How do I efficiently use my washer?

I use a Frigidaire front load (energy star) washer. I do not know the specs because it’s actually my partners machine and I simply wash our clothes.

What I want to know is, how do I use it efficiently in the sense that I am not damaging my clothes? There are multiple settings and I use “common sense” to set the wash according to the load, but I am not certain if I am putting too much or too little detergent in the washer regardless of how little or much it may appear to be. Mind you, I follow directions to the T.

I have noticed some of my clothes fading. It may also be because I do not have much clothes and I wash them more frequently, but frequently is bi-weekly. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.