Putting an Empty Plastic Bottle in the Washing Machine — Does This Trick Really Work?
An unusual laundry hack circulating online involves placing a clean, empty plastic bottle inside the washing machine along with your clothes. The idea is that the bottle moves around with the laundry and may help prevent some garments from becoming tightly tangled.
Why People Try This Trick
During a wash cycle, large items such as sheets, towels, and some clothing can become wrapped around one another. Supporters of the bottle method believe the extra object moving through the load can help separate fabrics and reduce bunching.
Some people also claim that this can help water and detergent move between garments more easily. However, these benefits are based largely on household experiences rather than strong scientific evidence.
Does It Actually Make Clothes Cleaner?
There is limited evidence that an ordinary plastic bottle consistently improves cleaning performance. Washing machines are already designed to create movement through the combination of the drum, water, detergent, and laundry.
So while the bottle might change how a particular load moves, it should not be considered a guaranteed way to make clothes cleaner or remove more stains.
What About Wrinkles and Tangling?
This is probably the most reasonable claim behind the trend. If a load becomes less tightly bundled, some garments may come out less tangled. But the result can vary depending on the washing machine, the amount of laundry, and the type of fabric being washed.
For heavily tangled loads, avoiding overloading the machine and washing bulky items appropriately is generally more predictable than relying on a bottle.
If You See This Hack Online
Treat it as an optional household experiment rather than a proven laundry technique. Always follow your washing machine manufacturer’s instructions, particularly if the manual advises against putting loose objects in the drum.
Also remember that a damaged bottle could leave pieces of plastic behind, so an ordinary worn, cracked, or sharp-edged bottle should not be used.
Better Ways to Reduce Tangling
You can often reduce tangled laundry by:
- Avoiding an overloaded drum
- Separating very bulky items from smaller garments
- Following the recommended load size
- Closing zippers and fasteners before washing
- Using the appropriate cycle for the fabric
- Checking the machine’s instructions for proper loading
Bottom Line
The empty-bottle trick is certainly unusual and may help some loads move differently, but claims that it dramatically improves cleaning, removes lint, or saves energy are not well established. The simplest proven approach is still to load the washer correctly, use the right amount of detergent, and choose the appropriate cycle for your clothes.
