Work Smarter, Not Harder With These Laundry Tricks

It’s no secret that laundry tips are one of my obsessions favorite things ;-) Laundry can be a tedious chore so I’m always looking for ways to make it easier and, if possible, more enjoyable. In the past I’ve shared lots of homemade laundry products and stain removers. But today I’ve got 25 tips to up your laundry game – whether by cutting down on the time it takes to do the laundry, helping your clothes last longer, or saving you money and energy!

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• Make sorting easier by having multiple hampers or a hamper with different sections. That way you don’t have to spend extra time sorting when it’s time to do the laundry! Be sure to label the sections so kids and spouses put things in the right place!  ;-)

• One way to make clothes last longer is to sort by fabric weight. Heavier fabrics like denim can break down the fibers in lighter weight fabrics like cotton and synthetics.

• Avoid sorting colors all together by making your own color catchers.

• Help your jeans last longer with these tips from my friend Alicia from Chic on a Shoestring.

• Download my Laundry Symbols Cheat Sheet to make sure you’re washing your clothes the correct way!

• Make sure you’re properly washing your bras to make them last as long as possible.

• Give your dryer a tune-up to cut down on drying time (and avoid fire danger!)

• While you’re at it, clean your washing machine as well! Click here for front-loader instructions and here for top-loader instructions.

• You can also cut down on dryer time with homemade wool dryer balls. Try double spinning your laundry in the washing machine as well.

• Make a game out of folding and putting away clothes. Time yourself with a stopwatch. Record your time and compete again yourself the following week. I like to do this when I unload the dishwasher as well! If I’m heating something up in the microwave I try to unload the dishwasher before it’s done.

• Another way to make laundry less of a bore is to do it while your favorite show is on. Put in loads during commercial breaks and fold things while you watch!

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• Cut down on folding time with this handy trick.

• Make sure you never lose a sock again – check out my three favorite sock solutions.

• Keep a towel on top of your washer or dryer for quick ironing jobs. There are lots of times that I just need to iron a hem and I don’t want to drag out my ironing board. A hair straightener works as well! And for those living in small apartments or dorms, you can iron on a made bed.

• Avoid ironing all together by making your own wrinkle release spray.

• Conserve energy and save money by washing the majority of your laundry in cold water. Hot water is really only necessary when you need to disinfect things like towels or unmentionables.

• Line drying clothes also saves energy and money! To keep line dried clothes from getting stiff, throw them in the dryer for just a few minutes before hanging them to dry. In the winter, hang clothes on a drying rack over your floor heating vents.

• If you can’t line dry, try to run dryer loads back-t0-back. If your dryer is already warmed up it won’t use as much energy to dry the next load.

• Use mesh laundry bags for things that would normally need to be hand washed. I put most of my knits and sweaters in mesh bags to keep them from getting snagged. If you don’t have mesh bags on hand, a pillow case can be used in a pinch!

• For things that still need to be hand washed, try washing them in the shower! Just bring a small bottle of detergent into the shower with you. Also be sure that the things you’re washing can be washed in warm water…unless you want to take a cold shower ;-)

• Use a salad spinner to get excess water off hand-washed times before hanging or laying them flat to dry.

• Be sure to unbutton shirts, including the small buttons on collars and cuffs, before washing. Fastened buttons can cause buttonholes to tear in the washing machine.

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• Keep your clothes smelling fresh without having to wash them by making your own fabric refreshing spray.

• Find out how often you need to wash different items with tips from The American Cleaning Institute.

• Save money on dry cleaning bills by making your own Dryel cleaning cloths.

What is your best tip for making laundry a little easier?