There is a thought that placing shirts etc in the wash buttoned up will help them “keep their shape” – nuh uh…
Fact is, once they’re in the machine a shirt’s shape is just as fluid as the water it’s in. And while moving around in the water they act just like a sail.
The drag of water on material is much stronger than in the wind, though, and this pulls on the buttons far harder than any day to day wear – meaning you are much more likely to need to replace buttons sooner.
If, however, shirts are unbuttoned in the wash, not only does it eliminate pull on the buttons, it increases circulation through the garment maximising the laundry liquid’s effectiveness.
That said, it is a good idea to throw in bras hooked up as they can catch on other clothing otherwise. (Bras don’t have nearly the drag and circulation problems of shirts.) And, of course, some people swear by special bags for delicates.
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