How To Do Laundry

Stop Ruining Your Clothes - Here's How To Wash And Dry Them Like A Pro

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Washing Machine Settings

Today’s washing machines often feature an overwhelming number of settings and buttons, from the most expensive models down to the more budget-friendly versions. However, every washing machine has a number of common features that any expert washer will be able to master with a bit of experience.

Regular/Normal Cycle

Trust us, when washing whites always select the regular/normal cycle. Think gym wear, underwear, socks, t-shirts etc. The regular cycle utilizes strong agitation speeds and hot water to get your clothes looking clean and crisp. The hot water will work to remove stains out of white clothes but may cause colored fabrics to fade, so be careful. The more basic washing machines may not have an option for regular or normal. On these machines simply set your water temperature to hot and you'll get the same results.

Lethal combination: Using warm water with white clothes = dirty, germ-ridden underwear and gym socks.

Permanent Press

This is the one setting that probably confuses the most people. So let's break it down for you. As a rule, you should make sure that all of your colored laundries go through the permanent-press cycle. Colored clothes, i.e. polo shirts, khaki pants and dress socks, are permanent staples of your wardrobe, so keep that in mind as you drop them in the wash.

The permanent-press cycle works by washing first with warm water and then following it up with a cool water rinse. This cycle is far gentler on your clothes than a normal/regular cycle due to the lower temperature and mild-agitation. Use the permanent press cycle to keep those wardrobe staples of yours, feeling and looking fresh and clean. If your washer doesn't have this cycle option then you can simply select "warm water" as the go-to setting for a similar result.

Lethal combination: Hot water plus colored garments = faded clothes that you're going to want to throw out.

Delicates

If an article of clothing seems lightweight and delicate, then it should be an obvious choice to use the delicate cycle when washing it. Trust us, you’ll know if something is delicate just by touching it. One good tip with delicates though is to first check the label to make sure it’s not a dry-clean-only or wash-by-hand garment. And if a piece of clothing has any of those instructions do yourself a favor and follow them. Delicate-cycle worthy items are usually cotton-blend sweaters, linen shirts, and athletic dry-fit wear. The fabric of these garments can be very fragile and stretchy so the delicate cycle uses cold water and only light agitation to very gently clean away any dirt. If your machine doesn't have an option for delicates then your best bet is to select the cold water setting.

Lethal combination: Warm water and your delicates = damaged, misshapen clothing.

Hand Wash

If you look at your clothing labels you might find some pieces are "hand wash only." More often then not, these are usually things like wool sweaters, silk underwear or bed sheets. You should never throw these in a washer as they will end up looking terrible or even shrinking. Instead, make sure you clean your sink out carefully and then fill it with warm water and a mild detergent. Next, take your hand wash only garment and gently knead it in the water for a minute or two. Then rinse it thoroughly before lying it flat somewhere clean to dry off. Avoid hanging your clothing up as it can cause it to stretch out.

Lethal combination: Regular detergent added to hand wash only clothing = grimy, soap-saturated fabric.

RELATED READING: How To Buy The Best Bed Sheets

Detergents

The realm of laundry products is vast and wide, and it’s not always easy figuring out which products to use and which will work best for you. We’ve rounded up some of the highest rated products on the market to help make this important part of the laundry process easier to navigate based on your needs and preferences.

When choosing a detergent, a few things to think about include:

Is your washing machine high-efficiency? If so, you’ll need to use detergent specifically designed for use in an HE machine. High-efficiency washing machines use much less water than traditional machines and require detergents that will work with HE wash cycles.

If so, you’ll need to use detergent specifically designed for use in an HE machine. High-efficiency washing machines use much less water than traditional machines and require detergents that will work with HE wash cycles. Do you have sensitive skin or allergies? If so, you will want to choose detergents that are free of dyes and chemicals. Some detergents even have “safe for sensitive skin” or “dermatologist approved” labels.

If so, you will want to choose detergents that are free of dyes and chemicals. Some detergents even have “safe for sensitive skin” or “dermatologist approved” labels. Are you looking for a naturally-derived, eco-friendly detergent? While there are a lot of great eco-friendly detergents out there, not all packaging that claims to be “natural” is actually, well, natural. So make sure to read labels and do a little research.

