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I have a busy life, and I’m all for saving time, but sometimes cutting corners just isn’t worth it. And, no surprises, I’ve found out the hard way with my washing machine.I run a load almost every day, and to keep things simple I always use the same mixed load cycle that runs at 40°C. But, apparently, according to laundry pros, I’ve been making a big mistake, and it literally stinks.Running the same program for every wash is not advised, and as I’ve discovered, my 40°C wash can end up creating bad odors.But allow me some credit: I do divide up my laundry into whites, lights and darks, which avoids any mishaps with pretending that the white t-shirt that went into the wash was actually always gray.So to overcome my frequent mishap, I asked the laundry pros why using the same program is a big mistake and how I should correct my bad laundry habits.1. Think about the temperature
(Image credit: Shutterstock)“A 40°C wash will not get hot enough for a sufficient period of time to kill the bacteria and mold spores that accumulate in a washer over time,” explains Renata Cruz, cleaning expert and professional organizer at Coastal Maid San Diego. “It will leave behind small amounts of detergent residue, fabric fibers and moisture.”And Cruz adds, “Normally, the heat from an occasional long wash will burn away the accumulation left behind by previous washes. However, when each and every wash is done at the same low temperature and duration, the accumulation remains inside the drum, near the rubber gasket, and in the detergent tray.”Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.It is precisely this warm, damp, residue-rich environment that promotes bacterial and mold growth, which is why Curz explains I can smell a musty odor developing over time.Aside from the musty odor, I also noticed that the water pumped from my machine smells like rotten eggs.What’s more, if you constantly use a cold or warm water cycle without upping the heat, Ron Podwika, senior product manager for laundry at Bosch, says it increases the need to run a cleaning cycle on your machine, which most consumers do not do regularly. “If a hot water cycle is used, it can help break down any gunk and grime that may be hanging out in your machine, like detergent buildup and hard water deposits.”Top tipIf you need a reminder to run a cleaning cycle, you may want to consider a washing machine that triggers an alert on a digital display panel once a certain number of cycles have been completed. Alternatively, you could invest in a smart model that can push a notification to a connected phone app, reminding you to run a cleaning cycle.2. Don't run the quick cycle on repeat
