Laundry, while not the hardest task on the to-do list, is certainly one of the most tedious. Plus, it never ends, with baskets filling up day after day – usually quicker than we can empty them.
Luckily, our laundry pros have narrowed down the best tips to make this chore less taxing. Here, they share seven smart laundry hacks to make this vital household job easier, whether you live alone or are juggling a hectic, large brood.
Put these tips into play to save time doing your laundry, use less energy, finally banish those doom piles and make sure nothing shrinks in the process.
Laundry hacks to make doing laundry easier
We want to make life easier, not more complicated, so these laundry tips won’t delve into the ins and outs of laundry symbols or the best washing machine settings to use.
Instead, we’ll focus on the basics to help you tackle this chore without damaging your clothing and linens, or unwittingly making the job harder or longer than it needs to be.
1. Use a split laundry hamper
Sorting clothes for laundry doesn’t need to be complicated. While it is a good idea to split up hand wash and dry clean only items, the rest of your laundry can generally be sorted into whites, darks, and bright colors (you can even wash darks and colors together if you are in a real rut).
Daniel Feliciano, laundry expert and CEO of Clotheslyne says the easiest way to do this is sorting as you create laundry. He says, ‘Separate your darks and your lights in different hampers so you can toss dirty clothes into the right basket or the pile, ready for laundry day.’
The Joseph Joseph 90-liter Split Laundry Hamper, from Amazon, is one of the highest-rated laundry bins, with an aesthetic build that helps it blend seamlessly into any home. Head of Solved, Punteha Terheyden gave this laundry organizer a whirl in her home and found it was transformative, especially as she suffers chronic pain and her mobility is limited.
All prices correct at time of publication.
This extra large laundry hamper is perfect for busy households, with three removable bags to make sorting laundry super simple. It holds a week's worth of washing for a family of three and is made from a durable material that will not splinter or crack.
2. Turn the temperature down
While there are some items you should always wash in hot water such as white linens with stains, or bedding after illness, most of your everyday laundry can go on a cool wash, says Danny Leung, natural home routine advocate and founder of Detoorp.
He explains, ‘Many people stick to 'normal' mode and miss out on helpful features like eco-wash cycles or quick washes. Understanding the settings lets you choose the best cycle for your load, saving energy and time.’
Most modern detergents such as Tide from Walmart, are specially formulated to work at lower temperatures just as effectively as higher settings. Turning the temperature down on a load of laundry stops clothes from shrinking, shortens the cycle duration, and saves you money on laundry.
3. Use dryer balls
Using dryer balls is an underrated laundry hack that can speed up drying times fluff up bedding, and making laundry quicker and easier.
Danny Leung says, ‘Pop in wool dryer balls, from Walmart, (or other eco-friendly alternatives) to help separate clothes and improve air circulation in the dryer. They reduce drying time, save energy, and even help soften your fabrics naturally.’
They are also one of the best sustainable household swaps you can make, cutting out toxic dryer sheets that can damage your clothes and your dryer. Simple add a few drops of your favorite essential to a damp dryer ball for a natural fragrance infusion. Punteha, head of Solved, gave this essential oil dryer hack a go and loved how luxurious it made her laundry smell.
Geranium has a subtle, luxurious floral smell and this pure essential oil can be used to scent your laundry in the dryer, to make your bathroom smell like a spa or for a homemade cleaning spray – you'll need two cups of water, 10 drops of oil, and a dash of dish soap.
4. Dry out in the sun
If you don’t want to faff around with dryer settings, consider reaping the benefits of air-drying laundry, says Elizabeth Sheilds, operations manager at Super Cleaning Service, Louisville.
Elizabeth says, ‘If you can, dry your clothes outside in the sun. It’s amazing at lifting tough stains like marinara sauce, especially those yellow, orange, or red ones. Just be cautious not to leave clothes in direct sunlight for too long because it can fade vibrant colors.
'For a budget-friendly alternative, or if outdoor drying isn’t an option, invest in a good drying rack. You’ll save energy, cut down on wear and tear, and keep your clothes looking fresh longer.’
This sturdy clothes drying rack folds down between uses, making it easy to store in a closet or behind a door when not needed. When open, it measures 35.5 x 14.5 x 45.5 inches.
5. Treat stains as soon as they happen
While it might seem like a pain, treating stains as soon as they happen is the best way to ensure they come out. It will save you time later trying to scrub it out once it has set.
Cleaning pro Elizabeth Sheilds suggests setting up a stain station to make this easier. ‘Treating or washing items as soon as possible really makes all the difference because once a stain sets in, it’s a whole different battle,' she says. 'For greasy stains, drop any liquid dish soap, rub it in, rinse, and wash as usual. For tougher stains, like food spills or mud, OxiClean paired with a scrub brush is like your secret weapon.’
If you prefer all natural alternatives, unscented Whole Naturals Castile soap, available at Walmart is supremely versatile for cleaning and perfect for tackling stubborn laundry stains while being gentle on skin.
This soft scrubbing brush will help work stain removers into the fibers of your clothing to get them looking new again without damaging the surface or bobbling the material. This is suitable for use on delicate fabrics including knits, cotton and linens.
Perfect for pre-treating stains, OxiClean can also be added to your washing machine for an extra stain-fighting boost during a regular cycle.
A good quality detergent is essential for removing stains in a pinch. Water it down with some warm water and dab at the stain with a cloth to help lift it away before washing as normal.
6. Use high quality products
High-quality detergent may seem expensive, but it is more than worth the investment if you are looking to make laundry as easy as possible. Higher quality detergents will help to remove odors, kill bacteria, and remove stains without having to rewash, even when washing in cooler temperatures and on shorter cycles.
Tried and trusted brands such as Tide Free & Gentle, from Walmart, or Ecover, from Amazon, will keep your laundry fresh and clothes in top condition.
7. Establish a routine or habit
One thing people who are good at laundry always do is make a routine.
Danny Leung says, ‘Consistency is something you might want to consider when it comes to laundry. Dedicate specific days to tackle your loads – whether it’s whites on Monday, or everything-we-forgot on Sunday. Having a set routine prevents laundry from piling up to Everest levels, helps you keep you on top of it all – it will become a habit so you won't forget.’
If this doesn’t work for you because your hampers fill up unequally or at differing speeds, consider making it a habit to do a load as soon as one basket is three-quarters full. This stops it from overflowing and is a good visual cue.
There you have it. With these seven savvy laundry hacks loved by our pros, this household task will be less daunting.
Next, learn if you should be doing laundry every day and the laundry mistakes to avoid.