Best High-Efficiency Detergents

Tide HE Turbo Clean Liquid Laundry Detergent

This detergent is one of the top-rated HE detergents on the market, and reviews praise its effectiveness at removing stains and leaving a light scent while still being safe for sensitive skin. This detergent is phosphate-free and made of biodegradable soaps.

$9.94 at Amazon.com

Dropps HE Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent Pacs

Reviews note these plant-based detergent pods are incredibly effective at removing even heavy dirt and grease while being cruelty-free and all-natural.

$29.73 at Amazon.com

Method Fresh Air High-Efficiency Laundry Detergent Refill

This HE detergent uses a patented smartclean technology® that allows it to clean as effectively as other detergents using ¼ of the product. Using a refill process also means less waste.

$17.99 at Target.com

Best Standard Washing Machine Detergents

Tide Ultra Stain Release FREE Liquid Laundry Detergent

The Wirecutter named Tide Ultra the best overall laundry detergent of 2017 for its ability to remove both stains and odors while being free of dyes and chemicals (so it is safe for those with sensitive skin), and reviews agree: great cleaning performance and safe for all types of clothes.

$12.00 at Target.com

True Laundry Detergent

This new kid on the detergent block has quickly become one of the highest rated detergents on Amazon. Reviews praise the 4x-concentrated detergent for its effectiveness at removing dirt and odors while leaving behind a nice, but not overpowering scent. The 4x concentration also means it is usable in both standard and HE washers, and a little goes a long way, making it a budget-friendly option as well.

$14.99 at Amazon.com

Persil ProClean Power-Liquid Laundry Detergent

This budget-friendly brand receives great reviews everywhere, including Consumer Reports, for its powerful cleaning ability and light fresh scent.

$10.79 at Amazon.com

Method 4x Concentrated Laundry Detergent

While reviews seem, by in large, to absolutely love the Ginger Mango scent of this detergent, they also like the concentrated cleaning power and the fact one bottle will launder over 60 loads.

$12.99 at Target.com

Best Eco-Friendly Detergents

Puracy Natural 10x Liquid Laundry Detergent

Designed by doctors for people (including babies) with extremely sensitive skin, this powerful enzyme-based detergent is incredibly safe, plant-based, free of synthetics and dyes, and is one of the highest-rated overall detergents (based on consumer reviews) on Amazon.

$24.69 for 2-pack at Amazon.com

Seventh Generation Natural 4X Concentrated Laundry Detergent Free and Clear Unscented

As a designated EPA Safer Choice Certified Product, this plant-derived detergent receives high marks for its eco-friendly, cruelty-free status and its tough stain and odor fighting capabilities.

$24.69 for 2-pack at Amazon.com

Natural HE Powder Laundry Detergent by Rockin' Green

Rockin’ Green is a new name in the eco-friendly detergent market and is quickly becoming a standout for its exceptionally green profile, including a made-in-the-USA footprint, and a paraben-free, phosphate-free, dye-free, cruelty-free status while still maintaining a powerful cleaning performance.

$20.95 at Amazon.com

Drying Clothes

If only it was as simple as tossing everything in the dryer and pressing a button. However, dryers, while genius inventions, can shrink, fade, and damage certain materials, so to keep your clothes in great shape, it’s important to take the time to read labels and follow some basic guidelines.

Line Dry:

Certain clothes, like sweaters and jeans, will have an extended life when the dryer is skipped altogether. Consider investing in a foldable drying rack for the following items:

Levi's offers insight into the benefits of line drying jeans, among them, preservation of the fabric and shape of the jeans.

Sweaters are also recommended for air drying as this will help preserve their shape and keep more delicate fabrics like wool or cashmere from shrinking.

Dark colored and black clothing will benefit from air drying because dryer heat can fade colors. Note: Outdoor line drying in the sun can fade colors, so indoor air drying is recommended for darker clothing items.

Also consider line drying any items that you do not want to shrink, like a t-shirt or pair of pants that fit perfectly if a little snug.

Dryer Settings:

Permanent Press

This is typically a medium heat setting and is best for lightweight everyday clothing, basically any item that you can wash on warm and items you are not concerned about fading.

Regular or Heavy

This is the dryer’s workhorse setting using very high heat, so save this setting for towels, sheets, socks, and items you are not concerned about shrinkage or fading. Avoid using high heat for most clothing items, as this setting can damage, shrink, and fade items.

