Ugh. I’ve put off laundry day again and my overflowing hamper is just sitting over in the corner…judging me.
But since it’s not considered polite to walk around naked in public, I suppose I should get on it before all I have left to wear is a single sock and last year’s bathing suit.
1. Smooth out wrinkles by adding ice to the dryer.
If you don’t have an iron or are just too lazy to dig it out of the closet, toss your wrinkled garments into the dryer with a couple of ice cubes. Set it to high heat and run for 10-15 minutes. The ice will melt and steam the wrinkles out.
2. Get a smaller laundry hamper.
Yes, smaller. Doing smaller loads more frequently is a much easier way to keep your sanity rather than wasting a whole day spent in your last pair of clean underwear folding a mountain of clothes.
3. Better yet, use multiple small hampers to sort your laundry as you go.
This saves sorting time on laundry day and also makes it easy to know when a specific kind of load needs to be done.
4. Replace dryer sheets with a ball of aluminum foil.
It will do just as good a job at removing static, and will last practically forever. For larger loads, just use more than one foil ball. Aim for about 2-3 inches in diameter, tightly rolled up.
5. Give old towels new life with vinegar and baking soda.
Over time, the fibers in our towels can get clogged with soap residues and hard water deposits. A run through the wash with just vinegar, followed by a second wash with baking soda and hot water, will revive them.
Important : Do not try to do both in the same wash.
6. Get deodorant buildup out of dark clothes.
Sometimes the underarms of your shirts can look sweaty even if they’re dry and clean. This is buildup from deodorant. Mix equal parts dish soap and warm water, add a dash of baking soda, and rub into the stain before tossing in the wash.
7. You can dry wet shoes without having to listen to them bang around the drum.
Just tie the laces into a double knot and hold the knot away from the door as you close it on the laces. The laces will be held tightly to the door and the shoes won’t tumble.
8. Pretreat stains naturally with a stain remover stick.
A lot of pretreating products are full of chemicals or are really expensive. Instead, try a natural option like Buncha Farmers Stain Remover Stick . Just rub it on the stain with a little hot water and it’ll clean pretty much anything.
9. Keep liquid detergent from dripping everywhere.
Those giant bottles of detergent are often the best value for your dollar, but the spouts are notorious for dripping. This little gadget catches drips and gives you a place to set your detergent cup.
10. Use a dry-erase marker on the machine for reminders.
I know I’ve forgotten to remove items from the load before tossing everything in the dryer. Leave yourself a note on the machine next time!
Wipe the note away promptly afterwards to keep your machine shiny.
11. Make your own detergent pods for a fraction of the price.
Those pods are super handy, but you’re also paying a convenience tax when you choose them over liquid or powdered detergent. By making your own, you keep the convenience for less than a penny per load.
12. Clean those gross ball caps without ruining their shape.
All you need is a plastic container with a tight lid, some detergent, and warm water. Put the hat in with the mix, close the lip, and shake . You’ll be shocked at how dirty the water becomes.
13. Toss a dry towel in with your wet laundry for the first 15 minutes to get everything dry faster.
The towel will suck up some of the moisture, so you get out of the laundromat a little bit quicker.
14. Use a mesh laundry bag to wash your kids’ small toys.
Toys get really gross, but it can be hard to clean them individually. This mom got a whole bin of Legos clean in the washing machine.
This is also great for pet toys.
15. Another great use for those mesh bags? Socks!
If you put all your socks into a bag, it’s almost impossible for them to wander off. If you lose a lot, it can be worth the extra minute of sorting.
16. Use a pool noodle to prevent creases.
Just cut the noodle to match the length of your hanger and slice down one side so that you can slide the hanger into the middle. Now your pants won’t have a weird crease.
Okay, so I guess I can’t put it off anymore. Time to get that first load started!
If you’ve tried any of these tricks or hacks, be sure to tell us how well they worked for you in the COMMENTS!
