AARP Smart Guide to Laundry

The dirt on how to clean your clothes like a pro

Jodi Helmer,

AARP

Comments

Published February 20, 2025

a washing machine with bubbles floating out of it

Getty Images (2)

You’ve been doing laundry for decades. The machines are more high tech and some of the products are different — hello, detergent pods — but laundry is laundry. Or is it?

“[Laundry] is completely different,” says Patric Richardson, 52, host of The Laundry Guy on Discovery+ and author of Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore. “The technology and fabric is completely different … manufacturers of laundry products had to keep up [because] laundry has changed in a very significant way.”

It’s not just the appliances and products that have changed, though. As you’ve gotten older, your ability to carry heavy baskets of clothing or wrestle the childproof cap off of the detergent may have changed, too — and if you’ve moved from a house with a washer and dryer to an apartment or independent-living facility with communal washers and dryers, laundry can become a real chore.

But there are some big benefits to doing the wash. Clean clothes are important for personal hygiene, odor control and personal appearance, of course, but laundry is also a form of light exercise, and it requires balance and coordination that are important as you age. Here’s some advice on how to spruce up your laundry routine.

clothes piled outside a washing machine and dryer

Getty Images

GET READY FOR WASH DAY

Sort your clothes

Sorting your laundry before washing it takes extra effort, but it’s worthwhile, according to Richardson. “Sorting is going to make the clothes look better and last longer,” he says. Laundry should be sorted into three separate loads: whites, medium colors, and bright colors and darks. It can also be sorted into more detailed categories, including fabric texture — separating heavier or rough items from delicates to prevent snags, pilling and other damage, adds Kim Romine, fabric care scientist for Procter & Gamble. Romine also suggests sorting heavily soiled clothes into a separate load to avoid making other items dingy. “[It] prevents dirt and grime from transferring and ensures each load gets the appropriate cleaning treatment,” she says.

Set a schedule

Some garments should be washed after every wear, while others can be worn several times before they need to be cleaned. The American Cleaning Institute has a comprehensive list of how often common items should be washed. Generally, socks, underwear and T-shirts should be washed after each wear, while jeans, dress shirts and pajamas can be worn up to three times before washing. “For clothes, it depends on how likely they are to absorb sweat and body oils, which can lead to bacteria growth and odor,” says Jessica Ek, ACI’s associate vice president of strategic communications. “This comes down to the fabric and how close it is worn to the skin.”

Read the labels

Never toss an item in the washing machine or dryer without reading the label. “Reading the care tag instructions and noting the laundry symbols on your clothing is an essential step to ensure that you avoid any damage to your garments,” says Michelle Piombino, principal scientist at Henkel for Purex Laundry. “Care tag labels help you determine the best way to wash your clothes, including the correct temperature, the ideal drying process and more.” Understanding the care labels and laundry symbols on your clothes can help prevent damage and “mishaps” like shrinkage, Piombino adds. Use the symbols to choose a garment’s proper temperature and wash cycle — or to pull it from the hamper and take it to the dry cleaner instead.

Pretreat stains

Whether it’s blood on your favorite jeans or spaghetti sauce on a white T-shirt, don’t wait until laundry day to treat a stain. “When stains set in, they become more difficult to remove,” Romine says. “It’s best if you can wash within a few hours of getting a stain.”

Most high-quality detergents are formulated to remove stains without additional pretreatment, but stubborn stains may require a specialized treatment product, Romine says. To pre-treat a stain, apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent directly onto the stain, taking care to cover the entire stain with detergent; wait about five minutes to allow the detergent to penetrate the stain and then run your item through your regular laundry cycle. This process, she adds, “should make it significantly easier for the stain to come off through the wash.”

Many of the folk remedies to treat stains using household products like baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice aren’t that effective and could damage fabrics. Baking soda, for example, has a high PH that can take a toll on wool, cashmere and silk, while the low PH in vinegar could weaken cotton, linen and other fabrics. If in doubt, opt for cold water.

