How to Do Laundry

To get started doing your laundry, follow these steps:

• 1. Sort clothes: Separate your clothes by color, fabric type, and washing instructions.
• 2. Treat stains: Apply a stain remover or detergent directly to any spots before washing.
• 3. Add laundry detergent: Select a detergent that matches your laundry needs and fabric types.
• 4. Decide on laundry boosters: After putting in your clothes, add bleach, fabric softener, or laundry boosters as needed for extra cleaning or softness.
• 5. Choose washer and dryer settings: Use the appropriate wash and dry cycles for your clothing to prevent damage.
• 6. Fold and put away: Fold your clean laundry promptly and store it neatly to keep clothes fresh and wrinkle-free.

Step 1: Sort Your Laundry

There's more to the sorting game than just keeping dark garments away from the gleaming whites. The secret is mixing and matching items into loads that need similar soaps or detergents, wash cycles and water temperatures. It's the time to check those garment care labels for special cleaning instructions. Without a doubt, smart sorting is the way of insuring clean results - wash, after wash, after wash.

Sort by color

Wash all whites separately; pastels and medium colors together; brights and darks by themselves. Pay special attention to white and lightly colored synthetics; they can pick up dark dyes from other fabrics during washing. Check trimmings and decorations for colorfastness too.

Sort for soil

Sort out those heavily soiled items away from the lightly soiled ones, since lightly soiled items can pick up the extra soil from the wash water. Whites will slowly get grayer or yellower; colors will become duller and duller.

Specialty sorts

The Unmatched Set: Mix small and large items together in each load. This lets clothes move more freely, resulting in better washing.

The Fabric Types: Consider the fabrics and how they are constructed. Separate loosely knitted garments and delicates from regular wash loads, then wash on the gentle cycle.

The Lint Losers: Fuzzy sweat shirts, chenille robes, flannels and new towels have a tendency to share their lint with other garments during washing. Wash them in a load by themselves - away from corduroys and permanent press garments, which attract lint easily.

The Fluorescents: Hot pinks, bright greens, electric blues are often much less colorfast than other fabrics. Wash them separately or test them first before washing with other colors. For safety's sake do not pretreat with stain removers unless you have tested them for colorfastness first on an inconspicuous area. Fluorescent colors may fade over time.

Step 2: Treat and Remove Stains

Take care to wash away any spots and stains on your washables. It helps to know exactly what type of stain it is for your best chance at removal.

Stain Removal Process

 

• Identify the spot. The more you know about what made the spot or stain, the more likely you are to treat it appropriately. This means you have a better chance to remove it, plus you are less likely to set it further by using the wrong treatment. When in doubt, rinse or soak in cold water before treating or laundering.
• Treat the spot immediately! The sooner you attack the spot, the easier it is to remove. Get into the habit of checking freshly washed wet clothes for stains that don't wash away. Instead of drying them, pretreat the stains and wash them again. Drying can permanently set the stains.
• Pretreat, plus Pretreating a stain before it is dried or set increases your chances for removing it. Use a prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, or a paste made from a powdered laundry detergent and a little water. First, test for colorfastness by pretreating a seam or other inconspicuous area. Then, launder the entire garment with a detergent - plus a bleach that's safe for the fabric.
• Blot it out! Sponge a stain - don't rub it. Rubbing only spreads it and may even damage the fabric.

 

Stain Fighting Tips

 

• Beverage stains: Beverages containing sugar, such as wine or ginger ale, may seem to disappear. But don't be fooled - they may still be there! Once the stain has been exposed to air, the sugar oxidizes and leaves an invisible stain, which ultimately turns yellow or brown. The stain never left .. it was there all along. To remedy? Treat even those light stains you can't see immediately - before they dry.
• Using a bleach? Prevent uneven color changes by bleaching the entire garment - not just the stain.
• Old stains rarely fade away- but it's possible! Try pretreating or soaking in a product containing enzymes, then launder.
• Wash it away! After treating a stain, launder the complete garment to remove any residue left from the stain or stain remover.

 

For detailed tips by stain type, check out our stain removal guide.

Step 3: Choose the Best Detergent

Always use the proper amount of detergent when washing. What's the right amount? Read the label and keep in mind that too much detergent or too little can leave your clothes less clean than using the optimal amount. Follow the fabric care instructions on your clothing.

Detergents

Liquids
All-purpose laundry detergents that are especially effective on food, greasy and oily soils. Since they are liquids, they are good for pretreating spots and stains.

Powders
All-purpose laundry detergents which are ideal for general washday loads. Especially effective on lifting out clay and ground-in dirt, thus ideal for children's play clothes.

Ultra Detergents
Most liquid and powder detergents are now concentrated. They come in much smaller packages - yet offer the same amount of cleaning power as the familiar products in larger packages. You need less ultra detergent than with an unconcentrated product, so follow the label instructions and use the measuring cap or scoop that comes with the product.

Combination Detergents
One detergent that does two jobs. Look for: Liquid or powder detergents with built-in fabric softeners Powders detergents with color-safe bleach

Fragrance or Dye-Free Detergents
Many laundry products are now fragrance-free and/or dye-free. Read product labels for specific details. Liquid detergents with bleach alternative.

