Thin and light cotton is a summer staple as it is durable, versatile, and if taken care of correctly, it is long-lasting.

However, cotton can also pose a challenge when washing the fabric as high temperatures can cause cotton fibres to shrink.

That’s why the laundry experts at the eco-friendly cleaning brand Ecover have outlined the common mistake many of us make when washing this popular fabric.

They said: “It’s best to wash cotton on either a lukewarm or a cold wash; too hot, and you risk shrinkage and weakening of its fibres.

“Plus, a cold wash doesn’t just protect from shrinkage – it’s a triple whammy, as it uses less energy and so it’s better for the environment, and your wallet, too.

“If using high-quality detergent, such as Ecover’s Concentrated Bio Laundry Liquid, a 20 degree wash will do the trick on most stains.

“In fact, it actually works better at tackling sweat than a hot wash – so trust us, 20 is plenty!”

And if you want to get an extra boost, the cleaning pros recommended using Ecover’s Fabric Softener to give your cotton clothes that extra care and freshness they need.

Doing laundry is a chore dreaded by many, and it can be easy to get into bad habits.

An expert previously explained how overloading the washing machine can be another huge mistake.

Alex Lucas, business unit head, Bosch, told Express.co.uk: “It may be tempting to pack your washing machine drum with as many laundry items as possible but overloading your machine will reduce its washing performance and could even cause damage to your appliance.

“Overloading the washing machine causes the laundry to move around in one large mass.

“This prevents clothing items from moving freely within the drum and preventing detergent from effectively circulating to remove dirt and stains.”

It can also increase pressure within the drum, especially when spinning at high speeds, which can cause damage to the appliance.