Laundry - Best Practices

Long ago, mom explained the laundry basics. However, with an expanding wardrobe, new laundry cycles, and conflicting fabric advice from your mother-in-law, your head may be spinning faster than your wash cycle. To help consumers get the most out of their laundry rooms - and their clothes - experts from the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science, the online hub for everything laundry, offer the following tips: Choose the Correct Temperature for the Color. Hot water is best to keep white loads bright, while you should set the washer to warm for a load of colors. To prevent dark fabrics from fading, use the cold water cycle. Select the Appropriate Additives. Base your additive (such as bleach or fabric softener) selection on your detergent. If you use power detergent, add a power additive. Liquid additives should be used with liquid detergent. Utilize the Tools and Features on Your Washing Machine. To save time in the laundry room, adjust your washing machine according to the soil level and size of the load. For increased water efficiency, high efficiency machines have sensors that regulate the amount of water based on the load size. Find the Appropriate Treatment for Stains. To ensure proper stain removal, first test a treatment. Apply the product and let it stand 2-5 minutes, then rinse. If the color changes, do not use that particular treatment. Always test on an inside seam or other hidden part of the garment.