Many people unknowingly shorten the life of their clothes with one simple mistake: mishandling zippers and buttons before washing. Experts explain how small changes in laundry prep can prevent damage, save money, and keep garments looking new.
Leaving zippers open and buttons fastened before tossing clothes in the washing machine is a habit that quietly damages wardrobes across Spain. Laundry specialists warn that these small oversights can lead to snags, tears, faded colors, and premature wear—problems that are often avoidable with a few seconds of preparation.
According to chemical engineer Diego Fernández, known online as @renovandoconideas, the way clothes are prepared before washing matters as much as fabric quality or detergent choice. He points out that many common laundry mishaps happen inside the drum, where friction, tension, and contact between different fabrics can quickly take a toll.
Zippers: Close Before Washing
One of the most frequent mistakes, experts say, is leaving zippers open. While it may seem harmless, Fernández explains that zippers—whether metal or rigid plastic—are "highly abrasive". If left open, their teeth can catch on other garments, tear delicate fibers, or accelerate the breakdown of shirts, blouses, and lightweight fabrics.
Specialists from Al Sako Electrodomésticos agree, noting that an open zipper can snag on fine clothing and even scratch the washing machine’s door or interior surfaces. The team at Ringlete adds that zippers should be fully closed, end to end, to ensure no sharp edges are exposed during the wash cycle.
Buttons: Leave Them Unfastened
With buttons, the advice is the opposite. Many people instinctively button up shirts, polos, or jackets before washing, but experts recommend leaving them undone. Fernández explains that when buttons are fastened, the threads holding them in place are subjected to repeated pulling and twisting as the drum spins. This increases the risk of buttons loosening, breaking, or being torn off entirely.
Al Sako Electrodomésticos specifically advises unbuttoning collars and cuffs, especially on shirts, to protect seams and reduce stress on the most vulnerable parts of the garment.
Turn Clothes Inside Out to Protect Fabrics
Another simple habit that extends the life of clothing is turning items inside out before washing. Home journalist Lucía Garrido notes that this protects the visible side of garments from constant friction, helping colors, prints, and finishes last longer.
Inside the machine, cleaning happens through friction. By washing clothes inside out, the inner side—where dirt and sweat accumulate most, especially around collars, armpits, and cuffs—takes the brunt of the wear, while the outer side stays protected.
Experts also recommend a few additional steps: use short cycles of 30 to 40 minutes for lightly soiled clothes, avoid overloading the machine (no more than two-thirds full), and separate heavy fabrics like denim from delicate items. For underwear, bras, or fine garments, mesh laundry bags can prevent snags, deformation, and drum damage.
As reported by Talent24h, these small adjustments in laundry routines can make a noticeable difference in how long clothes last and how well they look after repeated washes. While fabric and detergent matter, the way garments are prepared for washing often determines whether they stay in good condition or wear out before their time.