Detergent Packets
Single-load liquid laundry packets are a relatively new laundry innovation containing highly concentrated detergent. Learn more about liquid laundry packets and about our #PacketsUp safety initiative.

 

Light Duty Detergents

Laundry Liquids and Powders
Designed for hand or machine washing those lightly soiled items and

Dishwashing Liquids
Designed for washing dishes, but some can be used for handwashing delicate fabrics. Do not use in automatic washers!

Step 4: Add Sanitizer, Softener or Laundry Booster

Pay attention to when and where these products should be added. Many washers will have separate compartments for laundry softeners, sanitizers, and other boosting products.

Bleaches

Benefits
Convert soils into colorless, soluble particles which are easily removed by detergents, then carried away in the wash water. Brighten and whiten fabrics; help remove stubborn stains.

Types
Sodium hypochlorite bleaches (also called chlorine or liquid household bleach) are the more powerful laundry bleaches; they disinfect, as well as clean and whiten. They work on many whites and colorfast washables - but not on wools or silks. Oxygen (color-safe) bleaches are more gentle, working safely on all washable fabrics. They work best in maintaining whiteness, not in restoring it.

Techniques
For Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach, read the label and dilute as directed. For best results, add 5 minutes after the wash cycle has begun to agitate in order to avoid destroying enzymes and fluorescent whiteners in the detergent.

For Oxygen Bleach, add directly to the wash water before the clothes are added. Do not pour powdered bleach directly on wet clothes. Most effective in warm-to-hot water.

IMPORTANT: Have doubts whether a garment is safe to bleach? Don't guess - you may be sorry! Read the garment's care label for specific instructions. Test first for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area by following the instructions on bleach package label. 

Learn more about how to use bleach in laundry.

Enzyme Presoaks

Benefits
Especially effective in removing protein stains, like baby formula, blood, body fluids, dairy products, eggs and grass. When added to the wash water, they also boost the cleaning power of the detergent.

Type
Powders

Technique
Presoak laundry in the washer, sink or a pail before washing. Follow the label directions.

Fabric Softeners

Benefits
Decrease static cling, which is especially useful when washing permanent-press and synthetic fibers. Make fabrics softer and fluffier... reduce drying time ... reduce wrinkling ... make ironing easier.

Types
Liquid fabric softeners go into the final rinse water; one type can also be used on a cloth and tossed into the dryer. Follow the label directions.
Softener sheets go into the dryer.
Packet-type softeners attach to the fin of the dryer drum.

Techniques
When adding liquid softeners to the rinse water, be sure to dilute first. Do not pour directly on fabrics, because this may cause staining or spotting.

IMPORTANT: Fabric softeners may reduce the effectiveness of flame retardancy on fabrics, like those used in children's sleepwear.

Learn more about fabric softeners.

Prewash Soil and Stain Removers

Benefits
Effective in pretreating heavily soiled and stained garments, especially those made from polyester fibers. Work well on oil-based stains like animal fats, body soils, cooking oils, cosmetics and motor oils. Soap bars work well on fabric softener, perspiration and tobacco stains.

Types
Liquids, sprays, gels, sticks and soap bars

Techniques
It's best to treat the stain as quickly as possible. Use liquid, gel and spray removers just before washing the garment. If the stain still remains, apply a second treatment, rubbing directly into the stain.

When using the stick type, immediately rub the stick on the fresh stain, then set it aside and wash later - even as much as a week later.

IMPORTANT: Do not use prewash soil and stain removers on neon and fluorescent colors. The colors might fade or run.

Starches, Fabric Finishes and Sizing

Benefits
Give body to fabrics ... make fabrics more soil-resistant ... make ironing easier.

Types
Powders, liquids and sprays.

Techniques
Use starches on cottons and cotton blends ... use fabric finishes and sizings on synthetic fabrics.

Water Softeners

Benefits
Help detergents do their job better by inactivating calcium and magnesium minerals which make water hard.

Types
Powders and liquids.

Techniques
Add powders to the wash or rinse water. Add liquids to rinse water only.

IMPORTANT: Soft water aids cleaning. Hard water contains minerals (mostly calcium and magnesium) which react with soap to form a curd. This soap curd can show up on clothes as a white powder, make fabrics feel stiff and attach to the inside of washing machines. The forming of the curd uses up some of the soap and reduces its cleaning power.if you are doing laundry in hard water, even a detergent needs some help. Add slightly more detergent than the product label directions recommend. The extra detergent will help soften the water and allow the remaining detergent to do its cleaning job. You can also add a water softener or detergent booster to the wash water to increase cleaning power.

Do you have hard water? Your local water company, public utility consumer service department or Cooperative Extension Service office can provide this information or refer you to someone who can. You probably have hard water if white residue forms around faucets and drains or if fabrics feel stiff, not fluffy.

