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How Long You Should Leave Wet Clothes in the Washer, According to Experts

Nyul Debóra2 min read
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How Long You Should Leave Wet Clothes in the Washer, According to Experts — Household
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Don’t Leave Clothes in the Washer Longer Than This

It’s totally fine if you can’t hang your laundry immediately after the washer stops. But if it’s going to be a while, try to plan so you can get to it soon. Hyacinth Tucker, founder of The Laundry Basket LLC, told The Spruce that wet clothes shouldn’t stay in the washer for more than 30-60 minutes—especially if your home tends to be warm and humid.

Why Leaving Clothes in the Washer Is Tough on Them

If wet clothes sit in the washer too long, Tucker warns their fibers weaken and wear out faster. This is especially true for natural fabrics like cotton or wool.

And if they stay for 8–12 hours—say, if you leave an evening wash to hang in the morning—they can even start to develop mold.

Mold on clothes brings unpleasant odors that are tough to remove later. The longer clothes stay wet, the harder it is to restore their fresh scent. Even if there’s no bad smell, they’re likely to be wrinkled. Deep wrinkles can be tricky to smooth out later, especially on delicate fabrics, Tucker says.

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It Can Also Harm Your Washer

James Joun, co-founder of Rinse, a laundry and dry-cleaning service, shared with The Spruce that leaving wet clothes inside for too long—or not leaving the washer door open when it’s not in use—increases the chance of mold growth. This can shorten your washer’s lifespan.

If Clothes Have Stayed in the Washer Too Long

Even with the best intentions, sometimes you just can’t hang laundry right away. If you notice unpleasant odors, Tucker recommends rewashing clothes in hot water with a cup of white vinegar. Vinegar fights odors and helps remove bacteria from fabrics.

For a fresh scent, add a few drops of essential oil designed for laundry. If your clothes are wrinkled, Tucker suggests rewashing them with just fabric softener. Once the washer cycle ends, hang them up immediately, use a low heat setting in the dryer, or try a handheld steamer to smooth wrinkles.

The best way to care for your clothes and washer is to hang laundry within about an hour of the cycle finishing. If that’s not possible, always check your clothes carefully and take extra steps to keep them clean, fresh, and wrinkle-free!

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