{"id":101544,"date":"2023-10-05T14:38:47","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T13:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reliant.co.uk\/blog\/?p=101544"},"modified":"2026-05-08T10:18:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T09:18:11","slug":"what-happens-if-you-leave-clothes-in-the-washing-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reliant.co.uk\/blog\/what-happens-if-you-leave-clothes-in-the-washing-machine\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens If You Leave Clothes In The Washing Machine?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

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Useful Links<\/h2>\n

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Shop Washing Machines<\/a> Shop HYE Washing Machines<\/a> Shop All Laundry<\/a> <\/div>\n

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[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#126366″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” ul_font_size=”20px” ul_line_height=”1.7em” quote_font=”|300|||||||” quote_font_size=”22px” quote_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” header_5_line_height=”1.2em” header_6_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Ever wondered what happens if you leave clothes<\/a> in the washing machine<\/a> too long?<\/p>\n

Have you been told that leaving your clothes in the washing machine is bad? Want to know whether there\u2019s any truth to the rumour?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to forget, but leaving clothes sitting can cause more problems than you might expect. From musty odors to bacteria growth and stubborn creases, a simple delay can quickly turn fresh laundry into something that needs re-washing.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re going to take you through exactly what happens if you leave clothes in the washing machine too long after a cycle. We will also show you how long is too long when it comes to leaving your laundry lying around post-spin.<\/p>\n

What Would Happen If You Left Your Clothes In The Washing Machine?<\/h2>\n

The most common consequence of leaving clothes in your washing machine<\/a> is a strange smell. Bacteria and mould both thrive in moist and warm environments. These are both descriptors that could easily apply to a washing machine drum<\/a> in the time after finishing a cycle.<\/p>\n

If you were to leave your laundry in the washing machine for a number of hours after washing, it would very easily become vulnerable!<\/p>\n

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You should make a point of removing your laundry from the washing machine as soon as the cycle ends. Leaving it to lie there leaves it extremely vulnerable to bacteria and mould!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If you pull your laundry out and it has a very pungent and sharp odour, at odds with the smell of your detergent, then it\u2019s likely that bacteria and mould may already have begun festering. In such a case, we would recommend washing the laundry again to kill off bacteria and mould.<\/p>\n

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What’s The Longest You Should Leave Clothes In A Washing Machine?<\/h2>\n

You should always try your best to empty out the washing machine<\/a> drum as soon as a cycle has finished and hang the laundry to dry. But sometimes you simply forget to empty it, and that\u2019s okay!<\/p>\n

Notice a forgotten laundry load in your washing machine? It\u2019s important to consider how many hours have passed since you set the washing machine going, and when you noticed the forgotten laundry.<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s only been around 4 or 5 hours, you should be totally fine. Give the laundry a quick smell. Does it smell as you expect? then it\u2019s safe to remove it!<\/p>\n

If your laundry has been waiting in the drum for 8 to 12 hours, then we would strongly recommend re-washing. In this space of time, bacteria and mould may have easily begun spreading. You should try to stay one step ahead of it.<\/p>\n

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Don\u2019t worry, if your laundry was only left for just a few hours, it will be totally fine. If left for 8 to 12 hours in your washing machine, it will need to be washed all over again!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

However, how long you can leave your laundry in the washing machine after a cycle can also be affected by what materials you are using for a given cycle. If you\u2019re using stronger cleaning materials such as bleach, to clean laundry, then it will last much longer if left in the drum.<\/p>\n

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What Should You Do If You Leave Clothes In The Washing Machine Too Long?<\/h2>\n

If you have left laundry in your washing machine<\/a> for too long, it\u2019s always best to wash it again. The warm and moist environment in the washing machine drum will be very attractive to bacteria and mould, so you\u2019ll want to minimise the risk of them being pulled out with your laundry.<\/p>\n

If you have only left your laundry in the machine for a small number of hours, it may be totally fine to remove it and leave it to hang dry. Give it a quick smell. Met by the pleasant smell of detergent? Then you\u2019re good to go!<\/p>\n

How Do You Avoid Forgetting About Your Washing?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re prone to forgetting your laundry after setting a cycle off, there are luckily a number of things you can do!<\/p>\n

Perhaps the best option is to make use of the washing machine\u2019s built-in timer. Most modern washing machines will sound a small alarm to warn you when the cycle is finished.<\/p>\n

If your washing machine does not have such a timer, it may be because it is significantly old. We\u2019d strongly recommend upgrading to a newer model if this is the case! If you\u2019re happy with your washing machine, then why not set a timer on your smartphone? This will ensure you don\u2019t end up forgetting at all!<\/p>\n

Having a regular laundry schedule can also be a big help. Allocate a single day in the week to be your dedicated laundry day. From there, establish a specific time in which you will fill the machine and the specific cycle you will set off.<\/p>\n

This way, you can always be sure exactly when the machine will need to be emptied. Doing the laundry will quickly become as natural as breathing!<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”FAQs” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” ul_font_size=”20px” ul_line_height=”1.7em” quote_font_size=”20px” quote_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” header_5_line_height=”1.2em” header_6_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n

What Happens If You Leave Clothes In The Washing Machine?<\/h4>\n

If you were to leave your clothes in the washing machine<\/a> for too long, around 8 to 12 hours, they would be highly susceptible to bacteria and mould.<\/p>\n

Found that you\u2019ve left your clothes lying in the machine for that long? You\u2019ll need to give them another wash to prevent the spread of bacteria and mould around the home!<\/p>\n

Is It OK To Leave Clothes In the Washer Overnight?<\/h4>\n

Generally, you should avoid leaving your clothes in the washing machine overnight, and try to remove them from the machine as soon as the cycle is complete.<\/p>\n

However, if your washing is only left in the machine overnight for a small few hours, less than 8 total, then it may be fine. Just be sure to give your laundry a quick smell to ensure it\u2019s fresh.<\/p>\n

How Long Can You Leave Clothes In The Washer Before They Smell?<\/h4>\n

Generally, you should avoid leaving your clothes in the washing machine for more than 8 to 12 hours. Past this length of time, your clothes will become incredibly susceptible to bacteria and mould growth.<\/p>\n

This is what will cause them to smell slightly pungent and unpleasant. If your clothes come out smelling odd, you should wash them a second time.<\/p>\n

Is It Okay To Leave Clothes In The Washer For A Couple Hours?<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019ve accidentally left your clothes in the washing machine for a few hours, the situation may not be totally beyond hope. Have they only been in there for a small number of hours? Then they should be totally fine. If your clothes have been left lying there for more than 8 hours, we\u2019d recommend washing them again!<\/p>\n

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You’ll want to avoid leaving your clothes in the washing machine at the end of a cycle. But what would happen if you did?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":101645,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-101544","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","category-washers-dryers"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Happens If You Leave Clothes In The Washing Machine?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What happens if you leave clothes in the washing machine too long? 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