"Cold water is generally effective for treating stains," Romine says. "In the case of specific stains like blood, using warm or hot water can actually set the stain rather than remove it."

Getty Images

DETERGENTS, BLEACHES AND BEYOND

Pick the right detergent

Powders, liquids, pods, flakes. The sheer number of detergent options can feel daunting — but it shouldn’t. “Pick whichever [form of detergent] you want,” Richardson says.

“Just don't use too much of it,” she adds, because that can cause your clothes to look dingy or feel crunchy. In general, Richardson believes that the recommended amount of detergent on the label is too much, adding, “We’ve made it so much more concentrated; we just don’t need as much anymore.”

Ek has a more nuanced approach. “If your clothes tend to get really dirty, a detergent with multiple surfactants and enzymes can offer a lot of stain-fighting power,” she says. “If you have sensitive skin, a ‘free and gentle’ detergent can be a good choice. If you want a detergent with ingredients that are safer for your family and the planet, then a detergent that has an EPA Safer Choice label can be a good pick. Look for a detergent from a brand you trust that features benefits you value.”

There is one caveat: Never use regular detergent in high-efficiency washing machines. HE machines use less water and regular detergent is too sudsy, which could clog the pump, cause the machine to overheat, or increase the risk of mold and mildew. Using HE detergent could prolong the life of your washing machine.

Consider bleach and whitening agents

There are two main types of bleach — chlorine and non-chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach, which Piombino calls “a great and powerful laundry tool, is ideal for keeping whites looking bright but shouldn't be used on colored clothes. because it can leave bleach spots.

Oxygen bleach, also called color-safe bleach contains sodium percarbonate — an ideal ingredient for washing activewear and other "performance fabrics," as well as items like bras, swimwear and shapewear.

Steer clear of oxygen bleach on silk, wool or other animal-based fabrics because it degrades the fabric. And remember, never mix bleach with other cleaning products, including ammonia, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. It can cause a chemical reaction that produces dangerous gases.

Learn about other laundry products

If detergent gets the job done, do you need fabric softeners and conditioners, scent boosters, color catchers and laundry sanitizers? It depends.

Romine is a fan of using multiple products in her laundry routine: She uses detergent pods for cleaning, fabric softener to keep fabrics soft, rinse aids for odor removal, scent beads for added freshness and dryer sheets for static control. Mixing and matching laundry products in each load, she says, help to “maximize the laundry process to get all of the benefits…in one wash.”

Laundry products can also be time savers. A wrinkle-release spray, for example, is great for removing wrinkles without hauling out the ironing board. Ek notes that these products can “help make the laundry process easier and help your clothes look and smell their best.”

Most Popular

Unlike detergent, these products are add-ons, not essentials. “Whether or not to use the products depends on whether or not you want the added benefits,” Ek adds.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

GET WASHING

Select the right cycle

Your washer has different cycles for a reason, and selecting the right one for each load is important to make sure you’re not doing your laundry all wrong. Different machines have different cycle settings. On some machines, the “normal” cycle is the one to use for cotton or blended fabrics; other manufacturers might call this the “mixed load” setting. These settings use warm water and high-spin speeds - warm and hot water are better at sanitizing your clothes but use more energy. Other common settings include:

Synthetic: Choose this one for clothing made of polyester, nylon and other manmade fabrics.
Delicates: This cycle is great for clothing that needs slower spins for gentle cleaning.
Quick-wash: Pressed for time? The extra-high spin cycle reduces drying time.
Sanitize: A cycle that uses higher temperatures and extended wash times compared to standard wash cycles can kill bed bugs and miteson sheets, pillows and duvet covers. The high temperature can take a toll on fabric colors, so Romine suggests skipping the sanitize cycle if you have any concerns about the item fading.

When in doubt about the best setting to choose, Piombino suggests following the instructions on your clothing’s care tags.

