I always take them outside & shake, shake, shake them ALot before putting in the washer, then when they finish the wash cycle I take them out & shake them again before the rinse cycle. Again before going into the dryer. Empty the lint trap every 15 minutes & usually take them out & shake them 2-3 times before dry. Large ones I have taken to the Laundromat, I still take them out & shake them before going into the dryer & a couple times before dry. I don't know about a front loader-- have never heard anything but problems with them so don't own one