Leaving damp clothes in the washing machine for a few hours or overnight isn’t usually a problem, but according to home expert Jill Bauer, your nose is the best judge. She suggests giving the clothes a sniff— if they don’t smell funky, they’re likely safe for the dryer.

However, that moist washer is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, causing that musty odor. Bauer warns that leaving wet clothes too long could lead to not just smells but stains and fabric damage. Lucinda Ottusch from the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science reassures that up to 12 hours is typically safe, as, within this time, odors and bacterial growth are less likely.

Thicker materials like sweatshirts, coats, and towels are super absorbent, making them more prone to trapping moisture. Special attention also needs to be given to cotton, linen, rayon and silk as these fabrics most often develop molds.

It’s best to give them a rewash with detergent before drying them if they’ve been in the washer for more than 12 hours. On the flip side, lighter fabrics such as satin, lace, or chiffon tend to be thinner and more breathable, making them less likely to harbor unwanted odor even after a long stint in the washer.

If your damp laundry develops an unpleasant smell, fret not. Bauer recommends a natural solution: pouring 1 cup of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and then running a hot cycle. For an alternative approach, sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the damp clothes before a new wash cycle.

To prevent laundry from getting forgotten in the washer, Jill Bauer swears by using her cell phone timer for reminders and ensuring the washer signals are set loud enough. Jordan Page from Millennial Moms suggests a clever trick: keeping a dry-erase marker handy near the washer. Write down the time and day the load started on the machine’s side for a quick reminder of how long it’s been.

The internet loves its animals and their content. Be it funny, creative, or just plain sweet, something or the other featuring adorable animals keeps coming up from time to time and is appreciated by everyone. Most recently, a cat and a rabbit have been involved in a strange yet endearing story at the Roberson Creek Farm in Tobaccoville, North Carolina.

The bunny, Amy, and the cat, Chrissy, both gave birth within a gap of a few days and came together to take care of both young ones. When Destiny Hampton, the 47-year-old rescuer and owner of the farm, was setting up a hutch for Amy’s brood, she discovered the cat cuddled up with her own kittens. Considering that she didn’t know that Chrissy was pregnant, it naturally shocked Hampton. In an attempt to avoid unnecessary conflict, she tried keeping the two with their newborns separate but it turned out to have an adverse effect. Due to the stress of the change and separation, both animals stopped feeding their children.

Through time, it became clear that not only were the two animals mingling well, but they were also helping each other take care of their offspring. The two animals’ camaraderie went to such a level that while Amy fed her babies only once a day, Chrissy also fed them to complete their needs. “They all want to be together, the babies and the mothers. It’s so weird because cats move their babies a lot (but) Chrissy… doesn’t. I think maybe she knew that the rabbit mom wasn’t making enough milk and wanted to help her,” Hampton voiced on her social media. Her surprise mainly stemmed from the fact that Chrissy isn’t the nicest cat. Naturally, the animals’ has taken up the internet by storm.