It takes a hefty investment in clothes to keep you and your family looking great, and who wouldn't mind keeping those garments looking like new? A few steps taken during the wash and dry cycles can keep your clothes looking great for years -- and all with the help of your washer and dryer.

Washers will generally have at least two cycles, a long regular cycle with a full spin - for the whites, jeans or a towel/linen load. And a shorter cycle with a low spin especially for permanent press fabrics such as dress clothing and t-shirts.

A delicate cycle is shorter and with less agitation and is ideal for dress clothing and sweaters. Presoak options are terrific for reducing the need to rewash items that are heavily soiled, and this feature will usually proceed into the wash cycle.

Dryers usually have a long timed cycle for heavier loads, and a shorter cycle that has lower heat and a cooling down period. The cool-down period reduces the presence of wrinkles and is ideal for clothing that has a polyester content, or for lighter fabrics.

The lint filter should be cleaned prior to drying all loads for both safe and efficient drying. Also, do not overload the dryer. Doing so will result in a longer drying time and causing the dryer to overwork.

Basic Laundry Tips

• Washing whites in hot water and the rest in cold water, will save energy and still result in a clean wash.
• Too high a drying heat will cause permanent wrinkles to set in knit clothing. Use the permanent press lower temperature with the cool down period, or hang to dry for best results.
• Use liquid detergents for cold water washes; powders will not dissolve well and will leave a white residue on dark clothes.
• If someone in your household has an allergy to soap, either add another clear rinse to remove any soap from the wash, or rewash the entire load in cold water without detergent.
• Fold clothing immediately when the dryer cycle ends; it will reduce wrinkles.
• Too much bleach in your wash will turn some white fabrics to yellow.
• Dryer timed cycles may possibly be reduced. Experiment to reduce uneccessary drying time; you may only need 15 minutes and not 30 to dry your load.