1. Sort laundry by color and fabric types.

2. Separate dress shirts from knits to prevent the shirts from picking up lints from the other clothes.

3. Wash dress and pants separately.

4. Always pretreat stains. Never rub the treatment into the fabric, since it will spread the spot and can cause harm to the fabric. Instead use a laundry blotter and blot the spots you are treating.

5. Turn clothes right side out before washing.

6. Always measure the detergent to match the size and needs of the laundry. Heavily soiled clothes may require a little more detergent while a small load of clothes may need less detergent.

7. Whites should wash a little longer than colors.

8. Shake out clothes before putting them in the dryer. This helps prevent wrinkles and helps them dry faster.

9. You can also use a fabric conditioner.

Source: DIY.net