Helpful Hints from joeeze: What's the correct order in which to load your [top loading] washing machine?

1) Start with water — the amount you've selected for your load size — and wait till it's all in

2) Add detergent, fabric softener, and whatever else you like to put in (OxiClean, Febreze, etc.)

3) Last, put in the clothes

See how easy?

I only learned this long after I became a regular patron of those banks of washing and drying machines that required a roll of quarters.

Like many (most?) people, I threw in the clothes, added the detergent and turned on the machine, then walked away.

A good mnemonic I made up just for me and you: W.C. as in water closet.

Then think "alphabetical order."

Water, Detergent, Clothes — the D's gotta go in-between, see?