According to Women's Day magazine, the average family goes through about 400 loads of laundry a year. To help you complete this chore faster, cheaper and more efficiently, follow these six simple steps. Dot the spots. Although it's best to try and remove stains the second they happen, we all know the occasional spot will make its way into your laundry room. Keep a stain remover handy and make sure to inspect and treat your clothes before every load. Check your detergent. Make sure you are using the proper detergent for your washing-machine (i.e. high-efficiency machines require less detergent). Measure precisely. Using too much detergent doesn't necessarily get clothes cleaner. Often times, using too much detergent leaves clothes sticky and stiff. Divide and conquer. Separating clothes into lights and darks, as well as flipping clothes inside out, is important because it preserves the color and quality. Clean by degrees. A common misconception is that clothes must be washed in hot wate
