
About 2,900 home dryer fires happen in the US each year. Most come from blocked airflow or flammable residue. Here is how to prevent both.

Too much soap means suds that won't rinse out and residue on your clothes. The fix we use at the laundromat: a cup or two of fabric softener.

Overfill the washer and clothes can't tumble; overfill the dryer and they take twice as long. Here is how full each machine should be for the best clean.

Toploader or frontloader? We compare soaking, water use, agitation, cost and reliability, from people who run both kinds of washer every day.

Treat stains fast, blot instead of rubbing, and match the product to the stain. A laundromat pro's guide to baking soda, vinegar, peroxide, Dawn and more.