How to Fix Common Laundry Problems

Laundry doesn’t always go as planned. These issues can turn a basic chore into a guessing game, whether it’s mysterious stains, shrinking clothes, or leftover detergent.

But the good news?

Most laundry problems have simple, straightforward fixes, especially when you understand what’s going wrong in the first place.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common problems laundromat users face and show you laundry solutions to solve them fast.

What Causes the Most Common Laundry Issues

Before jumping into solutions, it’s essential to understand what causes laundry mishaps in the first place.

Many of the most frustrating problems, like foul-smelling clothes or graying whites, start with simple missteps that are easy to overlook. If you know what to watch for, you can spot the issue before it snowballs.

• Overloading the machine: Stuffing too many clothes into a washer or dryer may seem like a time-saver, but it often causes more trouble than it’s worth. Clothes need room to move in order to get thoroughly cleaned and rinsed. When they’re packed too tightly, detergent can’t circulate properly, and items may come out still dirty or unevenly washed. It also puts extra strain on the machines themselves.
• Using too much or the wrong kind of detergent: More soap doesn’t mean cleaner laundry; it can do the opposite. Excess detergent can build up on fabrics, leave behind residue, and even trap odors. Powder detergents can clump if not fully dissolved, especially in cold water. And some detergents just aren’t meant for high-efficiency or commercial laundry machines.
• Washing with the wrong water temperature: Using hot water on the wrong fabrics can shrink or fade them. Cold water might not be adequate for heavy stains or greasy items. Different materials and stain types need different temperatures, but most people just choose the default and hope for the best.
• Skipping sorting or prep: Throwing everything in one load might feel convenient, but it often causes colors to bleed, whites to turn gray, or delicate fabrics to wear out faster. Sorting the right way by color and fabric type, and checking care labels ahead of time, can prevent most of these issues.

Simple Fixes for Laundry Problems You Can Solve Today

Even when things go wrong mid-cycle, there’s usually a way to salvage the load.

Below are practical, beginner-friendly solutions to five of the most common laundry issues, each one simple enough to try on your next visit to the laundromat.

Get Cleaner Results by Lightening the Load and Pre-Treating

If your laundry looks like it skipped the wash altogether, it usually means your load was too big or not washed thoroughly enough.

Here’s how to fix that fast:

• Reduce your load size: Overstuffed machines prevent detergent and water from circulating properly. Split your laundry into two balanced loads to give clothes room to agitate. This helps lift dirt from fabric fibers more effectively. Even the best machine can’t clean what it can’t reach.
• Pre-treat stains before washing: Use a basic stain remover or dab with detergent and water before tossing clothes into the washer. Letting stains sit until wash time often locks them in permanently. Pre-treating gives tough spots a head start so they don’t survive the wash. It only takes a minute and works wonders.
• Let the cycle finish fully: It’s tempting to cut cycles short to save time, but don’t. Machines are designed with specific rinse and spin stages that flush out detergent and grime. Interrupting the cycle mid-way can leave clothes poorly cleaned or still soapy. A full cycle ensures every part of the load gets properly cleaned.

Remove Musty Smells with a Simple Rewash and Full Dry

A fresh wash shouldn’t leave your clothes smelling worse than before. If your load comes out with a funky odor, here’s how to clear it up:

• Rewash clothes with vinegar or baking soda: If laundry smells off, it usually means bacteria or moisture is lingering. Add one cup of white vinegar or half a cup of baking soda to a fresh cycle to neutralize odors. Both are gentle, natural odor-fighters. Make sure not to combine them; pick one or the other.
• Dry clothes completely: Even slightly damp clothes can develop musty smells quickly. Check that your dryer is running a full, hot cycle and that the lint trap is clear. If air-drying, hang clothes in a well-ventilated space until they’re fully dry. Damp piles are a fast track to funk.

Brighten Dingy Whites with Sorting and Boosters

If your bright whites now look like they’ve taken a stroll through a dust storm, don’t toss them out yet.

