Washing isn't always a smooth process. Sometimes you encounter various issues that cause your laundry to not look as you expected after washing. We have an overview of the most common pitfalls and tips on how to deal with them.
1. Laundry is discolored after washing
This happens when colors from one fabric bleed and transfer to another. To prevent this, always wash colored and white laundry separately.
Do you want your clothes to keep their color for as long as possible? Start by sorting your laundry by color before washing – the more similar the colors, the lower the risk of your clothes fading. If you have multicolored laundry, decide based on the predominant color.
Don't forget to sort laundry by material as well. You can wash cotton and synthetic pieces together, but always wash wool and delicate items separately. If you're unsure how to handle a specific piece of clothing, check the label, which will provide you with all the necessary information.
TIP Check if new clothing bleeds color
Dampen a piece of fabric, cover it with a paper towel , and gently iron it. If the fabric bleeds color, the towel will get stained. If it stays clean, you can safely wash the clothing with other garments.
TIP Check if new clothing bleeds color
Dampen a piece of fabric, cover it with a paper towel , and gently iron it. If the fabric bleeds color, the towel will get stained.When it stays clean, you can wash your laundry without worry with other clothes.
TIP How do you prevent black laundry from fading?
Do you want your black laundry to stay looking new for a long time? First, add white vinegar to the washing machine drum, which locks in the colors. Always place your laundry in a laundry bag to protect the colors from rubbing and fading. Don't forget that dark laundry should be washed at a maximum of 40 °C . html
TIP How do you prevent black laundry from fading?
Do you want your black laundry to stay looking new for a long time? First, add white vinegar to the washing machine drum, which locks in the colors. Always place laundry in a laundry bag to protect the colors from rubbing and fading. Don't forget that dark laundry should be washed at a maximum of 40 °C .
2. White laundry is gray or yellowed
Regularly drying laundry in the sun helps maintain its whiteness, as sunlight acts as a natural bleach.
TIP How to whiten dull laundry with lemon
Do you want your laundry to be bright white again? Try the lemon tip. Soak the laundry in warm water and add a few slices of lemon . Then just wash it as usual and the whiteness is back.
TIP How to whiten dull laundry with lemon
Do you want your laundry to be bright white again? Try the lemon tip. Soak the laundry in warm water and add a few slices of lemon . Then just wash it as usual and the whiteness is back.
3. There are white or gray spots on the laundry
If you find white or gray spots on your laundry, it is usually caused by using too much detergent that doesn't get rinsed out completely during washing. You can solve the problem by reducing the dosage or adding extra rinsing . This will ensure that all detergent residues are properly removed from the clothes, leaving them clean and spot-free.
TIP How to hang laundry
Let stains dry in direct sunlight. When you hang laundry over two lines, it dries much faster. Use special clips for small laundry.Hang t-shirts and shirts directly on hangers. Shake the laundry well before hanging it up to avoid ironing.
TIP How to hang laundry
Let stains dry in direct sunlight. If you hang the laundry over two lines, it will dry much faster. Use special clips for small laundry items. Hang t-shirts and shirts directly on hangers. Shake the laundry well before hanging it up to avoid ironing.
4. Laundry smells after washing
If the laundry smells after being taken out of the washing machine, the moisture in the machine is to blame.Leave the washing machine door open after washing to let it dry. It's also important to regularly clean the washing machine.
TIP Forgotten laundry in the washing machine
Did you forget to take the laundry out of the washing machine and now it has an unpleasant smell? Don't worry, we have a simple guide for you on how to fix it. Turn on the washing machine to the rinse cycle and add a few drops of laundry perfume to the fabric softener compartment.
TIP Forgotten laundry in the washing machine
Did you forget to take your laundry out of the washing machine and now it has an unpleasant smell? Don't despair, we have a simple guide for you on how to fix it. Turn on the washing machine to the rinse program and add a few drops of laundry perfume to the fabric softener compartment.
Prací papírek - alternativa běžného prostředku. Hned se rozpustí v gel, který tvé prádlo dokonale vypere. Skvělý pomocník v domácnosti i na cestách.html
5. Laundry is stiff after washing
The problem may be hard water. It can be softened using special products, and baking soda helps as well . Adding baking soda to the wash is an effective way to soften hard water and improve overall washing efficiency.
