The End-All-Be-All, Definitive Guide to Doing LAUNDRY

A truism of modern housekeeping: The laundry is never done. And to pile on (pun intended), certain items might require pretreatment, special care, and maybe even a mysterious washer setting. If you feel like you're perpetually tackling the job as if your clothes were on the line (they kinda are), this comprehensive manual will help you take a load off.

- LESLIE CORONA

Sort It All Out

At the very least, separate whites, lights, and darks. Even if dyes don't bleed dramatically, mixing colors can turn lighter clothes a muddier shade, says Melissa Maker, founder of the Toronto-based cleaning company Make My Space. If you want to go the extra mile, also avoid combining fabric types, which can cause pilling. A bit more on what belongs with what:

• Ideally, all things denim get their own load.

• Activewear goes with other lightweight items because it dries quickly.

• Bedding and towels can get washed together. Use wool dryer balls (see page 155) and untangle as needed before drying.

• Sort striped clothes according to the lighter shade. So a black-and-white shirt belongs with whites.

• Gray is in a bit of a gray zone: It could go with lights if it's not a deep shade, but it's usually pretty forgiving if it makes its way into the dark pile by accident.

Treat Those Stains

Address stains ASAP, and don't machine dry an item until they're gone-heat can set them for good! Zach Pozniak, vice president of Jeeves of Belgravia, a dry-cleaning service in New York City, shares fixes for three common ones.

MAKEUP

Forget the hacks, Pozniak says. A quality stain remover (see page 155) and a little time-at least overnight-are what you need here. "Keep a stain remover by the hamper so you can hit stains before tossing items in," he says. This gives the solution a chance to really sink in until laundry day. In fact, do this for most stains!

OIL SPOTS

Rub a drop of dish soap into the spot, then let it sit. Check the garment under different lighting once it's out of the washing machine. If the stain remains, add more dish soap and rewash.

UNDERARM STAINS