An empty plastic bottle placed in the washing machine has recently gained popularity online as an unconventional laundry hack.

Supporters claim that tossing a tightly sealed bottle into the drum creates extra movement that helps separate fabrics during a wash cycle.

This extra movement is said to reduce clothes from twisting together, which can help minimize deep wrinkles in shirts and sheets.

Improved fabric separation may also allow water and detergent to circulate more evenly through bulky loads like blankets and comforters.

Additionally, using an empty plastic bottle serves as a simple household way to reuse plastic items before discarding them.

However, there is no scientific research backing these claims, with reported benefits relying almost entirely on personal online anecdotes.

The effectiveness of this trick varies widely based on machine size, laundry load, fabric type, and the selected wash cycle.

Using plastic bottles carries potential risks, as loose or damaged items could cause excessive banging or potentially damage the machine drum.

Safety precautions require using only clean, undamaged, and tightly sealed bottles while ensuring the washing machine is never overloaded.

Ultimately, traditional methods like sorting clothes, avoiding overload, and using dryer balls remain more reliable approaches for laundry care.