How do you prepare laundry?

Preparing laundry involves a series of essential steps to ensure clothes are washed effectively and safely. Based on the provided reference, the process begins with sorting and selecting the correct settings before loading the washing machine.

Steps to Prepare Laundry

Getting your clothes ready for washing is a straightforward process when you follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Separate Clothes. Begin by separating the clothes you need to wash into categories. Common categories include lights, darks, delicates, and heavily soiled items. Sorting helps prevent colors from bleeding and allows you to use appropriate washing cycles and temperatures for different fabric types.
2. Step 2: Select Water Temperature. Choose the appropriate water temperature for your load. Hot water is best for whites and heavily soiled items, warm water works well for colors and synthetics, and cold water is ideal for dark colors, delicates, and items that might shrink or fade.
3. Step 3: Select Load Size. Determine the size of your laundry load (e.g., small, medium, large) and select the corresponding setting on your washing machine. This ensures the machine uses the correct amount of water.
4. Step 4: Select Load Type. Choose the wash cycle that is best suited for the type of fabric you are washing (e.g., normal, permanent press, delicate). The load type setting controls the agitation speed and spin cycle to protect your clothes.
5. Step 5: Start the Washer. Initiate the washing cycle. This typically involves pressing the start button after selecting the settings.
6. Step 6: Add Detergent. Once the washer has started or reached the appropriate point in the cycle (check your machine's instructions), add the laundry detergent. The amount needed depends on the load size, water hardness, and detergent type.
7. Step 7: Add Clothes to Washer. Place the sorted clothes into the washing drum after the machine has begun filling with water (unless your machine is designed for adding clothes before starting). Avoid overloading the machine, as this can prevent clothes from getting clean.
8. Step 8: Add Fabric Softener (Optional). If desired, add fabric softener to the designated dispenser in your washing machine. This is typically added during the rinse cycle to help soften fabrics and reduce static cling.

Following these steps helps ensure your laundry is prepared correctly for an effective wash cycle.