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Accessories10 Washing Machine Myths Costing You Money (2026 Maintenance Guide)
- by Brodie Cook
Today’s models use advanced sensors to monitor weight, water, and soap levels. While this technology saves energy, it also means laundry habits from the past can actually cause harm.
Following common myths is an expensive mistake. Understanding the facts helps you avoid a breakdown and keeps your machine running years longer.
Here are the top 10 laundry myths to stop believing today, with simple tips to protect your machine.
The Detergent Dilemma: Why "More" is "damage"
Doing the laundry seems easy. You put clothes in and add soap. Most people think more soap makes clothes cleaner. This is actually a mistake that can damage your machine and waste your money.
Myth #1: More detergent equals extra clean
More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes.
Using too much soap creates Suds Lock. This is when your machine fills up with too much foam. Modern washing machines have smart sensors. These sensors think the foam is air and try to wash it away. This 'Suds Lock' triggers automatic recovery cycles that can waste up to 30 litres of water per wash, according to Bosch technical documentation. I can imagine this is similar to other modern washers.
Tip: If your laundry is very dirty, do not just add more detergent. Wash a smaller load, use a longer or heavier cycle, or pre-treat stains first. Dirty clothes need enough water, time, and movement to clean well.
Myth #2: Liquid detergent is better than the restLiquid detergent is common, but it can be a hidden cause of machine odours and pollution
The Fact: Many liquids contain fats and oils that don't fully rinse away. These residues build up to create Biofilm, it is a grey, smelly slime on the outer drum that breeds bacteria.
Besides the fact that they come in big plastic jugs, traditional liquid detergents often rely on heavy thickeners to look premium. However, these ingredients contribute to the smelly 'grey slime' that builds up inside your machine. Research shows that more than 60% of conventional detergents still use these synthetic polymers (other word for microplastics!) as 'opacifiers' just to create a pearly appearance, adding unnecessary residue to your drum and sensors.
Tip: Avoid fatty liquids to prevent "rotten egg" smells. If you use them, run a 60°C wash monthly to melt away any leftover oil.
Chemical Hazards: Home Remedies vs. Machine Health
Many people use old "home hacks" to save money. While these tips are popular on the internet, some can actually break your washing machine.
Myth #3: Vinegar is the best natural cleaner
Vinegar is cheap and natural. Many people use it instead to clean the inside of the drum.
But Vinegar contains acetic acid. This acid is too strong for the internal parts of your washer. Most modern machines use EPDM rubber for door seals and water hoses. Over time, the vinegar eats the rubber and makes it brittle. This causes the rubber to crack, which leads to water leaks inside your machine.
Tip: For regular cleaning, it is better to use a washing machine cleaner or run a proper drum-clean cycle as recommended by your machine manual.
Myth #4: Bleach is the only way to sanitise a load
Bleach is not the only way to freshen and sanitise laundry.
For fabrics that cannot handle high heat, try a longer wash cycle, proper drying in sunlight. These options are usually gentler on fabric than chlorine bleach and can still help with smells, stains, and hygiene.
Mechanical Misconceptions: Loading and Heat
How you load your machine and how you dry your clothes will change how long they last. If you get these two things wrong, your clothes will wear out or shrink.
Myth #5: You can fill the drum to the top
It is tempting to shove as many clothes as possible into the machine to save time. As long as the door closes, it’s fine, right?
The fact is, your clothes need space to move. To get clean, clothes must rub against each other and fall through the water. This is called mechanical action. If the machine is too full, the clothes just sit in a tight ball, and the dirt stays trapped.
Tip: You should always use the "One Hand Rule." Leave a 10–15cm gap at the top of the drum. If you can’t fit your hand above the laundry easily, the machine is too full.
Myth #6: The dryer is the only reason clothes shrink
Most people blame the dryer when their favourite shirt comes out too small. While heat is a factor, it isn't the only cause.
Shrinkage happens because of a mix of moisture, heat, and moving around (agitation). The biggest problem is actually over-drying. Modern dryers have sensors to tell when clothes are dry. However, if you use a traditional liquid fabric softener, a thin layer of wax builds up on these sensors. This makes the dryer "blind." It keeps heating even when the clothes are dry, which bakes the fibres and causes them to pull together and shrink.
