Use the gentle cycle and don't 'pack' the washer, you won't get nearly as much thread trash. It's the agitation that creates that stuff and it's not necessary for removing the chemicals from the fabric.
Very smart of you to go with the least complicated way as a first choice. I've been prewashing that way (in a top-loader) for at least 10 years now. Love it!
Last edited by ghostrider; 11-09-2015 at 02:09 PM.