Easy Laundry Hacks That Work
Streamline your laundry routine with these simple hacks to save you time and effort. These tips will help you manage your laundry like a pro, from sorting to washing.
Sort Smarter, Not Harder
An easy way to handle laundry is to sort your clothes as soon as you take them off. Have different baskets for whites, colors and delicate items in your laundry room. This helps to keep everything organized and saves you time on laundry day.
Label each basket clearly to make sure that everyone in the household knows where to put their clothes.
Treat Stains Right Away
It's best to take care of stains as soon as you notice them. The quicker you act, the easier it is to remove the stain. Keep a stain remover stick or spray in your laundry area for fast treatment.
For example, if you spill something on your shirt, don't wait long to clean it; instead, grab your stain remover and apply it right away. This helps prevent the stain from setting in and becoming harder to clean later on.
Use Mesh Laundry Bags
Mesh laundry bags are very helpful for washing delicate items like socks and small clothes. When you use these bags, your items are less likely to get lost or damaged in the wash.
For example, you can place your underwear, socks and other delicate fabrics inside mesh bags. When you put these bags in the washing machine, the mesh protects your clothes from getting tangled, stretched or damaged by the machine’s spinning and turning.
Add Vinegar for Extra Freshness
If you want your clothes to smell extra fresh, then add 8 ounces (1 cup) of white vinegar during the machine wash cycle. The vinegar helps to remove bad odors and can also naturally soften your clothes. This is a simple trick that can make your laundry smell clean without using chemicals or strong fragrances.
Never mix vinegar with bleach, as the mixture can create dangerous fumes.
Keep Your Washing Machine Clean
It's important to clean your washing machine regularly to keep it working well. A clean washer can make your clothes come out fresher and can also help the machine last longer.
Once a month, you should run an empty cycle with just hot water and 16 ounces (about 2 cups) of white vinegar. This helps to remove any buildup of detergent, fabric softener or dirt that can cause bad smells. The hot water and vinegar work together to clean and refresh the inside of your machine.
After you finish using the washer, leave the door open for a while. This lets the air circulate inside and helps to prevent the formation of mold and mildew.
Speed Up Drying with a Towel
If you want to make your clothes dry faster in the dryer, a simple trick you can try is to add a dry towel to the load. When you put your wet clothes in the dryer, throw in a clean, dry towel as well. The towel will help soak up extra moisture from the wet clothes, making them dry quicker and saving you time and energy.
This method works because the dry towel acts like a sponge and absorbs some of the water from the wet clothes, leading to a shorter drying time overall and helping you save time and energy.
Use Ice Cubes to De-Wrinkle Clothes
Here's a simple trick to get rid of wrinkles in your clothes instantly: use ice cubes. If you have wrinkled clothes and don't want to iron them, just put a couple of ice cubes in the dryer along with your wrinkled garments. Then, run the dryer on high for a few minutes. As the ice cubes melt, they will turn into steam. The steam works like a natural wrinkle remover, helping to smooth out the creases in your clothes.
This method is particularly effective for small loads of clothes that have light wrinkles. It’s not the best solution for heavily wrinkled or large loads.
Create a Folding Station
Set up a folding station in your laundry room to make folding clothes quicker and more organized. Choose a clean, flat surface like a table or countertop to spread out your clothes. Use baskets to sort and organize items as they come out of the dryer.
This helps you fold clothes neatly and makes it easier to put them away in the closets later. By having a designated area for folding, you streamline the process and keep your laundry room tidy and efficient.
Add a Hanging Rod
Place a hanging rod in your laundry room to make things easier. Hang clothes straight out of the dryer to prevent wrinkles, keeping them smooth and neat. It's also perfect for clothes that need to air dry, like delicate fabrics.
Install the rod between two walls or under a cabinet, ensuring it's sturdy enough to hold your clothes. This simple addition helps save time on ironing and keeps clothes in better condition.
Use Dryer Balls for Faster Drying
Dryer balls can help speed up the drying process and make your clothes softer. These small, reusable balls help separate the clothes in the dryer, allowing hot air to circulate more effectively.
When you add them to your dryer load, they reduce drying time and minimize wrinkles, making your laundry routine faster and more efficient. Dryer balls are also an eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets, as they can be reused many times.
By using these easy and smart laundry room hacks, doing laundry will be simpler and more enjoyable.