7 laundry tips and tricks for washing clothes

Before you put your clothes in the washer, go through each item individually and remove any loose items that can’t be washed. Then sort and separate your clothing based on fabric type and color. 

Additional prepping tips:

• Button all buttons and zip up any zippers to help prevent damage during the wash cycle.

• When washing screen-printed or dark-colored clothes, turn each item inside out to protect their appearance.

• Spots and stains like grass stains, blood stains and grease stains should be treated before clothing goes through a wash cycle.

If you’re washing delicates like bras and lingerie, it’s best to use a mesh bag for extra protection. Mesh bags can help protect delicate fabrics from snagging and stretching in the washer. Always clasp any metal hooks on your delicates before placing them in the mesh bag. 

​​Air drying is the best way to maintain fabric and form when washing delicate fabrics, denim and wool garments. It helps prevent shrinkage, fading and distortion while preserving the natural softness of the materials. Additionally, air-drying eliminates the risk of excessive heat that can damage delicate fabrics like cashmere or silk. To help prevent fading, avoid hanging your garments in direct sunlight.

Regularly cleaning your washing machine is necessary to help keep it in good condition. Washing your machine helps to remove any dirt, soap scum or other debris that may have accumulated over time. This will help to ensure that your washer is running optimally.

It is strongly recommended to clean your washing machine monthly or after every 30 wash cycles. Depending on how much you use the washing machine, it may be necessary to clean it more often. Affresh^® washing machine cleaner¹ is formulated to dissolve slowly throughout the wash cycle to remove residue and grime from your appliance.

The wash and dry cycle settings you choose for your load of laundry depend on the type of fabrics and colors, as well as how heavily soiled the clothes are. For example, delicates should be washed in cold water to help prevent color bleed and shrinkage, while denim should always be air-dried. 

The names of cycle settings vary depending on your model, but you can use the list below as a general guide to washer settings.

• Normal: For moderately soiled colors, sheets, mixed garments and linens.

• Whites: Use when washing white items or heavily soiled garments.

• Delicates: Bras, lingerie, washable silks and other delicate items like blouses and slacks can be washed with this cycle.

After the wash cycle is complete, transfer your clothes to the dryer or drying rack as soon as possible to avoid smells and reduce wrinkling. Additionally, inspect all items for any remaining stains and avoid drying any items with stains, as heat can set those stains permanently into fabrics. Always pay attention to the labels on your garments since they will indicate the best way to dry that particular fabric.

Towels should be washed after every three uses or so to keep them looking and smelling fresh. Towels and washcloths come into close contact with your body and absorb water with every use, and washing and drying them in high temperatures can help prevent bacteria growth.

Bras are delicate garments that need to be laundered with care, and you should wash your bras after every two or three wears. Bras are made with fabrics that can stretch over time, so it’s important to wash them in cool water and avoid over-drying them. Always air-dry bras or lay them flat on a drying rack.

Jeans can typically go longer between washes as they’re less likely to come into contact with soils and sweat. If you wear your jeans mostly indoors, you can wash them every few wears. However, you may want to wash your jeans more often if you wear them in warm weather or while working outside.

Bed sheets can quickly accumulate germs, sweat, body oils and other debris from daily use, so washing them regularly is important. To keep bed sheets crisp and clean, they should be washed at least once a week—or more frequently as needed.

Unlike pillowcases and sheets, your actual pillows can go a little longer between washes. To help remove bacteria, oil, dirt and dust mites that build up over time, pillows should be washed at least twice a year.