Should I fasten buttons and zippers before washing clothes?

Start with the garment’s care label; general laundry tips are not a rule for every fabric or construction. For a zipper, fastening it is a sensible default: Whirlpool recommends zipping up to help reduce snagging, tearing, or twisting during washing. [S1] [S2]

Buttons need more judgment. Fastening may suit a sturdy garment, but leaving buttons undone may help avoid pulling or stretching buttonholes on delicate or lightweight fabric. [S1] If the label gives a specific instruction, use that rather than applying a blanket rule. Think of the decision as “zip by default; buttons according to construction and care guidance,” not “fasten everything.”

Look at the fabric and the button area, then apply the label’s instructions. As a general guide, a sturdy shirt or jacket with firm buttonholes is a candidate for fastening. A lightweight or delicate garment with buttonholes that might pull is a candidate for leaving the buttons undone. Whirlpool describes both options and makes the choice dependent on the item rather than prescribing one answer for all buttons. [S1]

For example, assume you have a sturdy cotton shirt and its care label allows machine washing. You could fasten its buttons, then zip any attached zipper. If instead you have a lightweight blouse whose buttonholes seem delicate, you could leave its buttons open while following the label’s washing directions. Those are illustrative choices, not guarantees against damage.

For a zipper, fastening it is the general recommendation to help reduce snagging, tearing, or twisting. [S1] If the item is delicate, don’t let that tip override its care label or the needs of its construction. For metal hooks on delicates, Whirlpool recommends clasping the hooks and placing the item in a mesh bag. [S2]

A practical sequence is: check the label; close the zipper if the garment’s instructions permit; clasp exposed hooks on delicates; then use a mesh bag for those delicates, as advised in the general preparation tip. [S2] The guidance does not establish that every garment should be washed the same way, or that a mesh bag prevents all snags or damage. If the label is unclear about the garment’s construction, avoid guessing and seek care guidance for that item.

Use this closure-by-closure check:

1. Read the garment’s care label and follow its washing directions.
2. Zip zippers when appropriate to help reduce snagging, tearing, or twisting. [S1]
3. For buttons, consider fastening sturdy items; consider leaving buttons undone on delicate or lightweight fabric if buttonholes could pull or stretch. [S1]
4. On delicates, clasp metal hooks and place the item in a mesh bag as general preparation guidance. [S2]
5. If the label or construction makes the choice uncertain, pause rather than treating these general tips as a guarantee.

Copyable note: “Label says: [washing directions]. Zipper: [fasten/leave as instructed]. Buttons: [fasten/leave open and why]. Hooks: [clasp/not applicable]. Delicate item in mesh bag: [yes/no/not applicable].” This keeps each decision tied to the specific garment.