Get the temperature right

A rule of thumb is to wash white clothes in warm or hot water and dark clothes in cold or cool water, according to Piombino. This doesn’t just ensure that your clothes get as clean as possible; it also keeps the colors from fading and prevents stains from setting. Ek advocates for cold water as the default setting, arguing, “It will get your clothes clean as well as helping them last longer, [and] 80 percent of the energy used in washing clothes also goes to heating the water, so washing in cold saves energy and money.”

Don't overload the machine

Correctly loading the washing machine could mean the difference between clean laundry and clothing that is still soiled. “Clothes need a little room to move,” Richardson says. Leave enough space for water to fill the machine and for clothes to tumble. The ideal size of a laundry load depends on the capacity of your machine. A large load would normally weigh around 11 pounds and might include 12 T-shirts, five pairs of pants, three skirts, two sweaters, six pairs of socks and four pairs of underwear.

Correct laundry problems

When you notice powder residue, pilling, shrinking, holes or snags, fabric discoloration, stains or other issues with freshly washed clothes, do some detective work to figure out the cause of your laundry problems and how to solve them. Ek advises pretreating stains or using extra detergent or washing smaller loads if your clothes still aren’t clean after being washed, adding, “If you are consistently not getting good results, it could be an issue with your washing machine, like a clogged drain,” she says. On the other hand, some laundry problems can be fixed by using less detergent, according to ACI.

Using more detergent will create, not solve laundry problems. “It's the worst thing that you [can] do,” Richardson says. In the washing machine, the dirt comes out of your clothes and gets trapped in the surfactant [chemical compound] of the detergent and goes down the drain. When there is too much detergent, it’s hard to rinse out of the clothing so it gets trapped in the fibers — dirt and all. “If you're using too much detergent, you are walking around in your own filth,” Richardson says.

Getty Images

TIME TO DRY

Put clothes in the dryer (or not)

Most of your clothes can safely go from the washing machine to the dryer, but that doesn’t mean all of them can (or should) be dried that way. Machine drying is faster and more convenient than air drying, but the combination of heat and tumbling can take a toll on your clothes.

Know your dryer settings

Your dryer has just as many settings as your washing machine, and knowing which one to use can protect your clothes.

No heat: Sometimes called the “fluff” setting, it’s the one to choose for heat-sensitive fabrics, including rugs and bath mats with rubber backings.
Delicates: Lightweight shirts and pants, athleticwear and other delicate fabrics that need to be dried on a low temperature for a shorter time to prevent shrinking should go in the dryer on the delicate cycle.
Normal/regular: A medium heat cycle that’s ideal for most fabrics. Newer dryers often have sensors and will automatically stop the dryer cycle when the load reaches the optimal dryness level.
More dry/very dry: For sturdy fabrics like denim and towels or bulkier items like comforters may need longer drying times, this medium temperature setting — which can also be called heavy duty or heavy dry—is the best pick.
Permanent press: The cycle was designed for wrinkle-prone fabrics like cotton. It uses medium heat plus a cool down period to reduce wrinkles. It may also be called a casual or wrinkle control cycle.

Dryers are often considered disastrous for bras, athletic wear and other clothing made with spandex because the heat can break down the elastic fibers in those garments. Delicate fabrics like silk and wool, leather and clothing with sequins or other embellishments also won’t fare well in a hot dryer.

Hanging clothes outdoors on a clothesline or indoors on an indoor line or a drying rack is an option for items that shouldn’t be put in the dryer — and it’s better for the environment. “I like hang-drying as many things as I can,” Richardson says. “It's what's best for the clothes.”

Decide whether to use dryer sheets

Richardson has strong opinions on dryer sheets, calling them “chemical-y and yucky.” Using the right amount of detergent can keep clothes feeling soft, and a ball of aluminum foil tossed into the dryer is one option for reducing static.

Wool dryer balls and reusable fabric sheets are other options. The nontoxic, reusable balls can be used with any fabric; they control static, are safe for sensitive skin and may even reduce drying time, making them an environmentally-friendly alternative to disposable fabric sheets.

