Rules

• Wash everything (except all-white clothes) in cold water. Cotton whites can be washed on hot or warm with bleach, if needed. When in doubt, use settings for cold water and delicate cycle, and lay flat to dry.
• Always read the clothing label before washing something for the first time. Also learn what the washing symbols mean.
• Hand washing usually can be done in the machine with a delicate cycle and a mesh laundry bag.
• "Lay flat to dry" means never put that item in the dryer!
• Read the instructions of the laundry detergent, bleach and softeners — and follow them.
• The more expensive the piece of clothing, the more likely it is to have special washing instructions sewn into a side seam. It’s also more likely to need a delicate wash, or dry cleaning.
• If you clothes are not losing their "gym" smell, use a stain stick on the parts that collect the most sweat and wash a load with only the stinkies in it, leaving the lid open at the beginning of the cycle to allow them to soak for 30 minutes to an hour. The machine won't start spinning with the lid open.
• Change bedsheets monthly. If you have allergies, wash bedding more frequently (every one to two weeks). Change pillowcases at least weekly to avoid acne. If you have allergies, use dust mite covers on the mattress and pillows.
• Wash bath towels weekly, and don’t share them.
• Don't dry clothes on hot/high if you don't want them to shrink. Hang dry or tumble dry instead.

Supplies

• Laundry detergent. Choose hypoallergenic detergent if you have sensitive skin or allergies.
• Bleach (for whites only). Keep bleach in the laundry room because if it leaks it can ruin anything it touches.
• Dryer sheets to soften clothes and reduce cling and wrinkles, as well as make things smell "fresh."
• Stain stick or spray to put on stains (like blood, food, grease and sweat) before putting clothes in the laundry basket.
• Laundry bags to keep delicate items from ripping or getting too tangled during the spin cycle.

Steps

Sort by color and material (all white, cottons and sturdy fabrics; colored things, all but delicate; and delicates including bras, undies, silk, synthetics, lacey things, etc.).

White Loads

• Select size of load, hot or warm water, and regular cycle.
• Add detergent and bleach, if using, as water fills.
• Add clothes, distributing them evenly, and close lid.
• Move clothes to dryer when done.
• Choose hot/cotton/heavy cycle.
• Add dryer softening sheet.

Colored Loads

• Select size of load, cold water and regular cycle.
• Add detergent as water fills.
• Add clothes, distributing them evenly, and close lid.
• Move clothes to dryer when done.
• Choose regular/permanent press cycle.
• Add dryer softening sheet.

Delicate Loads

• Select size of load, cold water and delicate cycle.
• Add detergent as water fills.
• Put clothes in laundry bags, if using, to avoid damage in spin cycle.
• Add clothes, distributing them evenly, and close lid.
• Remove clothes that have to lay flat or hang to dry and move other clothes to dryer when done.
• Choose low/delicate cycle.
• Add dryer softening sheet.
• Check after 10 minutes.

Youth Reviewer: Madison Brown-Moffitt

Reviewed by: Elizabeth W. Lee, M.D.

Last reviewed: November 2018