Laundry Myths Busted: 9 ‘Rules’ You Can Ignore in 2025

You’ve heard them all: “Always wash whites in hot water!” or “More detergent means cleaner clothes!” For decades, laundry day has been guided by “rules” passed down like family heirlooms, but a lot of them just don’t hold up in 2025.

Thanks to modern machines, smarter detergents, and actual science, many old-school laundry myths are not only outdated, they’re costing you time, energy, and even the freshness of your clothes.

We’re here to clear the air (and your lint trap) with 10 of the biggest laundry myths, totally debunked. You’ll learn what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what you should be doing instead, especially if you're into sustainability and simplicity.

Let’s bust some myths and lighten your laundry load.

Myth #1: Whites Must Be Washed in Hot Water

Fiction: If you don’t use hot water, your whites will look dingy and feel unclean.

Fact: Hot water can actually set certain stains and break down fabric faster over time. It also uses more energy without always improving cleanliness.

What to Do Instead: Use cold or warm water with an enzyme-based detergent. Enzymes work at lower temps to dissolve the oils and proteins that make whites look dull. Want to brighten them further? Add a scoop of oxygen booster, not bleach.

Bonus: Cold washing protects delicate materials and saves energy with every load.

Myth #2: More Detergent = Cleaner Clothes

Fiction: A little extra detergent can’t hurt. It means a deeper clean, right?

Fact: Overusing detergent can lead to residue buildup, poor rinsing, and musty odors (especially in towels and synthetics).

What to Do Instead: Follow the dosing instructions! Or better yet, switch to detergent sheets for pre-measured, mess-free washing. They dissolve completely and leave zero residue behind. One sheet = zero guessing and no plastic jugs or gloopy spills.

Pro Tip: When it comes to laundry detergent sheets vs. pods, sheets win. They dissolve better, create less waste, and are gentler on skin.

Myth #3: Bleach Disinfects Everything

Fiction: Bleach kills all germs and is the best way to sanitize laundry.

Fact: While bleach is powerful, it’s not a cure-all, and it can be harmful to certain fabrics, pets, and septic systems. Plus, many high-efficiency washers don’t rinse bleach out completely.

What to Do Instead: Use oxygen-based whiteners or enzyme-based detergents for effective disinfection without harsh chemicals. If you really need to disinfect, hot water combined with white vinegar can handle most germs without harming fabrics.

Pro Tip: For whites, pre-treat stains and wash with a strong cold-water detergent.

Myth #4: Cold Wash Doesn’t Clean

Fiction: Cold water just rinses. It doesn’t really clean anything.

Fact: Modern detergents are formulated to work in cold water, including stain-lifting enzymes that activate below 40°F.

What to Do Instead: Switch to a high-efficiency, cold-water-compatible detergent (like HeySunday’s eco-friendly sheets). You’ll save energy and protect fabrics, all while getting a deep clean.

Bonus: Cold water protects fabric dyes and reduces energy usage.

Myth #5: Fabric Softener Is Always Good

Fiction: It’s not clean unless it smells soft and floral.

Fact: Fabric softeners leave behind a coating that builds up over time, reducing absorbency (bad for towels) and trapping bacteria.

What to Do Instead: For softness without buildup, use baking soda in the wash or a splash of vinegar during the rinse cycle.

Pro Tip: Use ½ cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle to soften fabric and eliminate smells naturally. Your towels will thank you.

Myth #6: Front Loaders Always Smell Worse

Fiction: Front-load washers get moldy faster and are harder to keep clean.

Fact: It’s not the washer’s design. It’s the habits. Leaving the door closed traps moisture and promotes mildew.

What to Do Instead: Always leave the door and detergent tray cracked after a load. Clean the rubber gasket weekly. Monthly vinegar cycles can also help keep things fresh.

Bonus: Detergent sheets prevent messy residue being left behind in your washer that can become smelly over time.

Myth #7: You Must Separate Clothes by Color

Fiction: Reds must be washed alone, or everything turns pink.

‍Fact: With today’s color-safe detergents and modern fabric dyes, most colors don’t bleed, especially after the first few washes.

What to Do Instead: Use a cold wash with color-catching sheets for mixed loads. Just avoid combining new jeans with white tees unless you like surprises.

Pro Tip: For everyday loads, sort by fabric weight (towels with towels, tees with tees). Use color-catcher sheets for mixed loads. Wash new darks separately the first 2–3 times.

Myth #8: You Don’t Need to Clean Your Washer Often

Fiction: It’s a washer. It cleans itself every time you do laundry.

Fact: Detergent buildup, trapped hair, and hard water minerals all lead to gunk and odor over time, especially in high-efficiency machines.

‍What to Do Instead: Run a monthly cleaning cycle and always wipe down seals and detergent trays. Don’t forget to clean the lint trap if you have a combo unit!

‍Pro Tip: Run a hot cycle with two cups of white vinegar or a washer cleaning tablet once a month.

Myth #9: Vinegar Fixes Everything

Fiction: Vinegar is a miracle cleaner that can soften, disinfect, and deodorize anything.

Fact: While vinegar is great for odor control and softening, it’s not a disinfectant, and it can actually damage rubber seals and hoses over time if overused.

What to Do Instead: Use vinegar strategically, like in the rinse cycle for deodorizing or to clean your washer once a month. But don’t rely on it for full-scale sanitizing, and never mix it with bleach (dangerous gases = no thanks).

Pro Tip: For tough jobs like sanitizing or whitening, opt for oxygen bleach or a cold-cycle enzyme detergent.

Bonus Myth: “Eco-Friendly Means Less Effective”

Fiction: Green detergents are weaker, don’t clean as well, or only work if you wash tiny loads in a perfect washer.

Fact: Not true. Many eco-friendly products, especially concentrated detergent sheets, are formulated with powerful enzymes and plant-based surfactants that rival traditional brands.

What to Do Instead: Give eco-friendly laundry routines a real shot. HeySunday’s laundry sheets work in cold water, leaving no residue.

Bonus: They come in lightweight, zero-waste packaging. They’re tough on grime, not the planet.

How to Build a Smarter Laundry Routine

Busting these laundry myths isn’t just about facts. It’s about building a smarter, more sustainable routine that actually works in real life.

Here’s what a myth-free laundry day looks like:

• Wash most loads in cold water with a detergent formulated for low temps
• Use fragrance-free, residue-free detergent sheets to reduce skin irritation and plastic waste
• Avoid overloading the machine. More room means more movement (and a better clean)
• Clean your washer monthly, and don’t forget the gasket or detergent drawer
• Air dry when possible to reduce energy use and fabric wear

A few bonus laundry hacks:

• Use mesh laundry bags for delicates or socks (no more singles mysteriously vanishing)
• Dry on a rack with a fan nearby to cut drying time in half—no dryer needed
• Freeze smelly gym clothes for 30 minutes before washing (bacteria hate cold)

And if you’re still using liquid detergent or pods, HeySunday’s detergent sheets are a simple switch that makes a big difference. No plastic. No mess. No mystery ingredients.

Plus, they travel well (hello, gym bag or road trip) and are safe for pets and sensitive skin. They even dissolve in cold water, so you can finally say goodbye to detergent sludge.

Final Word: Bust the Laundry Myths, Upgrade the Routine

Laundry doesn’t have to be full of rules, rituals, or relics from your grandma’s cleaning playbook. Most of the so-called “rules” are just outdated laundry myths. And in 2025, you’ve got better options.

Whether it’s ditching hot water, skipping the fabric softener, or tossing the dryer sheets once and for all, every myth you bust is a win for your clothes, your skin, and the planet.