How To Use Water Conditioner

Hey everyone. Every time I do water changes on my tanks I always wondered what the best way to use water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramines. When I do my water changes, I put the correct amount of conditioner for the new water to be added. I add the conditioner to the bucket and fill it up with water to the correct amount I'm replacing but would this use up all of the conditioner before the bucket is full? What is the best way to add the conditioner? I add conditioner and then fill the bucket with water and use my hands to move the water around when the water is coming out of the faucet. Is this the best way? I've always done this and never had any problems. The questions I have regarding the conditioner is that: 1. will the conditioner be used up by adding freshwater after the conditioner is added to the bucket first? 2. Is it better to fill the bucket and add the conditioner and swirl the water around, or can I add the correct amount of conditioner into the tank after taking out the dirty water and then add freshwater without the conditioner because I've already added the conditioner to the tank. I think #2 would be the best answer but I don't know. Thanks, Ed.