How to Make Doing Laundry Easier: Laundry Hacks Revealed!
Looking for ways to make doing laundry easier?
If you’re like us, you might find laundry day overwhelming, with clothes piling up and never enough time to get everything done.
It’s frustrating to dig through heaps of dirty clothes or deal with never-ending wrinkles.
But don’t worry, we’ve discovered some practical tips that have made a huge difference.
Sorting clothes as soon as they come off and using separate baskets for whites, darks, and pastels can save a lot of time.
Adding a dry towel to the dryer for the first 15 minutes has really cut down on drying time.
These small changes have helped streamline our laundry routine, making it less of a chore and more manageable.
We hope these laundry tips can help make your laundry day a bit easier too!
Short Summary
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Sort laundry as you go to save time and keep your space tidy.
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Establish a consistent laundry routine to manage the pile and prevent overwhelm.
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Involve the whole family in laundry tasks to distribute the workload and promote teamwork.
Topics in This Article:
Sort Dirty Clothes As You Go
One of the best ways we've found to simplify our laundry routine is to sort dirty clothes as soon as they come off.
Organising clothes by colour, fabric type, or washing instructions right away can save us a lot of time later.
Imagine not having to dig through a pile of dirty clothes on a Sunday evening because everything is already sorted for washing!
Using separate baskets for whites, darks, and pastels can help keep things organised.
Partitioned laundry baskets in each laundry room make it easier for everyone in the family to contribute.
This prevents dirty laundry from ending up on the couch or bedroom floor, making the whole process smoother and less of a hassle.
Chiana Dickson from Homes and Gardens said:
"A great time-saver is to have two laundry bins in your closet to pre-sort your dirty laundry – one for darks and one for lights.
This makes it much easier to throw in a quick load of laundry."
Establish A Laundry Routine
Maintaining a consistent laundry routine can really help manage the laundry pile and prevent overwhelm.
Having a specific laundry day each week can help maintain consistency and keep laundry from piling up.
Doing a load or two of laundry daily can reduce clutter and ensure a constant supply of clean clothes.
A laundry routine that fits into daily habits is easier to maintain.
Incorporating laundry into our morning routine can be a game-changer.
Assigning laundry tasks to family members can foster teamwork and make the workload more manageable.
Giving each family member their own laundry basket encourages them to manage their own laundry, saving time and helping identify when clothes are piling up.
Streamline Your Wardrobe
Streamlining your wardrobe can significantly reduce the amount of laundry you need to do.
Start by going through your closet and sorting out clothes that are no longer worn or ill-fitting.
Consider donating or recycling these items to reduce waste.
Next, categorise your remaining clothes into three piles: keep, store, and discard.
Keep only the items that are in good condition and fit well.
Store out-of-season clothes in labeled bins or containers to free up space in your closet.
Discard any items that are beyond repair or no longer useful.
By streamlining your wardrobe, you can reduce the number of clothes that need to be washed, dried, and ironed.
This can save you time and energy in the long run.
Additionally, having a smaller wardrobe can make it easier to find what you need and reduce decision fatigue.
Create a Laundry Station
Creating a laundry station can help make the laundry process more efficient and organised.
A laundry station is a designated area where you can sort, wash, dry, and fold your clothes.
It can be a dedicated room or a corner of a room.
Here are some tips for creating a laundry station:
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Designate a specific area for sorting dirty clothes. Use laundry baskets or hampers to separate lights from darks and delicates from regular clothes.
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Install a washer and dryer in a convenient location. Consider a stackable washer and dryer to save space.
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Add a folding table or countertop for folding and ironing clothes.
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Store laundry supplies such as detergent, fabric softener, and stain remover in a nearby cabinet or shelf.
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Consider adding a laundry sorter or divider to separate clothes as they come out of the dryer.
By creating a laundry station, you can make the laundry process more efficient and reduce clutter in your home.
Pre-Treat Stains Immediately
Stains are inevitable but not permanent.
Acting quickly is key to effective stain removal.
We've found that treating stains immediately with a stain remover increases the chances of removal.
Delaying stain treatment makes them harder to remove; we handle them as soon as they occur.
Stain removal pens and sticks are convenient for on-the-go treatment.
