed – it's actually a climate resilient, secret superfood packed with health-boosting nutrientsDiscover how to grow dandelion greens for food, with advice from expert growers
-
I test cleaning tips for a living, and this Velcro laundry hack is my favorite way to remove pet hair from clothes in secondsWho knew a hair accessory belonged in the laundry room?
-
7 things you should never dry clean, from baby clothes to active wear, and what to do at home insteadAvoid irreparable damage and setting stains, laundry experts urge
-
Think twice before throwing out this often recycled item – it's the key to crease-free clothes in your closetIt's perfect in a pinch
-
Will ticks die in a washing machine? Pest pros reveal the important caveat to this quick tick remedyDon’t skip this vital step
-
How to dry shoes in a dryer without ruining them forever – this will stop them shriveling, melting or warpingPreserve the condition of your shoes while truly freshening them up
-
4 reasons why your dryer is getting too hot – avoid a fire risk with these fixesIgnoring these faults can result in a 'dangerous build-up' of heat
-
'It's a luxury' that delivers hotel appeal at home, but do you really need to iron bed sheets?Laundry experts reveal when it's a good idea, and when it's not worth the effort
-
How to make folding laundry easier – 5 tricks from timing to tactics to help you work smarter, not harderTake the stress out of your laundry folding by mastering these tips