Tip: Every few months, dampen a cloth with a small amount of white vinegar and wipe down the metal sensor bars (usually found near the lint filter). The acidity of the vinegar cuts through the waxy buildup perfectly.
Important Note: Only use vinegar on the metal sensor bars. Avoid getting vinegar on the rubber door seals or gaskets, as the acid can cause the rubber to perish and crack over time.
Pro Tip: Switch to our detergent sheets to prevent scrud and waxy, slimy buildup. Our sheets provide a powerful clean without the use of harsh chemicals.
Temperature and Efficiency Secrets
Many people choose the "Tap Cold" setting because they think it uses the least amount of energy. They believe it is the best way to be "green."
Myth #7: “Tap cold” is the most eco-friendly settingCold washing is a great way to save energy, but there is a big difference between a cool wash and an ice-cold wash
In many northern countries, winter tap water temperatures can drop as low as 4°C to 10°C. This is a problem because most modern detergents are engineered to work at temperatures of 15°C to 20°C. Below this range, the active cleaning enzymes remain dormant. If the water is too cold, laundry sheets or pods may not fully dissolve. This often leaves white residue on your clothes and results in stains that do not budge. This forces you to run a second wash, which completely wastes the energy you were trying to save in the first place.
Tip: Instead of using the "Tap Cold" setting, which changes with the seasons, manually select a 20°C cycle. This is the "sweet spot" for eco-conscious washing. It uses a tiny amount of heat to take the chill off the water. This ensures the detergent dissolves and the enzymes activate so your clothes get clean the first time.
Myth #8: A shiny drum means a clean machine
A shiny drum does not always mean the machine is clean.
The part that matters most is the heating element, which is hidden deep inside the machine. In areas with "hard water," minerals build up on this heater. This is called limescale. You cannot see it, but it acts like a thick blanket. Just 2mm of limescale on the heater makes it much harder for the machine to warm the water. This can increase your energy use by 15% because the machine has to work much longer to reach the right temperature.
Tip: For an eco-friendly deep clean, pour half a cup of Citric Acid powder into the empty drum and run a 60°C wash. This natural fruit acid dissolves hidden limescale on the heating element while remaining gentle on your machine. While some people suggest white vinegar, its high acidity can actually perish and crack the internal rubber seals and hoses over time. Using citric acid keeps your machine efficient and saves you money on power without the risk of damaging the internal parts.
Appliance Maintenance Myths
Your washing machine works hard to clean your clothes, but it cannot stay clean all by itself. If you ignore the manual maintenance, your machine will start to smell and eventually break down.
Myth #9: Self-cleaning cycles do not require manual cleaning
A self-cleaning cycle helps clean the drum, but it does not clean everything.
It only cleans the surface of the drum. It cannot reach the Drain Pump Filter, which is usually behind a small door at the bottom of your machine. This filter catches hair, coins, and "Scrud" (that grey, waxy slime). If you don't pull the filter out and wash it by hand every few months, the dirty water will just sit there and make your clean clothes smell. You also need to pull out the detergent drawer and scrub it, as mould often grows behind it where the water enters the machine.
Tip: Read our guide on how to clean a washing machine (front load)
Myth #10: Dishwasher tablets can clean a washing machineDishwasher tablets are made for dishwashers, not washing machines
They are very abrasive and have a different chemical balance. Inside your washing machine is a part called the spider arm. This is an aluminium piece that holds the drum in place. The harsh chemicals in dishwasher tablets can cause "pitting", which means they eat small holes into the metal.
Over time, this makes the metal weak until it snaps. Once the spider arm breaks, the machine is usually impossible to fix. It is much safer to use a dedicated washing machine cleaner.
The Maintenance Checklist
To keep your washing machine running like new, follow this simple routine. Small changes in how you wash will prevent expensive repairs and keep your clothes looking fresh.
Quick Maintenance Summary
| Task | Frequency | Why it matters |
| Clean Drain Filter | Every 3 months | Prevents bad smells and pump failure. |
| Hot Service Wash | Once a month | A 60°C or 90°C wash kills bacteria and mould. |
| Wipe Door Seal | After every wash | Prevents "Biofilm" and leaks. |
| Minimum Temp | Use 20°C minimum | Ensures detergent dissolves properly. |
| The Gap Rule | Leave 10–15cm | Space at the top lets clothes tumble clean. |
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