Laundry How-Tos

Learn how to wash every item in your closet—plus shoes, bedding, towels, and more—with our comprehensive collection of expert guides and step-by-step instructions for doing laundry.

Woman hanging washing on the line
11 DIY Clothesline Ideas
Made bed with white sheets folded and pillows with white covers
Keep Your White Sheets Dazzling White
New bedsheets folded on top of made bed next to basket of laundry cleaning materials
Should You Wash New Sheets Before Using Them?
Floral patterned bedsheet made with hospital corners and cat laying down
How to Make Hospital Corners on Your Bed
White leather van shoes being cleaned with melamine sponge
Keep Your White Vans—Canvas, Leather, and Suede—Looking Great
laundry items in a basket
5 Laundry Products You Should Have on Your Shelf
Someone folding a down comforter
How Clean and Care for a Heavy Comforter
White button-down shrunken shirt hanging on drying rack
If the Perfect Shirt Is Too Big, You Can Attempt to Shrink It
White clothing inside tub with laundry stripping solution
Should You Strip Your Laundry? Learn Why and How
folded white towels
Scratchy Towels? Learn How to Soften Them
beach towel by the pool
How to Wash Beach Towels the Right Way
person cleaning suede slippers
Keep Your Favorite Slippers Clean and Fresh
Two sewn face masks laying on a table
How to Sew a Basic Face Mask
sorting lights and darks before washing
Are You Sorting Your Dirty Laundry Correctly?
using baking soda in laundry
5 Reasons to Keep Baking Soda in Your Laundry Room
American flag hanging from pole in front of house porch
Proudly Fly a Bright and Clean American Flag
Pillows without sheets stacked on each other on top of bed
How to Clean All Types of Pillows for a Better (Cleaner) Night's Sleep
person dusting a window sill
9 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Dust Mites
weighted blanket in a laundry basket
You'll Sleep Better Under a Clean Weighted Blanket
pairs of shoes and scrub brush
How to Easily Clean 5 Types of Shoes
sneakers by the hamper
How to Protect Your Laundry From Athlete's Foot
baking soda jar next to a laundry basket
Tips for Using Baking Soda in Laundry
different types of laundry detergent
The Best Laundry Detergent: Liquid, Pods, or Powder?
pilling on sweatpants
How to Prevent and Remove Ugly Pilling on Clothes
Someone placing a sweater in a mesh laundry bag
How to Clean and Care for Sweaters
basket of laundry on a mattress
Learn How to Disinfect Laundry for Bacterial and Viral Infections
folded knit clothing
How Can I Stop My Clothes From Shrinking and Stretching?
coffee used in laundry
10 Laundry Rules That Aren't Actually True
bras and a delicates bag
Learn to Wash Women's Clothes Like an Expert
woman spraying perfume
How to Remove Perfume Odors From Clothes
Someone polishing athletic shoes
How to Wash Tennis and Athletic Shoes
Rash guard on a beach towel
Keep Your Swimming Rash Guard Looking Great
laundry detergent alternatives
Help! No Clean Clothes and I'm Out of Laundry Detergent
Baseball caps hanging from a hook
How to Clean and Care for Baseball Caps
Blue and gray baseball uniform next to cleaning ingredients and laundry detergent
How to Clean and Care for Baseball Uniforms
closeup of washing machine dials
Choosing the Correct Water Temperature for Laundry
Someone putting a bathing suit in a sink
How to Clean and Care for a Bathing Suit
A fabric face mask, scissors, and sewing pins
How to Make a Reusable Mask or Face Covering
closeup of an ashtray
How to Remove Cigarette Smells From Clothes & Carpet
White and tan towels folded in bathroom next to houseplant and wicker basket with rolled gray towels
Yes, There Is a Right Way to Fold Towels—Here's How
A table with a white tablecloth and gray chairs
How to Wash Tablecloths and Linens
white residue on clothing
Why Do I Have This White Residue on my Clean Clothes?
dark clothing in a hamper
7 Tips to Prevent Dark Clothes From Fading
container of borax next to a stack of towels
Discover 6 Reasons to Add Borax to Your Wash Loads
person smelling towels
Insider Tips for Removing Musty Towel Odors
Washing machine with clothes
How to Wash Clothes Contaminated From a Flood
laundry basket, tissues, and teddy bear on top of a mattress
Disinfect Laundry Correctly to Prevent Spread of Flu and Viruses
laundry basket of white linens
Help Is Here to Whiten Yellowed Clothes and Linens
dog clothing and toys on a clothesline
Here's How to Wash Your Dog's Sweaters, Collars, and Bedding With Care
hamper of laundry
New Year's Day Laundry Superstitions and Resolutions
White and gray shirt with blue stain next to colored markers and scissors
8 Ways to Hide Stains on Clothes
hydrogen peroxide and white towels
5 Reasons to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Laundry
college laundry room
How to Do Laundry in a College Dorm
Nine types of winter coats hanging up
How to Clean 9 Types of Winter Coats
Homemade quilt folded next to materials and tools for washing
How to Clean and Care for Handmade Quilts
Woven basket with fabrics hanging over with purple stain next to laundry detergent bottle
10 Quick Fixes for Your Worst Laundry Mistakes
water with suds
Hard Water Laundry Problems? Here's What to Do
visible dye bleeding in clothes
Learn How to Set the Color in Clothes and Stop the Bleeding
laundry detergent pods on a towel
Are You Using Single Dose Laundry Pods Correctly?
Latex and memory foam pillows and bedding folded and stacked together
How to Keep Your Latex and Memory Foam Bed Pillows Clean and Fresh
Someone washing a crochet blanket
How to Clean and Care for Crochet Blankets & Clothing
A colorful quilt hanging on a clothesline
How to Clean and Care for Vintage Quilts
A hand-knit hat and a ball of yarn
How to Wash Hand-Knit Clothes and Blankets
Woman putting dirty clothing into a front-loading washing machine.
Try These Top 10 Tips for Laundry Success