Bottle of Laundry detergent
Liquid, pods or powder, scented or free and clear. Most of us use far more than the load needs.
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Hand wash
1 tsp detergent + a sink of cool waterSwish gently, soak for 10 minutes and rinse until the water runs clear.
Gym clothes
Inside out, cold washSkip fabric softener. It traps smells in sports fabric.
Fresh washer
Leave the door open after a washThe drum and the rubber seal dry out between loads, so they stay fresh.
How to · With laundry detergent
Treat a stain fast
Steps
- 1Blot up as much as you can with a clean white cloth. Don't rub, which pushes the stain deeper.
- 2Rinse from the back of the fabric with cold water, so the stain goes out the way it came in.
- 3Work a drop of liquid detergent into the spot with a finger or a soft brush. For grease, use a drop of dish soap instead. Leave it for 10 minutes.
- 4Wash as the care label says, then check the spot before drying. Heat sets stains, so if it's still there, treat it again.
HE for most washers
Most modern washers are high-efficiency. Look for the HE symbol so the machine doesn't fill with suds.
Less than the cap
Measure to the line for a normal load. Too much leaves residue and makes clothes stiff.
Free and clear
No dyes or perfume. Better for sensitive skin, babies and anyone with allergies.