Be thankful your clothing isn't as dirty as Mike Rowe's, television's "dirtiest man" whose job as host and creator of Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs" would leave anyone looking for ways to make doing laundry easier and more pleasant.

"After 150 dirty jobs, I've begun to look at my clothes as disposable. For lack of a better solution, I often burn or bury them," said Rowe at a recent launch event for Whirlpool brand's Duet Steam laundry pair, as he commemorated 150 "Dirty Jobs."

You don't have to be as dirty as Rowe to tap into the power of a new trend in laundry -- steam. The natural, immersive cleaning power of steam can tackle tough stains and sanitize laundry without the need for bleach. The laundry industry has gone back to basics with temperatures topping 176 degrees F, using steam to eliminate 99.9 percent of common bacteria.

Here are some other helpful fabric care tips and tricks from the experts at The Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science:

n Rub, do not blot stains.

n Treat stains from the inside of the garment to loosen them.

n Wash fabrics in the proper water temperature -- cold for colors, hot to keep whites white.

n Toss a damp towel in the dry cycle to remove wrinkles and refresh fabrics.

Another sure-fire way to take the sting out of laundry is to save money and help the environment in the process. Recent research indicates that consumers want their machines to be eco-friendly and cost-effective.

Indeed, 59 percent of consumers say water and energy savings are two factors they consider when purchasing a washing machine. Appliance manufacturers are responding with high-efficiency front-loaders offering more aggressive energy and water savings as compared to conventional top-loaders. When purchasing an appliance, look for the Energy Star label to optimize savings.

And if all else fails to make the task of doing laundry more pleasurable, try adding a splash of color. As design trends evolve, customization in homes calls for stylish and functional appliances that make a bold statement.

Visit www.instituteoffabricscience.com for more helpful laundry tips and trends.