Try this instead:

• Always separate your whites: Washing whites with darker or colored items causes dye transfer, even in cold water. Keep whites in their own load to avoid graying or blotchy patches. This is especially important for things like socks, towels, and undershirts. A separate load preserves brightness.
• Try a whitening booster: Add a laundry booster like oxygen bleach or a whitening pod to your whites load. These are gentler than chlorine bleach and safe for most fabrics. They help restore brightness to dulled fabrics without damaging them. Just follow the label instructions carefully.

Protect Clothes from Shrinking or Heat Damage

Washing a favorite shirt only to find it two sizes smaller is one of the worst laundry surprises. The fix? It’s all about temperature control and fabric handling:

• Switch to cold water: Hot water can shrink fabrics, fade colors, and wear out elastic. Cold water is often just as adequate with modern detergents unless you’re disinfecting towels or linens. It’s gentler and more energy-efficient, too. Cold washes reduce fabric stress.
• Use low heat in the dryer: Delicates, knits, and stretch fabrics are all prone to heat damage. Always check the care tags and stick with low or medium heat settings. If in doubt, take items out early and let them air-dry the rest of the way. Lower heat protects texture and shape.

Avoid Residue with Better Detergent Use

It’s ironic, the thing meant to clean your clothes is what’s leaving streaks or chalky marks.

Here’s how to stop detergent from working against you:

• Use less detergent than you think: More soap doesn’t mean cleaner clothes. In fact, excess detergent can build up and trap dirt or leave residue behind. Stick to the recommended amount, especially in high-efficiency machines. Less is often more.
• Try switching to liquid detergent: Powdered soap doesn’t always dissolve completely in short or cold cycles. Liquid detergent is easier on machines and less likely to leave behind white streaks. It’s also easier to measure and pre-treat when needed. This can improve overall wash results.

How to Avoid Laundry Issues Before They Start

Avoiding laundry problems doesn’t have to mean overhauling your routine. Often, it’s just about being a little more mindful before you even hit start.

These practical habits are designed to keep problems from developing in the first place, saving you time, money, and frustration down the line.

• Inspect machines before use: Take a quick look inside the washer or dryer before loading. Leftover lint, spilled detergent, or damp residue from a previous user can affect your laundry results. Wiping out the drum or clearing out the lint trap beforehand helps you start with a clean slate. A 10-second check can save you a ruined load.
• Shake out clothes before loading: Shaking items helps separate stuck-together fabrics and remove debris like tissues or pet hair. It improves how water and detergent move through the load, which can lead to cleaner results. It also prevents clumps that may not rinse or dry properly. A simple shake helps every item wash more evenly.
• Use mesh bags for small or delicate items: Socks, underwear, or delicate pieces are easy to lose or damage. A mesh laundry bag keeps them contained without compromising their cleanliness. It also protects elastic and stitching from getting caught on other garments or drum parts. This small tool prevents a lot of everyday wear and tear.
• Double-check your pockets: Loose tissues, receipts, or gum can make a mess for everyone. Always turn out pockets before loading clothes, especially jeans or jackets. Even small items can melt, stain, or clog machines. It’s a tiny habit that protects both your laundry and the equipment.

Make Laundry Day Easier at ACE Laundry

Don’t let small laundry problems turn into big frustrations. At ACE Laundry, we take care of the details so your clothes come out right the first time. Our commercial washing machines are regularly maintained for optimal performance, meaning fewer detergent stains, more consistent cycles, and better results with every load.

Plus, with convenient features like high-speed extract washers, clean spacious commercial washer and dryers, and easy-to-use payment options, you can save time and avoid the issues that make laundry a chore. Whether you’re tackling a week’s worth of laundry or just a few must-haves, ACE gives you the tools (and reliability) to get it done right.

Ready for better laundry days? Contact us, or visit ACE Commercial Laundry Equipment’s website and experience the difference of a setup designed to solve common laundry problems.