When doing back-to-back loads, start with cold-water cycles and end with the hottest.
Today’s high-efficiency machines have a great deal of agitating power and require much less detergent to get clothes clean; if you have one, be sure to choose a low-sudsing product labeled for “He” use.
Borax also helps detergent work harder, dispersing it more evenly and also tackling stains.
Add ¼ cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle for softer towels and bedding.
Don’t overfill the machine. Fewer loads may sound tempting, but it’s at the risk of wearing out the items (due to more friction) and not having them get truly clean.
Use the shortest wash cycle (except for very soiled items) and rinse with cold water—it will save you time and money and still get the job done.
Hand-wash delicate items—lingerie, tights, fine knitwear—or launder them in zippered mesh bags on the “delicates” or “hand-wash” cycle.
4. dry
Air-dry when possible, either on a clothesline (check local regulations) or an indoor wooden rack, giving each item a good shake to smooth out wrinkles. You can also hang blouses and dresses on hangers to dry.
To soften items that are stiff after air-drying (towels and denim), tumble-dry briefly while still damp.
When tumble-drying clothes and bedding, use the gentlest cycle and lowest heat possible.
To extend the life of bedding and minimize wrinkles, take items out of the dryer right away—and avoid overdrying (use the moisture sensor); put sheets on beds and cases on pillows while still warm.
Make a habit of cleaning out the dryer’s lint filter after each use. If your dryer seems slow, that’s likely the cause.
5. fold/hang
Fold or hang clothes fresh from the dryer to avoid wrinkling—and clear the drying rack once clothes are dry (and before doing another load).
It helps to have a surface for folding right in the laundry area, either on top of the machines or a drop-down ledge.
Put folded items in drawers or closets right away—don’t let them pile up.
You may want to sort items into baskets and let kids fold and put away their own clothes—making sure they can reach drawers and shelves (provide a stool) and hanging rods; use labels so they know where everything goes.
Always hang skirts and pants on hangers with clips to maintain their drape and any pleats—put a cotton pad between the clip and fabric to prevent dents.
6. press
Smaller washloads can mean fewer wrinkles—as does removing items right after washing and drying (or while still damp in the case of sheets and pillowcases).
A steamer is gentle enough to work on even delicate fabrics but powerful enough to smooth out wrinkles from all but the most durable cottons and wrinkle-prone linens. Plus, there’s no board to contend with—you can steam clothes right on their hangers, and sheets on a bed.
That said, if you want crisp creases in your shirts or tablecloths, an iron is still the best tool. Organize your items from delicates or less wrinkled to sturdy or most wrinkled so the iron will be hot enough by the time it needs to be.
For nearly wrinkle-free clothes in a pinch, pop them into the dryer with a clean, damp towel for a few minutes.
Martha Must
I never use pre-scented laundry supplies. Instead, I add a few drops of organic essential oils—lavender, lemongrass, or eucalyptus—to unscented laundry detergent and dryer sheets.