The recommended amount of baking soda for washing is usually half a cup (200 g) per load of laundry. Add the baking soda directly to the drum of the washing machine at the beginning of the wash. Avoid pouring it into the detergent dispensers, as it may cause clogging.
Laundry stiffness can also be caused by incorrect dosing of the detergent. It is important to follow the recommended amount and use quality detergents suitable for the type of laundry. The easiest dosing is provided by laundry sheets , which eliminate the need to measure out powder or liquid detergent.
htmlTIP Save on fabric softener
Thanks to using laundry sheets, I've saved 4,000 CZK in a year. Laundry sheets smell great and soften the laundry, so I save on fabric softener. They make dosing easier for me and dissolve even at 30 °C.
TIP Save on fabric softener
Thanks to using laundry sheets, I've saved 4,000 CZK in a year. Laundry sheets smell great and soften the laundry, so I save on fabric softener. They make dosing easier for me and dissolve even at 30 °C.
TIP Do the laundry sheets harden?
Yes, some laundry sheets can harden over time, which affects their effectiveness during washing. Ecohaus laundry sheets do not have this problem. Their waxed packaging prevents moisture and subsequent hardening of the sheets. Another advantage over the competition is their wide range of scents.
They contain only 6 carefully selected ingredients and are also suitable for atopic individuals . They were born as a student project at the Technical University in Liberec and have already received several awards.
TIP Do laundry sheets harden?
Yes, some laundry sheets can harden over time, which affects their effectiveness during washing. Ecohaus laundry sheets do not have this problem. Their waxed packaging prevents moisture and subsequent hardening of the sheets. Another advantage over the competition is their wide range of scents.
They contain only 6 carefully selected ingredients and are also suitable for atopic skin . They were born as a student project at the Technical University in Liberec and have already won several awards.
6. The laundry has lost its shape or has stretched
Loss of shape means that the clothing becomes deformed after washing and no longer fits as it should. This problem most often concernsviscose, silk, fine synthetic blends, and elastane . Follow the care instructions on the label and use gentle programs with low temperatures (30–40 °C) and spin speeds (600–800 revolutions per minute) when washing materials sensitive to high temperatures and mechanical stress.
Stretching is manifested by the elongation of certain parts of the garment and often occurs due to improper drying. A typical example is wool and cashmere sweaters, which can stretch in the shoulder area when dried on a hanger. Wool and knitwear always dry flat on a towel to maintain their shape. Avoid drying in a dryer.
TIP Rescue a stretched sweater
If the garment has stretched, soaking it in lukewarm water and adding a small amount of hair conditioner will help. Let the clothing soak for 20 minutes, then remove it and gently squeeze out the water. Lay the garment on a dry towel and carefully reshape it back to its original size.
TIP How to extend the life of your swimwear?
Swimwear often loses its original shape and color after one season of wear. They will last longer if you hand wash them after each contact with chlorinated water.I always take laundry sheets with me – they are lightweight and take up no space in my bag. I can easily wash my swimsuit in water with a dissolved sheet after swimming.
htmlTIP Save a stretched sweater
If the garment has stretched, soaking it in lukewarm water and adding a small amount of hair conditioner will help. Let the clothes soak for 20 minutes, then take them out and gently squeeze out the water. Lay the garment on a dry towel and carefully reshape it back to its original size.
TIP How to extend the life of your swimwear?
Swimwear often loses its original shape and color after just one season of wear. They will last longer if you hand wash them after each contact with chlorinated water. I always take laundry sheets with me – they are lightweight and take up no space in my bag. After swimming, I simply wash my swimwear in water with the dissolved sheet.
7. Clothes shrank during washing
To prevent clothes from shrinking during washing, we recommend following a few guidelines.Respect the recommended washing temperatures found on the label of each piece of clothing.
Higher temperatures can cause fibers to shrink, so it's ideal to wash delicate and sensitive materials at 30 °C, maximum 40 °C. Besides temperature, the washing program also plays a role. Choose a gentle cycle with lower spin speeds (600–800 revolutions per minute) to reduce mechanical stress on the fabric.
