"Overuse or underuse of detergent can leave fabrics gray and dingy," explains Forte. That's because suds cushion fabrics and ...

Until recently bleaching laundry seemed pretty straightforward: white towels, bed linens, and cotton clothing were a no-brainer. As for anything else, well, that's what garment care labels are for.

Chlorine bleach is easy to use, but mistakes can be fatal to your favorite clothes. So we asked Linda Cobb, author of “Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean” (Pocket Books), to tell us everything we ...