Bleach alternatives: If weather and real estate permit, consider doing what the Portuguese and most other cultures do traditionally; hang your whites out in the midday sun. They'll usually end up sparkly clean with a wonderful, fresh-air smell. Air drying is also less harsh on clothes than tumbling around in a dryer.

2torial #0454: Learn2 Wash, Dry and Fold Your Laundry (Continued) Wash special clothes by hand Wash reds or any new, colored garments by themselves for the first time. They can bleed and stain the other clothes in the same wash. Or you can simply dip them in almost-hot water in a sink to see if they bleed. If they don't, they're probably safe to wash with other garments. Step 3