Use detergents designed for delicate fabrics, which are gentler on the fibers and help maintain their original shape. A great choice is EcoHaus laundry sheets . You can find more information on how to properly wash sensitive clothing in the article How to Wash Delicate Laundry .
8.Stains remained on the laundry after washing
Stains on clothing require proper treatment before washing to be effectively removed and not "set" into the fabric. There are various methods – from special stain removers to natural agents that are gentle on clothing and the environment. It is important to react as soon as possible and choose the right cleaning method according to the type of stain and material.
The topic is discussed in detail in the article Get rid of stains easily and effectively , where you can find more tips for their removal. Meanwhile, in the article 10 eco-friendly household products , you will learn how to use baking soda and other natural cleaning helpers when washing.
To show you what baking soda can do, we have a simple trick for removing yellow sweat stains : First, dampen the stains, then sprinkle them with baking soda and let it sit overnight. In the morning, just wash the laundry in the washing machine as usual – and the stains are gone.
For more details on the topic, check out the article Get rid of stains and spots easily and effectively, where you'll find more tips for their removal. Meanwhile, in the article 10 eco-friendly household products , you'll learn how to use baking soda and other natural cleaning helpers when doing laundry.
To show you what baking soda can do, we have a simple trick for removing yellow sweat stains : First, dampen the stains, then sprinkle them with baking soda and let it sit overnight. In the morning, just wash the laundry in the washing machine as usual – and the stains are gone.
9. There are lint balls on the clothes after washing
Lint balls form due to the natural wear of the material – during wear, when the fabric is disturbed by friction, or during washing, when loose fibers clump together. Lint balls most commonly appear in areas that are subjected to frequent friction, such as elbows, armpits, or the inner thighs.
Not only regular wear but also improper washing can worsen the formation of lint balls.How can you prevent the formation of pills?
- Wash clothes on a gentle cycle and don’t overload the washing machine.
- Turn clothing inside out to protect the outer surface of the material.
- Use laundry bags that protect more delicate pieces of clothing from rubbing against other laundry.
TIP Goodbye pills
Did you know that you canremove pills from clothing using a razor ? Stretch the fabric and gently glide the razor over the surface. Be careful not to tear the fabric. Just a few minutes and your clothes will be pill-free.
htmlTIP Say goodbye to lint
Did you know that you can remove lint from your clothes using a razor ? Stretch the fabric and gently glide the razor over the surface. Be careful not to tear the fabric. Just a few minutes and your clothes will be lint-free.
TIP The magic of aluminum balls
We have one more tip for you that not many people know. Try adding aluminum balls to your washing machine. The result will be clothes free of static electricity, and the aluminum balls will also remove small lint. Just be careful that the balls don't have sharp edges that could damage the laundry.
TIP The magic of aluminum foil balls
We have one more tip for you that not many people know. Try adding aluminum foil balls to the washing machine. The result will be clothes free of static electricity, and the aluminum foil balls will also remove small lint. Just be careful that the balls don't have sharp edges that could damage the laundry.
Become a master at laundry
The right procedure for sorting laundry and using our other tips will help you avoid the frustration that sometimes comes with doing laundry.We’ve gone through the most common causes of problems and their solutions, now you can dive into laundry with renewed enthusiasm. With the right care, your clothes will maintain their colors and appearance much longer.
htmlOur selection for you:
Petra Doubková and the entire EcoHaus team
We are a Czech brand created mainly by women and mothers with heart. At EcoHaus, it's not just about selling. Our mission is to transform everyday household care into a meaningful ritual – without chemicals, without waste, and without compromising health. We believe in prevention, which is why we help prevent skin problems through proper care and simple changes in daily life. We teach that eco-friendly cleaning is not a luxury for the chosen few. It's accessible, simple, and beautiful – and everyone can afford it.
We build on expertise, professionalism, and trust. We share proven tips, tricks, and guides that come not only from our experiences but also from the know-how of experts – chemists, dermatologists, and doctors. We collaborate with a sheltered workshop in Liberec and support fair working conditions.
We started from scratch with a student idea, without investors. Today, we help thousands of people keep their homes clean, healthy, and respectful of nature – simply, effectively, and with heart.
If you like our approach, keep following us – on the blog, in the newsletter, and on social media, we share practical tips, inspiration, and news from our world. We're glad you're here.
