We don’t often think of appliances when we talk about fashion, but they are integral to the upkeep and care of our wardrobes.

How you wash your clothes is dependent on the fabrics and care instructions recommended by the manufacturer (located on the tags found inside the garment). While I will always recommend following the instructions found on these tags, sometimes you can run into unforeseen challenges that could result in damaged clothes. The culprit is usually unknown problems with your appliances or unknowingly adding harmful items to your wash loads. In order to save your clothes (and your wallets), I’ve outlined some of the most common causes of ruined clothes due to washing and how to solve for the problem.

Excess Detergent Left in Clothes

Unless you use organic products, detergents are filled with chemicals used to wash your clothes. These chemicals are relatively safe (we’ll save the organic vs. non-organic “safety” debate for another day) to use because the washing machine agitator removes the detergent from the clothes.

However, if the washing machine agitator is not working properly or you are hand-washing garments, detergent may stay in the fibers of your clothes. This can lead to skin irritation and the eventual breakdown of the fabric due to excessive chemical exposure. Thus, it is really important to make sure your agitator is working properly.

According to this appliance repair infographic by PartSelect appliances, defunct agitators are one of the most common problems found in older washing machines. Since this is relatively inexpensive ($15) and easy to fix, I’d recommend checking your agitator annually to make sure everything is in good working order.

Dyed Clothes

My mother always taught me to separate my colors to ensure my clothes don’t get dyed. However, I rarely separate colors and have yet to dye a single garment. The reason for this is because I follow some basic principles when washing my clothes in one big load.

First, I always wash in cold water. Warm water can increase the likelihood of dye running in clothes, so always make sure to turn the water temperature to cold.

Second, I always separate items on the first wash. Just to be safe, when I wash a garment for the first time I make sure to wash it with like colors. Sometimes clothing designers don’t pre-wash clothes, which can leave them susceptible to running because the dye hasn’t been set.

This is especially true for denim. I always wash denim separately the first time around, inside out and zippered/buttoned. For my dark denim, I wash them with ¼ cup white vinegar to set the dye and reduce the likelihood of future color transfer.

Stains That Weren’t There When You Put Your Clothes in the Wash

One of the biggest culprits of random stains that appear after you take the clothes out of the wash is fabric softener. These are often oil based, so if you use too much or don’t put them in at the precise time during the cycle, it can leave stains on your clothes. To prevent this, make sure to follow the directions on your fabric softener bottle exactly, or—what I believe is the better solution—avoid using fabric softener altogether.

Another way stains can appear on your clothes is from rust that accumulates in your washing machine. To avoid this, make sure to periodically check your washer and use appropriate rust-remover enamels when necessary.

Rips and Tears

Rips and tears are oftentimes causes by sharp objects that make it into the wash load. Always remember to check pockets for loose objects, because if coins, paperclips, or other sharp objects get in there, it may cause tears in delicate fabrics.

However, loose objects aren’t always the cause for tears. Zippers and clasps can cause just as much damage as loose items, so always avoid washing delicates with items that have zippers, clasps, or hooks. Also, make sure to always fasten zippers, buttons, and clasps while washing, and if you are in doubt, separate the items. You can also put items like bras in hosiery bags with the backs clasped to separate them from other items in the wash.

Knowing your clothes and the differences between fabrics are essential to extending the lifetime of your clothes. For more information on fabrics, see this fashion glossary with a complete list of fabrics, styles, and cuts.

Adria Saracino is the owner of Seattle fashion blog The Emerald Closet. You can find her tweeting about fashion @Emerald_Closet. Looking for more from Adria? Check out her personal website at www.adriasaracino.com.