6 steps to cleaner clothes

Even a primo detergent can't make up for poor technique. For your best load:

Pretreat heavy stains

Try straight liquid detergent on the stain or soak the item in a solution of detergent and water. Then squeeze out the item before washing it.

Highlight fill lines

Use a permanent marker on hard-to-read measuring cups. And stick to the recommended amount of detergent.

Keep it sorted

We don't mean just light and dark clothing. Also keep towels, sweatshirts, and other items that shed lint away from sheets and other smooth fabrics that tend to pill.

Don't overload

Conventional top-loaders hold about 6 to 16 pounds of laundry; high-efficiency top- and front-loaders hold up to 20 pounds. Check the manual or manufacturer site for your model. Overstuffing reduces effectiveness.

Use the right amount

Halving the suggested dosage of detergent barely affected cleaning in regular top-loaders but reduced performance in front-loaders in our limited testing. While doubling the dose boosted cleaning in both types of machines, it may cause sudsing or leave detergent on your laundry.

Time it right

For top-loaders, add detergent as the washer fills so that it can fully dissolve—then add laundry. Follow the instructions on when to add bleach or fabric softener. And if you use a liquid fabric softener, add it at the final rinse.