 

Step 5: Choose the Appropriate Washer and Dryer Settings

Washer Cycle Settings

• Normal/Cotton: This everyday setting is ideal for your regular cotton clothing, towels, and sheets. It uses a vigorous wash action with warm or hot water to tackle everyday dirt.
• Delicates/Gentle: Designed for fragile fabrics like silk, lingerie, or athletic wear. This cycle uses a gentler wash and spin to protect your clothes from damage.
• Heavy Duty: Use this cycle for extra-dirty items such as jeans, sweatshirts, or bedding. It provides a longer, more intense wash to handle tough stains and soil.
• Quick Wash: Perfect for lightly soiled items or when you’re short on time. This setting cleans small loads in less than 30 minutes, saving both water and energy.

Dryer Cycle Settings

• Normal/Automatic: The go-to cycle for everyday cottons and linens. It uses medium heat to dry clothes efficiently.
• Delicate/Low Heat: Best for lightweight or heat-sensitive fabrics. This gentle cycle helps prevent shrinking and keeps your clothes in good condition.
• Permanent Press: Reduces wrinkles in synthetic fibers and blends, using a medium heat followed by a cool-down period.
• Air Fluff/No Heat: Great for freshening up clothes or fluffing pillows without heat. It’s also perfect for items that should not be exposed to high temperatures.

Step 6: Fold and Put Clothes Away

• Fold clothes promptly to prevent wrinkles.
• Only fold and store clothes when they are fully dry.

Pro Tips for Best Laundry Results

• Follow the instructions on how much laundry detergent to use. More isn't necessarily better.
• Follow the fabric care labels on your clothes. Those symbols contain a lot of useful information.
• Don't forget to regularly emptying the lint trap in the dryer.
• Don’t overload the washer—clothes need room to move.
• Check pockets for items before washing.
• Wash new, dark, or brightly colored items separately the first few times.
• Use mesh bags for small or delicate items.
• Air dry delicates and items prone to shrinking.

Don't guess - read the product label. These fabric care symbols offer the best advice for caring for the garment - wash, after wash. There's more on the label than you might think. Here are some important clues to look for.

Download the guide

Washing

Cycle

Machine Wash Normal

 

Machine Wash Permanent Press

 

Machine Wash Delicate or Gentle

 

Temperature

Machine Wash 80F

 

Machine Wash 105F

 

Machine Wash 120F

 

Machine Wash 140F

 

Machine Wash 160F

 

Machine Wash 200

 

Other

Do Not Wash

 

Hand Wash

 

Bleaching

Other

Bleach When Needed

 

non-Chlorine Bleach When Needed

 

Do Not Bleach

 

Dry-Cleaning

Other

Dry-Clean

 

Dry-Clean Any Solvent

 

Dry-Clean Any Solvent Except Trichloroethylene

 

Dry-Clean Petroleum Solvent Only

 

Do Not Dry-Clean

 

Short Cycle

 

Low Heat

 

Reduced Moisture

 

No Steam

 

Drying

Cycle

Tumble Dry Normal

 

Tumble Dry Permanent Press

 

Tumble Dry Gentle

 

Heat Setting

Dry Normal Low Heat

 

Dry Normal Medium Heat

 

Dry High Heat

 

Other

Do Not Tumble Dry

 

Line Dry

 

Drip Dry

 

Dry Flat

 

Dry in Shade

 

Do Not Dry

 

Do Not Wring

 

Ironing

Temperature

Iron 230F

 

Iron 300F

 

Iron 390F

 

Other

Do Not Iron

 

Iron Any Temperature Steam

 

Do Not Steam

 

 

The sniff test may tell you if you wore enough deodorant, but does not always work when deciding if you need to wash your clothes. What you do, the fabric type, the wear and the weather can play a deciding factor. The American Cleaning Institute offers these tips to help determine if it’s time to wash those bed sheets, jeans, shirts, socks and underwear.

View the List

Clothing

Basics

Pajamas

Wash after 3 or 4 wears (if you shower before bed, you may be able to wait a bit longer).

Underwear

Wash after each wear.

Bras

Bras can be worn 2-3 times before washing. Be sure to give your bra a rest day in between wearing to give the elastic a chance to regain its shape.

Socks

Wash after each wear.

T-shirts and Tank Tops

Wash after each wear.

Jeans

Can be worn 3 times before washing.

Dress Clothes

Suit

Typically can be worn several times during normal use before dry cleaning (3-4 times for wool and 4-5 times for synthetics).

Camisoles

Wash after each wear.

Dress Shirts

Can be worn a few times before washing unless soiled by stains, dirt or sweat.

Slacks and Skirts

Can be worn a few times before washing unless soiled by stains, dirt or sweat.

Tights

Should be washed after every wear to get rid of the baggy knees.

Other

Bathing Suit

Wash after each wear.

Leggings

Should be washed after every wear to get rid of the baggy knees.

Coat

Wash once or twice per season.

Bed & Bath

Linens

Bed Sheets

Wash every two weeks, more often if you sweat a lot at night.

Bath Towels

Towels should be hung to dry between uses and washed after 3-5 normal uses.

Blankets and Bedspreads

Wash monthly.

Exceptions

Other

Whites

Whites are prone to discoloration and should be cleaned after every wear.

Silks

Silks are prone to discoloration and should be cleaned after every wear.

Stained Clothes

Wash, spot clean or dry clean as soon as possible.