The expert has spoken! Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart weighs in on furious 'wet laundry' debate, and stuns Today hosts by insisting that leaving soggy clothes in a machine overnight is FINE 

  • The online debate began when a Mumsnet user named MelonYelon asked if it would be reasonable for her to go to bed before her wash was done  
  • The question incited some very adamant opinions from women on the forum
  • Martha, 75, called in to the Today show in Thursday morning to weigh in on DailyMail.com's story about the debate, saying she thinks it is 'perfectly alright'
  • The domestic goddess also noted that you will be able to smell mold or bacteria 

One mother has sparked a furious online debate about whether or not it is okay to leave wet clothes in a washing machine overnight — and even Martha Stewart has weighed in.

The 75-year-old domestic goddess called in to the Today show on Thursday morning to share her thoughts on the topic after DailyMail.com featured a story about a Mumsnet user named MelonYelon, who asked if it would be unreasonable for her to go to bed and throw her wet clothes in the dryer the next morning. 

Savannah Guthrie brought up the issue on the show's Trending Topics segment, and while she and Al Roker thought it was fine, Willie Geist said 'it's a hard no' for him.

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Domestic goddess: Martha Stewart called in to the Today show to weigh in on a fierce online debate about whether or not it is okay to leave wet laundry in the washer overnight

Domestic goddess: Martha Stewart called in to the Today show to weigh in on a fierce online debate about whether or not it is okay to leave wet laundry in the washer overnight

Undecided: Savannah Guthrie brought up the top on Thursday's Trending Topics segment after DailyMail.com featured a story about the online debate

Undecided: Savannah Guthrie brought up the top on Thursday's Trending Topics segment after DailyMail.com featured a story about the online debate

'See, I have done it,' Savannah confessed, noting that the laundry can get moldy and start to smell. 

'I don't think that's bad,' Al added. 'Well, you don't want to leave them in there for a week, but overnight I don't think is bad.'

Willie argued that if you pick up a wet towel after it has been sitting in the washing machine overnight, 'it doesn't smell good,' prompting Savannah to end the debated once and for all. 

'You know, at this point, I think I would like to call my lifeline,' she told the group. 'Martha Stewart is on the phone.'

In agreement: Savannah confessed that she has left the laundry in the washer overnight before, and Al Roker said he didn't have any problem with it either
In agreement: Savannah confessed that she has left the laundry in the washer overnight before, and Al Roker said he didn't have any problem with it either

In agreement: Savannah confessed that she has left the laundry in the washer overnight before, and Al Roker said he didn't have any problem with it either 

On his own: Willie Geist said 'it's a hard no' for him, adding that a wet towel will smell if it is left in the washer too long 

On his own: Willie Geist said 'it's a hard no' for him, adding that a wet towel will smell if it is left in the washer too long 

And while Willie was completely against leaving wet clothes in the washer, Martha doesn't have any problem with it.

'I would say that was perfectly alright,' she said. 'I mean don't leave it for a long time. [Like] Al said, don't leave it for a week. If you get up in the morning and throw them in the dryer, it should probably be okay.

'One way you can kind of tell is if it smells alright,' she continued. 'I mean that's mold and that's bacteria that starts to grow on damp clothing in closed environments.

'That's very pungent and you can really smell any bad stuff.'

She has all the answers! Martha, who is pictured on the Today show in 2013, said she thinks it is fine to leave the laundry overnight as long as you make sure it doesn't smell the next day 

She has all the answers! Martha, who is pictured on the Today show in 2013, said she thinks it is fine to leave the laundry overnight as long as you make sure it doesn't smell the next day 

All ears: Martha is pictured doing a segment about laundry with Savannah and Hoda Kotb 

All ears: Martha is pictured doing a segment about laundry with Savannah and Hoda Kotb 

Martha added that she always uses unscented soap that is organic as possible when she is doing her laundry, but she doesn't think leaving it overnight is something you need to fret over.   

'If your forget, get up and put it in the dryer. Don't make a habit of it,' she said. 

And at least one person was relieved by Martha's words.  

'I feel so much better because Martha says it's okay,' Savannah admitted.

The debate started when Mumsnet user MelonYelon realized her wash wouldn't be done for another half an hour, and she didn't think she would be able to stay awake that long. 

Start of it all: The online debate began when a Mumsnet user named MelonYelon asked if it would be reasonable for her to go to bed before her wash was done 

Start of it all: The online debate began when a Mumsnet user named MelonYelon asked if it would be reasonable for her to go to bed before her wash was done 

Go for it! The vast majority agreed that MelonYelon should simply head to bed and that her washing would be 'fine'

Go for it! The vast majority agreed that MelonYelon should simply head to bed and that her washing would be 'fine'

Not so fast... Others were quick to insist that leaving wet washing overnight was not an option, suggesting it would 'stink'

Not so fast... Others were quick to insist that leaving wet washing overnight was not an option, suggesting it would 'stink'

'It's got 25 minutes to go and I'm EXHAUSTED and want to go to bed and will likely be up in two hours with the baby anyway...' she wrote. 'Tell me it's fine.'

Her simple question elicited a surprisingly divided response from her fellow mothers.

Plenty of women on the forum insisted they leave wet clothes overnight regularly, while others were horrified at the prospect insisting it would get moldy and smell.

Some were more philosophical, with Justilou insisting one should always put 'life before laundry'. 

Meanwhile, FloggingMolly was very straightforward when she insisted that - aside from the smell - the clothing would be 'creased to f***'. 

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