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Use a quality washer and dryer; use the right detergent and other cleaners; create an efficient laundry-day pattern.

Begin with the best washer and dryer you can afford. Washing clothes is a necessary household duty, and using old machines without energy efficient features puts you at a disadvantage from the start.

For washing machines, most front loaders perform better and are more water/gas/electric-efficient than top loaders, but they cost more initially. (Consumer Reports, June 2007) Top-loaders have shorter washing times, but they are usually not as good at washing, either.

Newer washers offer automatic dispensing of detergent, bleach, and fabric softeners at the right times. Most automatically give the correct water temperature for the fabric selection. Front-loaders automatically correct water levels for the load weight or size. Some front loaders allow mold to build up in leftover water in the door; leave the door open slightly to avoid this.

Dryers should have an automatic moisture sensor for degree of dryness so clothing is not over-dried. If the washer did a good spin out, the dryer works less hard to finish drying, and it should buzz you when it's finished so you can unload before wrinkles set. (Don't over-do; the extra spin cycle doesn't add much to the process, according to Consumer Reports magazine.)

CR magazine also recommends not matching washers and dryers if you wish to save money; buy the best of each. And CR rarely recommends buying extended warranties; they simply do not prove their worth.

DETERGENTS

Using the right detergent gives another advantage to creating a clean wash. Front loaders use less water and require a less sudsing detergent, called high-efficiency (HE) detergents. Some products are much better at preventing dye transfer.

There is not much cleaning difference between liquids and powders, but there are differences between brands. Also, the cutesy products like dissolving detergent balls and pre-measured packets of gel detergents did not perform well in laundry tests.

Top-rated HE detergents include SA8 with Bioquest (from Quixtar.com, formerly Amway, only available online) at 68 cents per load; Gain HE, and Tide Free (HE). Costco's product, at 12 cents per load, "Kirkland Signature," is marked a Best Buy. (Consumer Reports, Jan. 2007)

For conventional detergents, the seven top-rated include four Tide products (24 to 35 cents per load), Wisk, Arm and Hammer, and a "best buy" with Wal-Mart's "Great Value" at 12 cents

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