Sort your laundry and divide cotton clothing from other fabrics. Then divide fine cottons such as linen and lingerie from heavy jeans and sweatshirts. Additionally, separate cotton garments into whites, bright colors and dark colors to prevent dark fabric dyes from bleeding onto lighter fabrics.

Inspect cotton garments and treat stains using a liquid, gel, stick or aerosol prewash stain remover while the spots are fresh. Washing and drying stained clothing may set in the stains and make them impossible to remove.

Soak badly soiled garments in an oxygenated bleach, using warm water to prevent fading the dyes. Fill the washing machine with water and then add one scoop of oxygenated bleach. Add the soiled garment when the powder dissolves and soak the garment for 30 minutes. Read the label on the oxygenated bleach because directions may vary depending on the brand.

Turn cotton garments inside out before laundering to preserve the brightness of the colors. Protect delicate garments such as lacy lingerie by placing them in a cotton pillowcase.

Refer to the garment care tag and then set the washer on the lowest temperature appropriate for the garment. Hot water may fade the dyes. Use a gentle or delicate cycle for fine fabrics.

Place cotton garments in a clothes dryer if indicated on the garment-care tag. Remove the garment as soon as it's dry to reduce wrinkles. If the tag indicates the garment should be air-dried, hang the garment on a rustproof hanger.

Iron cotton garments while the fabric is still slightly damp. Avoid excessive drying, which sets in wrinkles and may shrink certain cottons.