Keep a well-stocked and -organized kit with basic sewing supplies at the ready, so you can tackle any tears before washing. Basic thread colors, sewing needles, spare buttons, stickpins (in their own small bin), and scissors are a must, while fabric pencils and measuring tape are also worth having on hand. Stow the kit above the washer as a reminder, and replenish it as needed.
Stash everything you need to treat stains into one bin or tray (page 189 for a list). The container will catch drips and is easy to carry from spot to spot (literally). Pour cleaners and solvents such as the ones shown here into clear bottles and label them; include some cotton swabs for dabbing small stains. Keep a stain-removal chart (see page 148) nearby.
