Six common mistakes you make when washing your clothes

[...] it might be time to dump some of Mom or Dad's outdated laundry habits. "Technology has come a long way since our mothers started doing laundry," says Provateare, a product development manager at Nehemiah Manufacturing, a Cincinnati-based consumer-goods company. Many people just sort by color, especially if they plan to wash everything in cold water. The dirt ends up on the rest of your clothes, making them dingy. Study the detergent box, bottle or cap to make sure you are adding the recommended amount. Consumers often select cold water since it's a less risky choice: [...] cold water is not always best and may not be getting clothes clean or odors out. A good rule is to use the warmest temperature your garment can handle, because, in general, you are going to get clothes cleaner in warmer water. If you spill ketchup on your shirt, immediately put a cloth or paper towel behind the stain and rub with your pen. If you fail to do this, chemicals could come in contact with your skin and cause irritation or contact dermatitis.