- 1). Sort laundry into piles. Make a separate pile for delicate fabrics (such as undergarments and lace), baby clothes, towels, bedding and jeans, and divide light fabrics and dark fabrics. Any bulky items, such as backpacks, seat covers and footwear, should be washed separately.
- 2). Unfasten any buttons, and zip all zippers as you sort. Turn graphic T-shirts or clothing with embellishments inside out, and check the labels for any garments that may not be machine washable.
- 3). Apply a stain remover to any spots that need to be treated, according to manufacturer instructions.
- 4). Place regular bras and panties in an undergarment bag after fastening any clips or snaps.
- 5). Measure out laundry detergent according to package directions, and pour directly into the washer tub or detergent dispenser. Add fabric softener to a separate dispenser if desired and applicable.
- 6). Add the first load of clothing to the washing machine. Do not overfill the washer. Do small loads in accordance with the machine's instructions. Close the lid.
- 7). Choose the correct water temperature. Dark and bright clothes, jeans, footwear, vinyl and bedding should be washed in cold water. Whites, excessively stained items, tablecloths and napkins, and cotton sheets should be washed in hot water. Most other fabrics can be washed with warm water.
- 8). Choose the correct cycle. Wash shirts using the permanent press cycle. Delicate fabrics, baby clothes, blankets, curtains, small rugs and sleeping bags should be set to the gentle cycle. All other fabrics can handle a general setting.
- 9). Add bleach to the water once the washer has filled, if necessary. Follow the directions on the bottle.
- 10
Wash baby clothing in the same manner as other fabrics, but use a mild detergent that won't irritate delicate skin. - 11
Hand wash delicate fabrics and other hand-wash-only items in a sink. Soak in warm water with a mild detergent for a few minutes, and then pat dry with a towel. Hang or lay flat to dry. - 12
Transfer laundry to a dryer, shaking each piece slightly as you go to remove wrinkles. Set the dryer to the correct cycle. Down-filled items, polyester, bedding, baby clothes, jeans and towels should be dried on low. Permanent press or regular fabrics can be dried at a higher temperature. - 13
Air dry delicates, sweaters, curtains, vinyl and wool, or any other item specified by the care label. Allow fabrics with lingering stains to air dry, as intense heat may set stains and make them impossible to remove. - 14
Send any dry-clean-only fabrics to a professional along with any garments with stubborn stains.
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