Cleaning Explained

Stain removal, smells and cleaning, with the reason each method works

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Laundry problems solved

Most laundry problems come from heat, chemistry or buildup: a hot dryer that sets a stain, too much detergent that leaves residue and smells, chlorine bleach on the wrong fiber. Start with the care label, then find your problem below.

Mother and daughter sorting and folding laundry on the floor of a sunny living room

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Laundry problems

  • How to fix bleach stains on clothes

    You can't wash out a bleach stain on clothes, because it isn't a stain: chlorine bleach destroys the dye, so the color is gone, not covered.

  • How to get dye transfer out of clothes

    To get dye transfer out of clothes, keep them out of the dryer and rewash them right away with a heavy-duty liquid detergent in the warmest water the label allows.

  • How to remove laundry detergent stains from clothes

    To remove laundry detergent stains, rewash the item with no extra product so the leftover detergent dissolves and rinses out.

  • How to get fabric softener stains out of clothes

    To get fabric softener stains out of clothes, dampen the spot and rub it with a bar of plain soap or liquid detergent, then wash in the warmest water the label allows, with no softener this time.

  • How to wash cotton without shrinking or fading it

    Wash cotton by sorting it by color, then use the hottest water the label allows for whites and heavily soiled items and cooler water for colors, with the recommended amount of detergent.

  • How to wash jeans so they don't fade or shrink

    Wash jeans inside out in cold water on a short cycle, with zippers and buttons closed, then air-dry them or tumble on low and take them out promptly.

  • How to wash linen clothes and bedding

    Wash linen with like colors in warm or cool water on a gentle or normal cycle, in a load with room to move, then tumble on low and take it out while slightly damp, or line-dry.

  • How to wash polyester and other synthetics

    Wash polyester inside out in warm water with a full dose of detergent, after pretreating any oily or sweaty spots, then dry it on low or permanent press and take it out promptly, or hang it.

  • How to wash silk by hand without ruining it

    Wash silk only if the label allows it: hand wash it in cool to lukewarm water with a mild detergent, rinse well, press the water out in a towel without wringing, and dry it flat or hanging out of the sun.

  • How to wash wool without shrinking or felting it

    Wash wool by hand in lukewarm water (about 86°F) with a mild, neutral wool detergent, or on the machine's wool cycle only if the label says machine washable.

  • How to get the smell out of towels

    To get the smell out of towels, wash them in the hottest water the label allows with the right amount of detergent and a fabric-safe bleach: chlorine for white cotton, oxygen bleach for colors.

  • What temperature to wash clothes: hot, warm or cold

    Wash clothes at the warmest temperature the care label allows that the fabric and colors can handle: hot (about 120 to 140°F) for whites, towels, bedding and heavily soiled cotton; warm (about 90 to 105°F) for everyday colorfast loads and synthetics; cold (about 65 to 85°F) for darks, brights, delicates and anything with a blood or sweat stain.

  • How to whiten yellowed clothes

    To whiten yellowed clothes, wash them in the hottest water the fabric allows with extra detergent plus an enzyme product, detergent booster or fabric-safe bleach.