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.
- Keep your clothes smelling fresh without having to wash them by making your own fabric refreshing spray.
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- 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?
All your tips are great!
Thanks!
The Very helpful and informative blog.This blog and hicare helped me a lot in providing information that helps me in home cleaning in a very easy manner.You must go through their blog for easy daily life tips and tricks. And also follow them for amazing blogs.
I put a large dry towel in the dryer with my wet clothes. It cuts down on the drying time.
Hi-Lo to all! I have been doing laundry for over 50 years now and have gone from using an old wringer washer & wash tub to my HE washer! One thing I have not seen anyone mention is wash load size/weight…if your load is too heavy, it cuts down on how clean your clothes will be! Never over stuff your washer or dryer to save time…4 or 5 pair of adult jeans, 8-10 towels depending on size, one change of bedding NOT everything at once, separate blankets from sheets & pillow cases, separate quilts…overtaxing your appliance wears them out faster,… Read more »
Re. making your own color catchers. Is 20 Mule Team Borax the same as “washing soda?”
Thanks!
Nope, borax and washing soda are very different! Here’s a post all about borax: http://jillee.co/2sHo9z1, and one all about washing soda: http://jillee.co/2oNuTfR
WHEN A WASHER REPAIRMAN REPLCED THE PUMP IN MY FRONT LOADING WASHER, HE INFORMED ME, ‘COLOR CATCHER’ SHEETS SHOULD NOT BE USED IN FRONT LOADING WASHERS. THEY END UP IN THE WASHER’S PUMPS, WHICH BURNS UP THE PUMP.
I do the brief stint in the dryer AFTER I line dry as a way of fluffing, softening, and shaking out pollen and bugs that might collect in my clothes while hanging outside. (Also to finish off any damp patches that might remain; I actually try to bring them in before totally dry so the last bit of moisture creates a softening burst of steam.) Also, I never iron: for my husband’s button-down shirts–even his dressiest ones–I hang them upside down, pinned at each side seam and overlapping the button placket, so that the shirt is stretched as flat and… Read more »
Great tips, thanks Michele!
Jillee–Here’s a laundry tip–Don’t sort by colors, sort by dryer load temperature. Color catchers and today’s color fast clothing eliminate worries about fabric dyes bleeding. The bigger issue is keeping all the Low Dryer Temperature clothes in their own load, the heavier fabrics that need High Temperature drying together, and even an Air Dry load can be separated out. Today’s clothes are more likely to be damaged by the dryer than the washer. We put all the shiny nylon sports shorts and tops in one load, for example, cotton jeans and slacks together, bath towels and sheets together, etc.
Great idea Kimberley!
One thing I occasionally due with heavier fabrics that take longer to dry is if there’s a clean towel by the dryer to put the towel in with the load. This really helps to speed up the drying process. I also keep a bottle of Febreze in our hall closet. It’s great for if I get all sweaty at work. I can just spray stuff like my bra with, instead of having to wash.
Please don’t use Febreze. It has 88 chemicals in it! The chemicals you are breathing in is very detrimental to your health. I’m sure Jillee has a recipe for an all-natural spray you can make for pennies. I’ve made them. If not, just look on Pinterest.
Here’s a link to homemade febreeze, if you’re interested :-) http://jillee.co/2tfey6u
Thank you for all your wonderful tips! I have just recently moved out with my fiance in our new home and your website is an absolute joy to read and follow! Thank you for all the work that you put into writing and sharing your amazing ideas! I look forward to reading more :)
Thanks Rose!
I just read your instructions on cleaning front loaders and I just wanted to mention that I have had one for seventeen years and I have managed to keep the moldy smell out by wiping the door and putting a rag in the rubber part to soak up the water that accumulates there during the wash. After eight hours I remove the rag and keep the door open for twenty four hours. There have been times where I will put in a few cups of baking soda before closing the door, that helps with any smell and is there for… Read more »