Spend a lot on clothes? You may be washing that investment down the drain!

News 12's consumer reporter Janice Lieberman gives us The Real Deal on how to keep your clothes looking new longer.

Your washer and dryer can be your best friend if you figure out how to make them work for you. Below are some expert tips:

Let’s start with jeans. They can be costly. What’s worse is when your favorite pair shrinks, discolors or rips. To protect their color, texture, and sheen, best thing to do is to try to wash them inside out. That way, it's the inside surface that takes the beating.

Don’t sort by color, sort by the fabric density. Heavy fabrics absorb more water than lighter ones. Mixed washing can damage garments made of thinner fibers.

Wash socks in cold water. Most of the dirt is protein based. If you use hot water, the stains will remain.

When moving your laundry into the dryer, remember heat can destroy your clothes. You want to use the least amount of time and the least amount of heat. One of the best things to do is to use the center mode on your dryer. It’ll actually determine how much time and heat is absolutely necessary to make sure your clothes are safe. It’s also easier to iron clothing that’s still a bit damp.

To make your heavier loads dry faster, toss a tennis ball in the dryer so it forces the blankets to move around.

Make your whites whiter by adding crushed aspirin to your machine.

Worried about static cling? Toss some aluminum foil balls into your dryer.

If you have a story idea, question or tip, click here to reach out to Janice.