Sort

• Start by sorting clothing into piles of similar fabrics and colors. For example, sort all delicate items into one pile. Place thick fabrics such as towels and denim into another pile. Separate synthetic fibers from cotton clothing. Divide clothing, towels and sheets with colors by light and dark. Washing similar fabrics together helps clothes dry faster in the dryer while washing similar colors together keeps dyes from bleeding onto other items.
  
  

Treat Stains

• Examine every item in the laundry for stains; use a stain remover to treat any stains you find. Stain removers are available in both gel and liquid formats. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the product's use. For example, many stain removers require that you gently rub an application of the remover into the fabric and allow it to sit for several minutes before washing. To prevent bleaching or staining, perform a color test on new clothing. Apply a small amount of the stain remover to the inside of the clothing. Wait several minutes to ensure that the product doesn't alter the color of the clothing before using on it on the stain.
  
  

Wash

• Select a pile of laundry with similar colors and fabrics. Read the manufacturer's care label on the inside of a piece of clothing to determine the best washing machine settings to use. If you are using a top-loading machine, add the laundry detergent to the filling washer before the clothing. Adding the laundry detergent to the water first allows the detergent to mix with the water and keeps it from staining your clothing. Set the water level, temperature setting and wash cycle based on the type of clothing, and add the clothing to the washing machine. If desired, add fabric softener to the washing machine during the spin cycle.
  
  

Dry

• Take the clothes out of the washer and check each item for remaining stains. Drying a stained item will set the stain and make it impossible to remove. Put the clothes in the dryer. Open the lint trap and clean out any lint. Add a dryer sheet if desired. Set the dryer cycle and time based on the type of clothing you are drying. To reduce wear and shrinkage, do not over-dry your clothes. Follow the manufacturer's care instruction on clothing labels for the best heat and time settings to use.