At some point, we are all slackers when it comes to laundry. Sometimes we start a load, and then get busy with something else and completely forget about it. Hours later, we remember our forgotten laundry and wonder if it’s too late to save it. So how long can wet clothes stay in the washer? Can you rescue wet clothes from the washer after they’ve been sitting there for hours? Or is it better to start over? Let’s find out!
How Long Can Wet Clothes Stay In The Washer?
You’ve just finished doing laundry and you’re exhausted. The last thing you want to do is fold and dry your clothes. So, you leave them in the washer overnight, planning to throw them in the dryer in the morning. But is this really a good idea? How long can wet clothes stay in the washer without causing problems?
According to Lucinda Ottusch a home economist expert at the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science, wet clothes should not be left in the washing machine for more than 12 hours. Leaving wet clothes in the washer for more than 12 hours can start to create a sour smell. This is because bacteria will start to grow and multiply in humid conditions. Additionally, mold and mildew can form if you leave wet clothes in the washer for too long.
So, wet clothes can safely stay in the washer for 8- 12 hours. Beyond that, bacteria start to grow and mold can form on the wet fabric. So it’s best to try to remove your clothes from the washer as soon as possible after they’re done washing.
Can Wet Clothes Stay In The Washer Overnight?
We all know that sometimes life gets in the way and our wet clothes sometimes just don’t make it to the dryer before we go to bed. Now we are in be wondering if they can stay in the washer overnight and not carry that funky smell associated with unattended wet clothes?
Well, a lot of people have a different opinion about this. We will have to go with the queen of domesticity, Martha Stewart on this one. She says ” I would say that was perfectly alright. I mean don’t leave it for a long time … don’t leave it for a week. If you get up in the morning and throw it in the dryer, it should probably be OK”.
So, there we have it, it is okay to leave your wet laundry in the washer overnight as long as it doesn’t have a foul smell to it. But be sure to get them dried as soon as it is morning.
Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of leaving wet clothes in your washer overnight.
CONS:
– they start developing mold or mildew
– the washer to develop a musty smell
– the fabric of your clothes to break down over time
PROS:
– getting them out of the way so you can do other things
– not having to worry about them until morning.
How Long Is To LonG To Leave Clothes In The Washer?
We have established that leaving your clothes in the washer for more than 12 hours is not a good idea. But how long is too long? If you leave your clothes in the washer for days, will they be ruined?
While it’s best to remove wet clothes from the washer as soon as possible. But there is a good way to know when your clothes have stayed too long in the washer. Check the smell of your clothes, if they have a sour smell, it means that bacteria has started to grow on them and you should wash them again. Also, check for mold or mildew. If you see any growth on your clothes, it means that they’ve been in the washer for too long and you should wash them again.
So if you are unsure of the state of your wet clothes, give it the good old sniff test to know if you should wash them again or if they can go in the dryer.
It is best to remove your clothes from the washer as soon as possible. Martha Stewart says that while your clothes will come out clean, they won’t have that just-washed smell. So, if you’re looking for that fresh laundry smell, you’ll need to take them out of the washer as soon as possible.