Another reason to skip the dryer sheets: The residue can build up in your lint screen and reduce or block airflow, leading to increased drying time and a higher risk of a fire. Despite that, there are instances when tossing a fabric softener sheet in the dryer just makes sense, according to Ek. “Dryer sheets can add a pleasant fragrance and help keep clothes lasting longer due to reduced friction in the dryer,” she says.

STORING YOUR CLOTHES

Organize your closet

Getty Images

Don’t leave clean laundry in a pile on a chair. Organize your closet so it’s easier to put clean clothes away; keep clothes that make you feel good; and donate or toss things you never wear. Baskets are ideal for storing socks and underwear, while over-the-door storage can corral hats, gloves, scarves and other accessories — just be sure to choose plastic or mesh organizers so it’s easy to see what’s inside.

When it comes to storing seasonal clothes, Piombino suggests washing items before packing them up. “[It] can reduce the risk of smelly and musty surprises next season,” she says. “Make sure to treat any stains before letting the garments sit for a whole season, wash with your favorite detergent, and make sure that clothes are completely dry before packing them away to help avoid that musty smell.”

Decide whether to hang or fold

The decision to hang an item in the closet or fold it and store it in the dresser often comes down to personal preference. Richardson hangs button-up shirts and other items he doesn’t want to wrinkle, but he’d never hang a sweater or other knit fabric because it’ll stretch out of shape. If you decide to hang your clothing, choose skinny, flocked hangers (they’re the ones covered with soft fabric). Use cloth garment bags for fancy dresses, suits and other items you don’t wear often.

PROFESSIONAL CLEANING HELP

Go to the laundromat

Getty Images/Maskot

There are more than 17,000 laundromats in the U.S. If you have a washer and dryer at home, you might not think about using one, but their commercial machines are ideal for cleaning duvets and other large items that you can’t wash at home, Richardson says. The laundromat also is an obvious solution if there isn’t a washer and dryer in your home.

Worried about using a public washing machine? Don’t be. “Generally, laundromat owners do a really good job [keeping the machines clean and in good working order] because if their machines aren't running, they aren't making money,” Richardson says.

You’ll need coins — most laundromats have change machines — and it’s a good idea to stick around until your clothes are done to prevent theft, but multiple washers and dryers means you can do several loads at once.

Some laundromats offer “fluff and fold” services (there are also companies that will pick up your dirty laundry and deliver it back to you washed, dried and folded). The quality and price of these services “can vary a lot,” Richardson says. They can also be expensive, but they could be a good option if you have mobility issues (or don’t have transportation to get to the laundromat). If you want to test one out, Richardson advises not sending your best clothing until you have an idea of the quality of the service.

Check out a dry cleaner

Dry cleaners are another ubiquitous business, with more than 25,000 locations across the U.S. The dry-cleaning process uses a liquid solvent instead of detergent — and far less water than your washing machine. Compared to a traditional washing machine, dry cleaning has less risk of shrinkage and an improved ability to remove greasy and oily stains — but it isn't perhaps the most environmentally friendly. Perchloroethylene, the synthetic compound used in dry cleaning, has been linked to dizziness, headaches, skin irritation and other health issues and can contaminate drinking water.

Ek recommends taking clothes to the dry cleaner if you’re not able to get a stain out on your own. Delicate fabrics like leather, suede and silk are usually best handled by a dry cleaner, as are garments with a lot of beading or sequins, she adds. Dry cleaning is also the way to go if an item is an heirloom or has a lot of sentimental value. “Having it cared for by a professional can give you peace of mind,” Ek says.

IS YOUR LAUNDRY ROOM UP TO SNUFF?

