Why Throwing Wet Clothes In Your Laundry Hamper Is A Bad Idea

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If you just got home from the beach or a successful exercise session, resist the temptation to just toss your wet clothing into your laundry hamper and move on. Doing so causes all kinds of problems, from creating an unpleasant musty odor that's tough to get rid of to causing nasty stains on other clothing in the basket. Instead, you should skip the lazy toss into the hamper and set out your wet gear in a well-ventilated spot where it can dry properly.

So what actually happens when you put wet clothing on top of dry clothing? The most common issue you'll see is growth of mildew, mold, and/or bacteria, which inevitably causes that nasty odor we mentioned earlier. Mold and mildew love dark, moist conditions, which is exactly what you get in a laundry basket. What's more, if you put something wet directly onto a dyed shirt, that dye could potentially bleed and ruin both items. And if you throw in clothing that's sweaty or dirty, you're creating time for a potential stain to set in.

Wet clothing isn't the only culprit here. Anything that can go in a washing machine is included, like towels and table linens, or clothing covered with mud or grime. Keep all of it away from your hamper, especially if you use a fabric hamper, which could also become wet and create another source of mildew, mold, or bacteria growth. And don't even think about throwing wet gear onto a wooden floor or upholstered chair. Wet wood can warp or buckle, and the upholstery is yet another bit of fabric susceptible to getting dirty or becoming a household mold problem. No one wants that.

Don't fret! There are simple solutions to this problem. Instead of tossing wet laundry into your hamper, just let your laundry air dry first to eliminate the moist, mold-friendly environment. Hang it up on any racks or hooks you have in your bathroom or laundry room. And if you don't have a rack to spare, there are inexpensive portable options available like the Tasevo travel drying rack. As you set your gear up to air dry, we recommend boosting the ventilation in that room, either by opening a window or bringing in a fan, or hanging them outside to help things dry faster before any potential damage sets in. Once the items are dry, then you can toss them in your hamper.

The best course of action, though, is to just wash wet items immediately. There are even revolutionary washing machine settings for tackling dirt to make the job easier. Run a small load, or throw your wet clothing in with other items that need to be washed anyway. We know you're tired and busy, but this option avoids any of the issues listed above, takes care of everything right away, and saves you more hassle overall in the long run. 

Plus, taking care of laundry right away could save you money. It may save on energy and water. Musty, stained clothes take more work to restore to prime condition. That might include pretreating, multiple washes, deep rinses, or extra soaking. Even more, clothes that become stained, soaked with sweat, and left in moist conditions could break down faster, requiring you to replace them. Washing damp laundry immediately or letting it dry first keeps your home healthier, makes things smell better, and saves you money.