According to fashion designer Alex Perry and Electrolux fabric care partner, knowing your way around the laundry is the answer to making your favourite clothes last. Whether you are investing in the new season’s wardrobe or caring for your favourite fashion items, here are some expert advice from Alex Perry and Electrolux.

Take the wonder out of bras – most white synthetic lingerie is dyed white, so when you wash it with bleach, the white colour is bleached out and you’re left with a grey-looking rag! To avoid this, wash your white lingerie in detergent for colours that doesn’t contain bleach.

Red lipstick and red wine, no longer the devil – pre-treat lipstick stains with dishwasher liquid and then wash as recommended. Cover red wine stains with table salt to absorb the wine, pre-wash by hand with dishwasher liquid, then wash as recommended, preferably with a detergent containing bleach. Or try removing red wine stains with a small amount of white wine.

Colour me happy – separate light colours, dark colours and whites to ensure the colours of your favourite clothes last.

Don’t sweat it - to remove perspiration and deodorant stains or marks rub with soap first and then wash as recommended.

Powder or liquid – it doesn’t matter, so long as you use a detergent with bleach for whites or without bleach for colours, and one without enzymes for wool and silk. More importantly, don’t overdose your machine if you want good results.

Weighing in on load size – a washing machine like the Electrolux Time Manager with a weight sensor helps you put in the right amount of clothes. It’s also a good idea to mix bigger and smaller garments for better circulation in the drum.

Don’t get your knickers in a knot - wash bags are inexpensive insurance, the little nylon net bag protects, under wire bras, lace panties and nylon pantyhose as they tumble in the washer – don’t forget to give the garments room to move by keeping the wash bag half full.

Get sorted on fabric issues – different fabrics should be washed and dried in different ways. Sort your clothes, by fabric into two main groups: man-made fibres and natural fibres for best results. The Electrolux Energy Star dryer has a range of thoughtful programs providing the gentlest drying of silk, wool and other delicate mix fabrics.

Tell us your fabric tips and be in to win a limited edition Alex Perry silk robe valued $300! Click through to How to Enter giveaway. Entries close Wednesday 2 Dec 2009.

For more information of fabric care and advice, visit the official website.

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