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Three steps to better laundry

Work through these in order, or jump to the one that matches what is going wrong. Each step links to a tool and a guide.

Step 1. Protect what you own

Know what each garment can take before you change anything else. Learn the symbols on the label, and know what to do in the first minutes after a stain.

• Care label symbol guide
• Stain first-response checklist
• What to do first when you get a stain
• Making clothes last longer in the wash

Step 2. Fix the routine

If laundry piles up, count your loads first and then choose a system that fits your household. Decide what goes in the dryer and what does not.

• Weekly laundry load planner
• Laundry system guide
• Organizing laundry so it does not pile up
• Clothes that should never go in the dryer

Step 3. Look after the machines

Clean lint and a dry, clean washer prevent most odor and drying problems, and the dryer routine is also a fire-safety matter.

• Washer and dryer maintenance checklist
• Detergent supply calculator
• Why clothes still smell after washing
• Keeping a washer and dryer working longer

All the tools are on the tools page. The guides are general information for home laundry; the care label on your garment and the manual for your machine always come first.