15 Things You Should Never Do to Your Underwear

The introduction and the first two points are accurate in general, though they benefit from a bit of nuance.

1. Avoid mixing towels and clothes — Mostly true

This is good advice, especially for preserving fabric quality.

• Towels shed lint, particularly when new, and that lint can cling to clothing.

• Heavy towels and lightweight garments dry at different rates, making it harder to achieve optimal drying.

• Washing towels separately can also reduce abrasion on delicate fabrics.

Best practice: Wash towels together with similar heavy items and separate them from delicate or lint-attracting fabrics, such as athletic wear, fleece, and dark clothing.

2. Never use too much fabric softener — True

Using more fabric softener than recommended can cause several problems:

• It leaves a waxy residue on fabrics.

• Towels can become less absorbent over time.

• Athletic and moisture-wicking fabrics may lose some of their performance.

• Residue can accumulate in the washing machine, potentially contributing to odors or dispenser clogs.

Best practice: Follow the manufacturer's recommended amount. If you notice residue or reduced absorbency, consider using less fabric softener or skipping it altogether for towels and performance clothing.

Overall

These are sensible laundry tips, but the wording "never" is a bit absolute. Occasional mixing of towels with sturdy clothing or using a little extra fabric softener is unlikely to cause major problems. The key is making these practices habitual rather than occasional.