Set up your laundry room

Getty Images

Whether it’s a dark corner of the basement or a big, bright space on the main floor, your laundry room should be safe and accessible — and it doesn’t hurt if it’s pretty, too. Make sure that detergent, bleach and other heavy laundry items are stored in cabinets that are easy to reach and properly secured to the wall, and consider buying an elevated laundry basket on wheels or a rolling rack for hanging clothes so you’re not carrying heavy loads of laundry. Check out the AARP HomeFit Guide for more useful tips. “If you have a front-loading washer, you can sit in a chair and use it, [and] if you need to raise your washing machine up so it’s easier to [access], you can buy pedestals,” Richardson says.

Practice laundry safety

Laundry products should be safely stored. Keep them out of reach of grandchildren and pets (and steer clear of laundry pods if someone in your home has dementia; there have been several reported deaths among seniors who ingested them). While social media trends promote storing detergents and other laundry items in clear jars so that they look nice, it’s important to keep them in their original packaging, notes Romine. “Original packaging contains important information about dosing and proper usage, so we don’t recommend ‘decanting’ or putting laundry products into their own containers for aesthetic purposes,” she says.

MAINTAINING YOUR APPLIANCES

Take care of the washer

Getty Images/iStockphoto

For starters, make sure the washer is sitting on a level surface. “[A level surface] is necessary for the machine to drain properly and it reduces the chances of your machine moving or vibrating during the spin cycle,” says Richard Handel, senior test project leader at Consumer Reports. It also needs adequate space. Allow at least 4 feet in front for safe loading and unloading, and 6 inches in the back of the unit to allow for power connections and water lines, and to ensure good ventilation. Additionally, you want to make sure that your washer is properly connected to electrical outlets and is grounded (these same guidelines apply for your dryer, too).

Prevent mold and mildew

Mold and mildew might be common problems in washing machines, but prevention is possible. Handel notes that front-loading machines, due to their sealed design, are more prone to mold. “You can reduce the likelihood of mold or mildew buildup by not overdoing the detergent or fabric softener,” he says. “Overdoing can leave a film for the mold or mildew to grow on.” Wipe down the gasket, the door and the detergent dispenser after the last use of the day, and leave the door and dispenser open — but only if there are no small children around, he adds.

Clean the machine

The machine you depend on to clean your clothes also needs to be cleaned. Check your appliance manual for instructions on how often to run the cleaning cycle. The tablets, powders and other washing machine cleaners are made with chemicals that were designed to remove dirt, bacteria, detergent buildup and odor. But it's not enough to toss in a tablet and run the cleaning cycle; it's essential to check the filter, too. The lint trap in a top-loading machine is often inside the drum, but some newer machines don’t have filters at all. In front-loading machines, the filter is often located in the lower corner. To clean it, Handel suggests these steps: open the door, remove the plug from the small hose to drain the residual water, and unscrew the filter. Then, remove any debris from the filter, and rinse the filter in a sink to clean it. Reverse the process to install it.

Maintain the dryer

Do your best to limit dryer lint. Not only will a lint-filled filter make your dryer work less efficiently, driving up energy costs, it’s also a leading cause of house fires. “The lint filter should be cleaned after each use, the dryer duct [the hose that connects the dryer to the wall] should be cleaned periodically and the lint filter holder should be vacuumed,” Handel says. “Specialty tools are made to attach to your vacuum to make the process easier.” You can also call an appliance pro to service your dryer and make sure the ducts are cleaned.

Know when to replace appliances

Your washer and dryer may not last as long as you think. The average lifespan for each appliance is 10 to 13 years. When deciding whether to repair or replace a washer or dryer, Handel suggests comparing the repair cost to the value of the machine: It might be more cost-effective to replace an older machine with a high repair cost, he explains. The Consumer Reports Repair or Replace tool can help you decide. When it’s time to buy a new washer or dryer, think about your specific needs and explore new technology that can make your life easier. You’ll want to compare which type of washer uses more energy and water and which style — top-loading or front-loading — will be easier for you to access and use as you age.

%{postComment}%

Jodi Helmer is a contributing writer who covers gardening, health and the environment. She has also written for Scientific American, National Geographic Traveler and NPR.