7 ways to improve your laundry game

When laundry day dawns (dun dun dun), most of us know the basics—wash, dry, fold. But to graduate to a laundry doer that would make even Martha Stewart raise her hand-painted English teacup in your honor, you’ll need to do a little more than that. Here are seven tips that will strengthen your laundry skills.

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First, prepare your clothes to be washed

A step often skipped is one that can save you a lot of hassle, heartbreak, and a few damp sock bundles. Before upturning your hamper, zip your zippers, close all snaps and hooks, remove any buckles or pins, and close any Velcro to avoid snags. Check and empty pockets, unfurl socks, and unroll sleeves and cuffs. But remember, don’t button buttons—this can lead to stress on both buttons and buttonholes.

Pretreat any stains on fabrics

The best way to get rid of stains is to take care of them before they set. Scoop up solids and blot (don’t wipe!) liquids from behind the fabric, removing as much of the surface stain as possible. Each stain is unique, so double check the treating procedure and perform it before washing. Just make sure stains have been removed before the dryer—heat immortalizes them.

Make your own laundry detergent

Trade the extra chemicals, toxins, or dyes that come with store-brought detergent for a natural one that’s cheaper, better for the environment, and works just as well. One recipe calls for ½ cup baking soda, ½ cup citric acid, one cup washing soda, ¼ cup of coarse sea salt, and one grated bar of glycerin soap. Mix ingredients and store in an airtight container, using one to two tablespoons per load, depending on size.

One setting does not wash all

The type of clothes you’re washing (this implying that you are indeed separating by color, fabric, and delicateness), dictates what setting will best wash your clothes and ensure they’re cared for properly. The regular cycle is best for sturdy, dirty clothes and permanent press is well suited for average loads. The delicate cycle works for lacy or loosely woven fabrics. Most importantly: use hot water for whites, warm for the average load, and cold for bright colors.

Taking on towels

It’s best to wash towels every 3-4 days. White towels are best washed with non-chlorine bleach on the hottest setting. Avoid using fabric softeners, which can actually stiffen towels over time. To make towels more absorbent, wash them twice in hot water—once with a cup of vinegar and again with a half cup of baking soda. This strips away the residue build-up that causes stink and makes them as absorbent as possible.

Timed dry is not the only way to dry

Other than setting the dryer for an hour and forgetting the dryer for an hour, check and see if your machine has an “electronic’’ or “automatic dry’’ setting, which will let you choose just how dry you want your clothes. Use the air fluff setting to freshen pillows or give new life to clothes coming from a suitcase—without heat. Permanent press has a cool down setting to prevent wrinkling. Plus, old-fashioned air-drying is a surefire way to keep your clothes from shrinking.

Know when to wash and when to dry clean

As much we don’t like to admit it, we can’t do everything ourselves. Some fabrics and garments just need (and truly deserve) the care of a professional. Clothing embellished with beading, fur, or sequins, as well as leather and suede garments, should be handled professionally. Also, any heavily soiled items, especially those with oil-based stains, should be dry-cleaned with special solutions.

This content was produced by Boston Globe Media in collaboration with the advertiser. The editorial department of Boston.com had no role in its production or display.