You may separate your whites from colors when you wash your clothes, but when it comes to drying them, separate according to weight. By drying heavy clothes like jeans, sweaters and thick flannel shirts separately from light fabrics like T-shirts and undergarments, you will be using the least amount of energy. Start by drying a load of light fabrics first; they will dry quickly and warm up the inside of the dryer. Then add the heavier items for a second load. The residual heat from the first load will help speed up that drying process. Since modern dryers have moisture sensors, it will automatically and accurately turn off when the batch of clothes are truly dry and ready to be removed.

Ever wonder what to do with shoes you pack in your suitcase when you travel? One way to keep your clothes free of dirt, debris and chemicals is to upcycle plastic shower caps, which you can often get for free at hotels. Simply wrap the shower cap around the bottom of shoes before packing into the bag. It will create a barrier that protects your clothes from any dirt that might be on your shoes.

Ever get a greasy stain on clothes and worry that simply washing it in the washing machine won't do the job? One might think to grab laundry detergent and try to spot clean the stain, but don't: Most detergents are super concentrated and designed to work with water. They have very strong stain-fighting enzymes that, when applied directly to clothes, can create more damage and noticeable wear. Instead, reach for the best grease-cutting soap there is -- dish soap. It's gentle, works to break up stains and won't harm fabrics. Just spot treat, let it soak and wash in the washing machine.