Bedding Basics

“People often forget to launder all of their bedclothes,” says Nancy Bock, vice president of education for the Soap and Detergent Association. She recommends washing your sheets every week. Items like blankets, comforters and mattress pads should be cleaned at least monthly, and pillows should be laundered four or more times a year. And don’t forget to throw in the dust ruffle at the same time.

Laundry on the Go

Do you schlep your dirty clothes to a launderette or a community laundry room? Lug less by substituting regular bulky detergent with an ultra or concentrated formula, such as All’s Small & Mighty detergent, $6 for 32 oz., which takes up
one-third the space of a regular bottle. Laundry tablets, the most compact option, allow you to bring exactly the amount you need.

Bleach Basics

“People tend to add bleach too early in the wash process,” points out Dan Pigatto, buyer of laundry products for Sears. The result? The bleach destroys enzymes that deliver the detergent’s cleaning action. Unless your machine has a timed dispenser, follow the timing instructions on the package for adding bleach — usually during the last five to seven minutes of the wash cycle.

The Perfect Product

Use the right detergent for your washer. If you have a high-efficiency (HE) machine, an HE laundry detergent works best. However, it’s fine to use an HE detergent in a regular machine. Not sure if your machine is high efficiency? Look at your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s Web site.

Liquid vs. Powder

Your individual preference prevails here. Neither powder nor liquid detergent is better overall. However, a liquid may be more effective on greasy or oily stains, while a powder tends to be more effective on clay and ground-in dirt (so it’s a great choice for children’s playclothes).

Chill Factor

Thanks to improved machine technology and new detergents made specifically for low temperatures, you can get your clothes clean and save money and energy by limiting yourself to using cold water. However, notes Pigatto, a lot of people haven’t adopted this useful change. Try Tide Coldwater, $7 for 100 oz.

Be Nice to Knits

With today’s advanced technology, it is OK to machine-wash most knits and delicates (though you should never wash anything labeled Dry Clean Only). Just choose a gentle cycle and cool water. If your machine offers a delicate cycle, you may want to pick up the new large-size bottle from Woolite, $6 for 50 oz., which is ideal for machine use.

Leave Some Elbow Room

One of the most common laundry mistakes is overloading the washer, which
prevents proper cleaning and is tough on fabrics because it creates too much friction. “This wears clothes out prematurely,” warns Pigatto.

Which Soap?

In a recent Consumer Reports test of laundry detergents, Tide was rated best overall, but generic detergents weren’t far behind. Great Value Ultra Mountain Fresh liquid (Wal-Mart), Kirkland Signature Ultra HE (Costco) and Ultra Plus With Fabric Softener HE (Sears) were all rated “very good” by the venerable consumer- watchdog publication.

Inside Out

“If you want to extend the life of your garments, turn them inside out before washing,” says Bock. This diminishes fading, is less abrasive and will keep garments looking new longer.

For Sensitive Types

If you have asthma or allergies, you may need a laundry detergent that is perfume- and dye-free. Ask your dermatologist to recommend a detergent that’s milder on the skin. One good choice: All Free Clear ($4.49 to $5.49
for 100 oz.).

Sabotage Stains

Pretreat stains as early as possible. Always carry a travel-size stain treatment so you’re ready for immediate rescue operations. Stain removers now come in pen and wipe forms, such as Shout Wipes Plus, $3.49 for 12 wipes, which are individually packaged like moist towelettes; they take up almost no room in your purse or your car’s glove compartment. And keep a bottle of stain treatment next to your hamper to work on mishaps before you toss in dirty clothes.