If your everyday laundry could use some TLC, we're here to lighten the load. Everyday items are made of cotton, linen, or durable synthetics and are most commonly the socks, underwear, T-shirts, khakis, button-down shirts, and bedding in your laundry pile. Read on to learn how to brighten whites and preserve color while effectively removing stains and odor.

 GATHER THESE TOOLS:

Stain Solution, All-Purpose Bleach Alternative, Stain Brush, Signature Detergent, Fabric Fresh Classic, Wash & Stain Bar, Scented Vinegar, Ironing Water, Stiffen Up

STEP 1:
Sort

Sort laundry before washing, keeping like colors together. Sort any patterned items based on the dominant color. If no single color is dominant, take your pick of piles.

Look out for vibrantly colored items! If you are washing a vibrant garment or patterned item for the first time, test for color bleeding.

STEP 2:
Pretreat

Pretreat stains with Stain Solution or the Wash & Stain Bar. Focus on susceptible areas such as underarms, necklines, and cuffs.

Stain Solution is ideal for protein and tannin stains, such as wine, coffee, ink, grass, urine, blood, and old, set-in stains such as pit stains. The Wash & Stain Bar removes stains such as dirt, grease, oil, makeup, and ring around the collar.

Treat pit stains and other stubborn, set-in stains by creating a paste using the Stain Solution and All-Purpose Bleach Alternative and applying directly onto the affected area. Work the paste into the fabric using your finger or the Stain Brush.

To remove odor, presoak the item for 30 minutes in cool water mixed with ¼ cup of Scented Vinegar.

STEP 3:
Machine Wash

Wash with like colors and materials only. We recommend washing sheets and towels separately from clothing.

Add Signature Detergent according to the machine type and load size.

Eliminate static, prevent wrinkles, ease ironing, and keep clothing soft with Fabric Conditioner Classic. It is best used with every other wash.

To maintain whiteness and brightness, add 1 capful of All-Purpose Bleach Alternative to each load in the wash cycle and be sure to use hot water to activate.

We recommend adjusting the water temperature and cycle setting for the level of cleaning required (dirtiness) and size of the wash load. For example, white sheets and towels are best laundered with hot water and a long wash cycle, while everyday colors can be laundered using a normal cycle with warm or cold water.

STEP 4:
Dry & Finish

Select the appropriate temperature according to the fabric content of your load. Cotton, towels, and linens can withstand tumble drying with high heat. For most other fabrics, use medium/low heat or line dry. To ease ironing, remove items from the dryer while still damp or line dry.

For the ultimate fragrant finish, use Ironing Water while steaming or ironing.

Spray with Stiffen Up when ironing for a crisp finish and added wrinkle and stain resistance.

To freshen between launderings, spritz with Fabric Fresh Classic.