We sort significantly dirty items separately for pre-treatment before washing.
Incorporating these quick methods has made keeping our clothes stain-free more manageable and less of a hassle.
Whether it's a coffee spill during a hectic morning or a grass stain from a fun family outing, tackling stains right away saves time and keeps your clothes looking fresh.
Take Care of Your Washing Machine
Our washing machine is the heart of our laundry routine, and keeping it clean has been crucial for maintaining its efficiency.
Regular cleaning prevents build-up and odours, ensuring our clothes always come out fresh.
We use a mix of baking soda and vinegar for a thorough clean, adding two cups of vinegar to the detergent dispenser and running a complete wash cycle at the hottest temperature.
Adding baking soda during the cleaning cycle helps enhance grime removal and freshen up the machine.
Regularly cleaning our washing machine has helped avoid unpleasant odours and prolong its life, making our laundry process smoother and more reliable.
Make Use of Dryer Hacks
Dryer hacks have been a game-changer for us, especially when we’re short on time.
We add a dry towel to the dryer with wet clothes for the first 15 minutes, which significantly enhances drying efficiency.
By limiting the number of bath towels in the dryer, you can further improve drying times and make more efficient use of your linens.
This simple trick has saved us countless hours.
We also place clothes in the dryer for about 10 minutes to avoid ironing and keep them wrinkle-free.
As people who dread ironing, this method has been a lifesaver.
These dryer hacks have made our laundry routine quicker and more efficient, giving us more time to relax or focus on other tasks.
If you find yourself constantly battling with laundry, these tips could be just what you need to make your life a little bit easier.
Reduce Wrinkles and Save Time
Reducing wrinkles and saving time are two common goals when it comes to laundry.
Here are some tips for achieving these goals:
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Use a fabric refresher or wrinkle releaser to reduce wrinkles in clothes. These products can be sprayed on clothes before or after washing to reduce wrinkles.
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Use a steam dryer or a dryer with a steam setting to reduce wrinkles. Steam can help relax fibres and reduce wrinkles.
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Hang clothes up as soon as possible after washing to reduce wrinkles. Use a clothes rack or a drying rack to hang clothes.
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Consider using a laundry product that reduces wrinkles, such as a fabric softener or a wrinkle-reducing detergent.
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Iron clothes as soon as possible after they come out of the dryer. Ironing clothes while they are still warm can help reduce wrinkles.
By reducing wrinkles and saving time, you can make the laundry process more efficient and reduce stress.
Simplify Folding And Storing
Folding and storing laundry can be time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be.
If you're like us, you probably dread the endless piles of clothes waiting to be folded.
We found that doing it once a day and focusing on essentials can make a huge difference.
This approach prevents the accumulation of unfolded laundry, which is a game-changer for busy families.
Using separate storage bins for kids’ clothes has saved us so much time, as it eliminates the need to fold these items.
Organising clothes in a way that minimises folding has made the process more manageable and less time-consuming.
Trust us, these small changes can make laundry feel less like a chore and more like a quick, daily task.
Tahni Mesann from HomeBeautiful said:
"Once the machines have done their thing, it’s time to wrap up the job – or should we say, fold up the job?
Creating a beautiful, functional folding station will make folding and storing laundry easier and distract from the monotony of the task."
Utilise Mesh Bags for Small Items
Mesh laundry bags can be a real game-changer in your laundry routine, especially for washing small and delicate items.
Placing socks and small garments in mesh bags keeps them organised and prevents the frustration of searching for missing socks.
Many of us have experienced losing socks in the wash, but using mesh bags keeps them all together.
These bags also protect delicate items from damage during the wash cycle.
For things like kids’ socks and delicate garments, mesh bags provide that extra protection, ensuring they come out in good condition.
Incorporating mesh bags into our laundry routine can make keeping track of small items so much easier and the whole process smoother and more efficient.
Special Care Items
Special care items require extra attention when it comes to laundry.
Here are some tips for washing and caring for special care items:
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Delicates: Wash delicates in cold water using a mild detergent. Avoid using fabric softener or bleach, as these can damage delicate fibres.
