Overview: This section of the lesson covers the laundry washing process , including how to:

• Select laundry products,
• Set washing machine controls,
• Add laundry products and clothes,
• Begin the wash cycle.

Select Laundry Products:

Before you can begin to wash your laundry, you must select the appropriate laundry product for the given load. Fortunately for consumers, there are hundreds of laundry products on the market. If you have ever been down the laundry product aisle at the store, you know that you are offered a lot of options in laundry products. Unfortunately, selecting the right product can be confusing.

While the laundry product choices can seem daunting, there are only a few key laundry product categories that are most important. By carefully reading the product care labels to determine which type of laundry product you need and then comparing that information to the laundry product label, you will have no problem determining which type of laundry product to select.

As shown in the example on the left, laundry product labels provide specific instructions on product use including such information as:

• The intended uses of the product,
• How to use the product,
• How much product to use, and
• When to add the product during the wash cycle.

The primary laundry product categories include the following:

Detergent: Detergent is used to clean the laundry. It comes in powder or liquid forms. Both work well and it is a matter of personal preference which type to select. Most detergents are designed for most kinds of fabrics. However, some fabrics require a mild detergent, so look for terms like "mild" or "safe for delicate fabrics" on the label. The important thing is to carefully read the directions on the package prior to use to tell which detergent is right for the items you are washing. The label will also tell you how much product to use for a given load.

Bleach / Stain Remover: When laundry becomes stained or heavily soiled, bleach or another form of stain remover can be used. When used according to the package instructions, these products work well to remove stains. However, proceed with caution when using bleach or other types of stain removers as they can ruin laundry by removing the color in the fabric. Bleach should be added to the water before the laundry is added. Avoid adding the bleach directly onto the laundry or splashing the bleach onto the clothes that you are wearing. That is an unintended way to get faded jeans!

Fabric Softener / Dryer Sheets: Fabric softeners and dryer sheets are used primarily to combat static cling. However, the manufacturers of some products include fragrances or other additives designed to assist in fabric care – for example, to make the fabric resistant to wrinkles. While liquid fabric softeners are used during the wash cycle, a dryer sheet is not. It is used during the dry cycle which we will cover in the next section of this lesson.

Set Washing Machine Controls:

While no two washing machine models are designed the same, most residential washers have controls to set the water level, water temperature and wash cycle settings. Review the settings on your machine and then:

Add Laundry Products and Clothes:

Begin the Wash Cycle: