Most of us assume we know what we're doing when it comes to laundry. That is until we end up completely ruining a piece of clothing we were only hoping to clean. Even worse is wrecking someone else’s favourite top (I think we all have a top stashed away at the back of the cupboard, hoping the other person doesn’t notice its absence).Luckily Ann Russell, known as ‘That English Cleaner Lady’ to her 3 million TikTok followers, is a laundry professional. She's worked as a cleaner, and dispenses invaluable housekeeping advice on her channel.Below, she shares her laundry tips, including what to wash separately and the pieces you should never wash at all. Ann Russel, a viral TikTok cleaning expert, shares her washing machine tips.Suit jacketsWhile polyester, machine washable suits can be laundered as usual, it's important to watch out for traditional or vintage suit jackets. ‘The interfacing and padding will come awry if washed,' says Russell. Ruffles and sequins‘If an expensive dress has sequins, ruffles or hand-painted panels, give it to the cleaners,' advises Russell. Washing expensive clothing that has ruffles as part of its shape can risk distortion, especially in hot water. Ruffles are also more likely to get stuck to the drum inside a washing machine, causing fraying and other damage to the clothing.Ann’s advice? Skip the hassle and give it to the dry cleaners. Velvet and leather should never go in the wash, instead spot clean using a damp cloth.Velvet and leather‘Velvet and leather can never be washed,' says Russell.Leather is a skin so washing it in water will remove its natural oils, making it stiff and cracked. What’s worse is if leather takes too long to dry, it can start to grow mould. Instead, spot clean any marks using a damp cloth and use a leather conditioner afterwards to restore lost oils.As for velvet, the washing machine is far too rough for its delicate fibres and can risk shrinking and damaging the item. Similarly, to clean, use a damp cloth and a mild soap. For anything severe, go to a dry cleaner.Wash knitwear separately'Get into the habit of washing knitwear separately,' advises Russell. We’ve all had a prized jumper shrunken by the wash, so small it could fit a doll. While it's easy to mix precious knitwear in with everyday basics, Ann recommends trying your best to wash your knitwear (namely those made of acrylic) using the wool setting on your washing machine. Animal hair, however, will shrink – you'll need to wash in cold water.Don’t mix the dirtied with the disgustingWashing really dirty items with clothes that are just lightly worn can transfer dirt and bacteria onto the clean(er) clothes. 'Never wash stuff that is seriously dirty with things that just need a freshen up,' says Russell. What’s more, super dirty items should go on a long cycle, something that would cause unnecessary damage to clothes that just need a 30 minute quick wash. It may seem obvious but make sure to double check the care label.Don’t wash delicates with zips and buttonsFrom snags to pulls, washing your delicates alongside jeans with their buttons and zips is a definite no-no. ‘Fabrics with things such as jeans as the buttons, rivets, and zips risk damaging the lighter fabric,' reveals Russell. When washing those items generally, another helpful tip is to make sure zips are closed all the way up. This prevents the teeth from catching on other, particularly more delicate, garments.Always read the care labelBefore you roll your eyes. Yes, I know it’s obvious but it’s easy to assume that washing similar items will always be the same. But that’s not always the case. Make sure to read the clothing care label before you even think about putting it in the wash, that way you can hope to avoid disappointment at the end of the cycle. ‘Knowing what the manufacturer recommends and what fabrics are present will stop you making easy mistakes,' concludes Russell.