Your Washing Machine Could Be Shredding Your Clothes. Here's Why

Have you found that your clothes have suddenly developed small tears or rips in them after a round in the washing machine? Simply selecting the wrong washing machine setting could be the culprit for your destroyed delicates. Be sure to wash clothes of similar durability and color together to prevent this from happening.  

Another reason your clothes may come out looking like they've been through a cheese grater is due to overloading the machine with clothes, towels, or other linens. While it might save you a bit on your water and electric bill by washing in bulk, ultimately, this choice often results in an inadequate wash that can leave your clothes dirty and even damaged as the tightly packed machine doesn't allow for the clothes to properly move about the wash cycles. Instead, loosely place items into the washing machine so that they and the detergent have room to circulate safely. Still, there are several more steps you can take to avoid shredding your clothes while they wash. 

If you've noticed a number of articles of clothing tearing during the wash, it's time for a thorough inspection of the drum, the large basin into which you place your clothes. Carefully run your hand along the inside of the drum to feel for any protruding pieces, broken hinges, or irregularities in the wall machine. Over time, machines wear and tear — literally — and sometimes require maintenance. Discovering a broken piece along the wall of the drum or on the agitator, the large cylinder in the center of top-loading machines, is likely to blame for shredding your clothes and will require the help of a repair person in order to prevent further issues. 

Another reason your washing machine may be shredding your clothes is due to sharp items on the clothes you're washing. Before loading your clothes, make sure to close all zippers and fasten any buttons. Open zippers can snag on other garments, causing tears, while unfastened buttons can become entangled and cause damage. If you have any bras or garments with hooks and clasps, make sure to secure them. Unclipped bras can easily catch on other clothes. For delicate fabrics or clothes with embellishments, it's best to turn them inside out. This will protect the outer surface from friction and reduce the risk of tears or snags.