Note: Fabric softener reduces the absorbency of towels, so skip the fabric softener when drying towels.

Delicate

This is the lowest heat setting and is best for drying clothes that are susceptible to shrinking or fading. Delicate is recommended for items like pants, shirts, sweaters, and delicate undergarments.

No Heat or Fluff

If you have line dried clothes that you want to soften or if you want to de-wrinkle an item, use this cycle along with a fabric softener sheet or damp washcloth.

Dyer Sheets

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dryer Sheets, Lavender

These highly-rated dryer sheets are a more natural alternative to traditional dryer sheets. Made-in-the-USA out of paper, they rely on vegetable-derived softening agents and essential oils, making them gentler for you and your clothes while leaving laundry smelling fresh and feeling soft.

$5.83 at Amazon.com

Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets, Outdoor Fresh

These very popular softener sheets receive high ratings for effectively reducing static cling and leaving laundry smelling fresh and clean.

$8.94 at Amazon.com

Method Beach Sage Dryer Sheets

Made from 100% compostable paper, these eco-friendly dryer sheets effectively reduce static cling while leaving clothes with a nice scent.

$4.99 at Target.com

Seventh Generation Fabric Softener Sheets

Specifically designed for those with sensitive skin, these naturally-derived softener sheets effectively reduce static and leave clothes soft without added scents or chemicals.

$4.99 at Amazon.com

Wool Dryer Balls - Pack of 6 - Natural Fabric Softener

If you’re looking for the most natural way to soften your clothes and reduce static cling, consider switching to reusable wool dryer balls, which are chemical-free, eco-friendly, and incredibly gentle on clothes.

$10.49 at Amazon.com

Folding Clothes

The final step in any laundry routine is, of course, hanging up clothes or folding and putting them away. This step should be done soon after the items are taken out of the dryer to prevent a basket of wrinkled clothes from forming. While folding seems like a straightforward task, there are some definite tricks to folding certain types of items that will help them stay folded, organized, and unwrinkled between uses.

T-Shirts : Check out this easy-to-follow t-shirt folding video tutorial from master organizer and best-selling author, Marie Kondo. The video also shows the best way to store t-shirts to keep them from becoming wrinkled in your drawers.

: Check out this easy-to-follow t-shirt folding video tutorial from master organizer and best-selling author, Marie Kondo. The video also shows the best way to store t-shirts to keep them from becoming wrinkled in your drawers. Socks : There are two schools of thoughts when it comes to sock foldings. Both methods are useful for keeping socks together and saving space in your sock drawer, so it’s really a matter of whether you are a rolled sock or a square sock person. Military style involves a tight rolling method. The Marie Kondo Method requires folding into thirds to create sock squares.

: There are two schools of thoughts when it comes to sock foldings. Both methods are useful for keeping socks together and saving space in your sock drawer, so it’s really a matter of whether you are a rolled sock or a square sock person. Military style involves a tight rolling method. The Marie Kondo Method requires folding into thirds to create sock squares. Jeans : Jeans can take up a lot of drawer space, but there is an easy method for folding jeans that will save space and keep jeans wrinkle free.

: Jeans can take up a lot of drawer space, but there is an easy method for folding jeans that will save space and keep jeans wrinkle free. Fitted Sheets: For many of us, fitted sheets are enemy no. 1 in the folding department, but leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with a quick trick to folding fitted sheets so they won’t look like a ball of wadded up material stuffed into your closet.

For many of us, fitted sheets are enemy no. 1 in the folding department, but leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with a quick trick to folding fitted sheets so they won’t look like a ball of wadded up material stuffed into your closet. Towels: Once again we’re turning to Martha Stewart for a super quick towel folding tutorial. This method is fast and smart. It’s designed so that towels are ready to be hung on a towel rack when unfolded.

Laundry

Like it or not, unless you hire a cleaning service, laundry is a task that you need to tackle on a regular basis. However, unlike other chores (read: clearing the gutters, or scrubbing the toilet), doing laundry doesn't have to be a grimy and gross chore, in fact, it can be somewhat relaxing.

Since you are probably spending a decent amount of money on your clothing, sheets, and towels you wouldn't want to lose these items to stains or shrinking in the wash. Follow these helpful tips and your next laundry day will be quick and easy.

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