By taking a few simple steps, you can make your wardrobe look better and last longer.

• Fill the machine with large and small items mixed loosely. Clothes get cleaner when they don’t rattle around in a nearly empty drum.

• Be careful not to overfill the machine—when the washer is crammed it won’t remove dirt as effectively, and clothes can get twisted and damaged.

• Place lingerie in protective mesh bags, then air-dry. For cotton and acrylic knits, use a sweater bag to reduce pilling.

• To keep new, dark clothing from fading, add a cup of table salt to the rinse cycle to set the color the first time you launder.