How to Do Laundry, From Start to Finish

Even if you've been doing your laundry for years, it's still easy to mess up this household chore. Not only does knowing how to do your laundry help prevent common pitfalls—like shrinking your favorite sweater or turning white clothes pink—it also ensures your garments get a proper deep clean.

But with so many things to consider—sorting, choosing a cycle, selecting a temperature, etc.—doing laundry can feel more overwhelming than it actually is. To help, we're sharing a step-by-step, expert-approved guide to doing laundry. Whether you're a novice or a self-proclaimed laundry expert, there is something here that everyone can benefit from.

1. Read the Label

Always read the labels on your clothing and linens before washing them, as this will tell you a lot about how they need to be cleaned. "Different fabrics and fabric blends need to be laundered appropriately to avoid discoloration, shrinking, fading, and damage to fabrics and the garment," Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean. "Clothing manufacturers list the best way to clean the garment based on their testing."

Any items with care tags that are labeled "hand-wash" (wash basin with a hand symbol) or "do not wash" (wash basin with an X symbol) should be placed in a separate pile to prevent the chances of washing them accidentally. Clothing that is dry clean only will have the "do not wash" symbol on the care tag.

2. Sort Your Laundry

For best results, always sort your laundry according to color and material to ensure everything is washed properly and to prevent damage, says Sokolowski. She recommends keeping the following things in mind when sorting your clothes and linens:

• Whites and lights: Wash your white and light-colored clothes together to keep your whites bright and prevent the colors from darker clothes from transferring.
• Darks: Wash dark-colored clothes together to prevent them from bleeding onto lighter clothes.
• Delicates: Clothes made of delicate fabrics, such as silk, wool, or lace, should be washed together, usually on a gentle cycle.
• Towels and linens: Wash towels and linens together, as these items usually require washing at a higher temperature to kill bacteria.
• Stained clothes: Stained clothes need to be pre-treated prior to washing; therefore, it’s beneficial to separate clothes with stains and dirt from the rest of your load.
• Sort based on fabric: Go the extra mile and sort clothes based on their fabric type, as they typically have similar washing and drying needs.

3. Pre-Treat Stains

Pre-treat any stains before washing your clothes for a deeper, more thorough clean. "Pre-treating the stains helps to remove the stains effectively and prevents them from setting into the fabric," says Sokolowski.

When pre-treating, it’s important to act quickly to enhance your chances of getting rid of the stain. "You can pre-treat the stains with a natural solution like a mixture of baking soda and water, or a bit of white vinegar applied directly on the stain before washing," says Sokolowski. Let the stain sit for a while before washing.

4. Choose a Laundry Detergent

The laundry detergent you choose is dependent on the type of washer you have. For example, if you have a high-efficiency washing machine, you should get a detergent that is marked with the 'HE' symbol, says Sokolowski.

Also, check the detergent for any potential irritants. "If you’re suffering from skin sensitivities, consider getting natural, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free detergent," says Sokolowski. She recommends using an enzyme-based detergents because they effectively break down tough stains and are also safe for the environment as they biodegrade naturally.

Whatever type of detergent you choose, avoid using too much of it. "Too much detergent actually makes your clothes dirtier since the dirt and oils bind to the soap," says Jennifer Parnell, co-founder of Humble Suds. "If you use too much, it may not rinse from your clothes and can leave a smelly residue."

5. Choose a Water Temperature

Before loading your laundry, choose a water temperature. Always check the care tag on your garments before selecting a water temperature, but here are some general guidelines to follow, according to Sokolowski.

• Cold water: Cold water is best for dark colors and delicate fabrics, as it prevents shrinking and color bleeding.
• Warm water: Warm water is suitable for most clothing, especially synthetics and blended materials.
• Hot water: Hot water is best for white clothes, towels, and heavily soiled items, as it can sanitize, kill bacteria, and remove stains.

6. Choose a Cycle

Another decision you'll have to make before washing your clothes is what cycle you should use. These are the most common cycles you'll encounter, but they will vary from machine to machine.

• Regular: Best for most loads and clothes that don't need regular special treatment, like cotton shirts, socks, linens, and towels. It is a vigorous cycle with high agitation and a long cycle, says Parnell.
• Permanent press: Designed to minimize wrinkles through a combination of warm water during the wash phase and cold water during the rinse phase. This cycle is best for garments that are easily wrinkled, such as linen and cotton, says Parnell.
• Delicate: Best for delicate fabrics like silk, lace, and wool to prevent damage. The cycle is designed to replicate hand washing through low agitation or slow spin, says Parnell.
• Heavy duty: Use this cycle for study materials that can handle heavy agitation or need deeper cleaning, like jeans or heavily stained garments.

7. Wash Your Clothes

Once you've chosen a water temperature and cycle, you can load your washing machine. "Avoid overloading the washer to ensure clothes get cleaned properly and reduce wear and tear," says Sokolowski. "Make sure to load clothes evenly around the drum to prevent imbalances. It’s also good practice to double-check the pockets and remove any items to avoid damaging the washer or clothes." Run full loads whenever possible to cut down on water and energy usage.

8. Sort Clothes for Drying

Once the cycle is complete, remove your items from the washing machine. Do a double check of the care tags and separate garments that need to be air dried, like athletic wear. "Separate heavy items from lightweight ones to ensure even drying and prevent over-drying," says Sokolowski. "We also recommend drying similar fabrics together to ensure even drying."

You can also opt to air dry your garments rather than machine drying them. "The high heat from dryers can cause irreparable damage to some fabrics over time," says Sokolowski. "Line drying is gentler and more economical." Note: line drying can cause fading. To prevent this, turn your clothes inside out.

9. Dry Your Clothes

After separating your clothes, load your dryer. Add in a few wool dryer balls to help clothes dry faster and reduce static cling. These are the common drying cycles and their meanings, according to Parnell.

• Fluff: Room temperature air is used in this cycle to freshen items that may be damaged by heat, like comforters, pillows, sweaters, down jackets, or wool garments.
• Delicate: Best for delicate fabrics like lingerie, silk, or items with embroidery or accessories. The heat is low and the cycle is long.
• Permanent press: This cycle is designed to release wrinkles and minimize the creation of new ones. It uses medium heat, which is gentler on clothes, followed by a cool-down cycle.
• Regular: This is the highest heat setting and should be reserved for sturdy fabrics that can withstand high temperatures.
• Steam: This cycle uses steam to reduce or remove wrinkles. The steam can also remove odors and sanitize by killing bacteria. 

10. Fold and Put Away Clothes

The final step of successfully doing your laundry is putting it away. Once everything is dry, hang or fold your clothes and linens and put them back in their designated areas.