How TO
WASH Clothes

Take a few minutes to brush up on some laundry basics to keep your whites whiter and darks darker.

1. SORT into loads

Begin by sorting whites from colors, and then by separating light colors from darks. Then sort further:

• Separate heavy fabrics (such as denim) from more delicate ones (such as workout gear).
• Wash very dirty clothes separately from the rest.
• Always wash brand-new brights on their own for the first few cycles, when they’re most likely to bleed.
• Launder white towels and sheets on their own.

2. PREP individual items

Empty pockets and turn them inside out, when possible. (Keep jars nearby for loose change.) Also do the following to protect your garments:

• Unroll socks and shirt and pant cuffs.
• Zip zippers, tie drawstrings, close snaps and hooks, and fasten Velcro.
• Leave shirt buttons unbuttoned.
• Treat any stains (see page 132). Soak any soiled whites in liquid oxygen bleach before washing.
• Check items for snags, holes, or other problem areas and mend before washing (see page 144).
• Turn items that are prone to pilling, such as cotton T-shirts and sweaters, inside out.
• Put any delicates in a mesh bag (or wash by hand).

3. CHOOSE the WATER TEMPERATURE

To extend the life of your washables, use the coolest temperature and gentlest cycle for each load. Other considerations include:

• Hot water (120°F) is the best way to keep whites white and to clean very dirty, colorfast clothes (separately).
• Warm water (90°F to 110°F) is good for most average loads, and won’t cause as much color fading as hot.
• Cold water (below 85°F) is the wise choice for delicates as well as bright colors that are likely to fade. Just keep in mind that detergents are not as effective in water that is below 65°F.

4. Load the machine

You may think you are saving on water and energy by packing items into the washing machine (for fewer loads), but overloading cuts down on efficiency. Make sure items fit loosely rather than being packed in tight. In addition:

• Avoid adding more than the suggested amount of detergent—it won’t get your clothes any cleaner, and an excess might not be rinsed away.
• When washing whites, add a laundry booster, such as borax, oxygen bleach, or washing soda. Once a month (or when your whites become dull), wash them with a color remover (available at many supermarkets). Alternatively, soak non-shrinking items in boiling water and oxygen bleach in a sink or basin.
• For your darkest items, use liquid detergents—powders can leave behind residue. To prevent fading, wash with cold or warm water (never hot) and turn items (notably denim pieces) inside out before washing.

5. CONSIDER before drying

Never dry anything with a stain; the heat will set the stain.

• Always check for stains when items come out of the washer; treat any you find and wash again.
• If any color bleeding occurred, launder the clothes again separately.