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Wool: Wash wool items in cold water using a mild detergent. Avoid agitating or wringing wool items, as this can cause them to felt.
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Silk: Wash silk items in cold water using a mild detergent. Avoid using fabric softener or bleach, as these can damage silk fibres.
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Dry cleaning: Take dry cleaning items to a professional cleaner. Avoid attempting to wash or dry clean these items at home, as this can damage the fabric.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your special care items are washed and cared for properly.
Create A "Dryer Proof" List
Creating a dryer-proof list has been a game-changer for us in preventing damage to our clothing.
By clearly identifying dryer-safe items and air-drying those that aren't, we've saved our favourite shirts from accidental ruin.
Encouraging our family to get familiar with the list has helped avoid mishaps and made the drying cycle more efficient and stress-free.
Having this list easily accessible has made drying clothes much more straightforward for everyone involved.
This simple hack has saved us from the heartbreak of damaged clothing and made laundry day a breeze.
Give it a try, and you'll see how much easier it can make your routine.
Consider Professional Services
Outsourcing our laundry routine has been the best way to simplify it.
A professional laundry service saves us so much time and effort, allowing us to focus on other tasks.
We found a service that offers laundry, dry cleaning, and ironing with a 24-hour delivery time, and it's been a game-changer.
Establishing a routine with regular pick-up and delivery has been a huge convenience, especially with our busy schedules and family demands.
This service has taken a significant load off our shoulders and keeps our laundry in top condition.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by laundry, we highly recommend giving professional services a try.
Involve The Family
Laundry doesn’t have to be done alone.
Involving the whole family distributes the workload and makes the process more manageable.
We started assigning tasks like sorting, folding, and putting away clothes, which helped everyone contribute and fostered teamwork.
Older kids can fold and store their clothes, and it’s been great for teaching them responsibility and making them feel valuable.
Managing all the clothing items ensures everything is organised and in good condition.
Even our youngest enjoys picking up their clothes, and it’s fostering responsibility from an early age.
Including washing instructions near the dryer has helped our family handle items correctly and ensured a smooth laundry process.
Involving everyone has made laundry less of a chore and more of a shared responsibility.
Make Laundry a Habit
Making laundry a habit can help reduce stress and make the laundry process more efficient.
Here are some tips for making laundry a habit:
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Create a laundry schedule: Set a specific day and time each week to do laundry. Stick to this schedule to make laundry a habit.
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Break laundry into smaller tasks: Divide laundry into smaller tasks, such as sorting, washing, drying, and folding. This can make the process feel less overwhelming.
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Make laundry a family affair: Assign laundry tasks to family members to make it a team effort. This can help reduce stress and make the process more enjoyable.
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Use laundry as a way to relax: Listen to music or a podcast while doing laundry to make the process more enjoyable.
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Reward yourself: Set a reward for yourself after completing laundry, such as taking a break or doing something you enjoy.
By making laundry a habit, you can reduce stress and make the laundry process more efficient.
In summary, simplifying our laundry routine has been all about organisation, consistency, and teamwork.
By sorting clothes as soon as they come off, we've saved so much time and kept our space tidy.
Establishing a regular laundry day each week has helped us manage the pile and prevent overwhelm.
Final Words
Treating stains immediately has made a huge difference in keeping our clothes looking fresh.
Using dryer hacks and simplifying folding and storing have significantly reduced the time and effort we spend on laundry.
Involving our family in the process has turned laundry day into a shared responsibility, making it much more manageable for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
To keep your clothes safe in the dryer, make a list of what's dryer-safe and share it with everyone in your household.
This way, you'll avoid any mishaps and keep your favourite outfits in great shape!
The best way to handle stains on clothes is to treat them immediately with a stain remover or pen, which boosts your chances of getting them out.
Don't wait—act fast for the best results!
You should clean your washing machine every one to three months to keep it fresh and prevent any unpleasant smells.
A simple wash with vinegar and baking soda works wonders!
To speed up drying your clothes, toss a dry towel in the dryer with them for the first 15 minutes.
It really helps absorb moisture and cuts down on drying time!
Get everyone in on the laundry action by assigning specific tasks and posting washing instructions where they’re easy to see.
It makes the process smoother and gets the whole family involved!