How to do Laundry

 

Your Guide to Sorting, Washing, Drying and More...

 

 

A Refresher Guide to Do Your Laundry Better

Laundry doesn’t have to be a mystery wrapped in a dirty sock. Whether you're doing laundry for the first time or just need a refresher. Here are some simple, foolproof guide to help you clean clothes without the chaos.

Step 1: Sort Your Laundry

Keep things from turning pink or fuzzy!

  • Separate by color: Whites, lights, darks, and brights. This prevents color bleeding.
  • Check fabrics: Wash delicates (like lace or silk) separately from heavier items like jeans or towels.
  • Look for labels: Clothing tags give washing instructions; don't ignore those tiny hieroglyphs!

 

Step 2: Pre-Treat Stains

If there's a stubborn stain:

  • Dab (don’t rub!) stain remover on the spot.
  • Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before washing.
  • For tough ones like grease or blood, look up the best treatment first.

 

Step 3: Choose Your Washing Settings

Every machine is a bit different, but here’s the usual:

Load Type

Water Temperature

Cycle Type

White

Hot

Normal

Dark/ Colors

Cold

Normal/ Gentle

Delicates

Cold

Gentle

Towels/ Sheets

Warm or Hot

Heavy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use cold water when in doubt - it saves energy and protects most fabrics.

 

Step 4: Add Detergent

  • Use the amount suggested on the detergent package.
  • For HE (high-efficiency) machines, use HE detergent.
  • Too much detergent = residue; too little = not clean enough.

 

Step 5: Dry with Care

  • Check tags again: If it says “air dry only”, skip the dryer.
  • Use low heat for delicates, high for towels, and medium for most clothes.
  • Remove clothes quickly after drying to avoid wrinkles.

 

Bonus Tips

  • Don’t overload the washer or dryer – they need space to work.
  • Fold or hang clothes immediately for maximum crispness.

Are you using the right detergent?

What you need to know about laundry detergent | Tide

More detergent doesn't make clothes cleaner!

How much laundry detergent to use - Laundry Tips | Tide 

Separate Laundry for best results!

How to separate laundry and sort clothes | Tide

Color safe bleach for garments with color.

What is color safe bleach and how to use it | Clorox

Use of bleach to clean, whiten and sanitize. 

How to use bleach in laundry | Clorox