14 Hacks for an Effortless Laundry Routine

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Laundry is the one chore that many people struggle to stay on top of, especially those with families and small children (have you ever seen how many tiny outfits they go through in a day?). It’s a constant influx of grimy clothes needing not only to be washed, but dried, folded, sorted, and put away.

While these are not always the most riveting activities, the easiest way to get them done is to find the tried and true life hacks that streamline the process and make things as painless as possible.

How do you do it, you ask? Here are some hacks to transform your laundry routine into a better experience.

1. Teach Your Kids to Do Laundry

Most of the laundry belongs to them anyway– teaching your kids to do laundry lightens your load and instills a valuable life skill. Start by explaining the basics, such as sorting clothes, measuring detergent, and setting up the washing machine.

You can make it fun by turning it into a game or a bonding activity. Encourage them to take responsibility for their own laundry, and soon enough, you’ll have little helpers who can handle the task themselves.

2. Designate Your Laundry Day

If you designate a specific day of the week for laundry, you will avoid the chaos of daily loads. This helps manage time effectively and keeps the laundry pile from overwhelming. Knowing when laundry day is approaching helps it’ll allow you to carve out a bit of time in the day to get things done.

Stick to your chosen laundry day as much as possible, and soon, it will become a routine that everyone in the household can depend on. As with other things in life, consistency is key to maintaining an organized laundry schedule.

3. Use Color Catchers to Keep Colors from Running

Color catchers are a lifesaver when it comes to preventing colors from bleeding onto other clothes. Toss one into the wash, and it will absorb any loose dyes, keeping your colors vibrant.

This is especially useful for new clothes that tend to bleed more dye during the first few washes. With color catchers, you can wash mixed color loads without the fear of ruining your favorite garments.

4. Fold Clothes Easily with Cardboard

Folding clothes can be a tedious task, but a simple piece of cardboard can make it easier and faster. Cut a rectangular piece of cardboard and place it under the shirt. Fold the sides in toward each other, and flip the bottom up towards the top, then open it up to reveal a perfectly folded shirt.

This hack speeds up the folding process and gives your folded clothes uniformity, making your closet look neat and organized. It’s a great way to involve kids in laundry chores, as they easily pick up on using the cardboard template.

5. Quick Dry with Ice Cubes to Reduce Wrinkles

If you’re in a hurry (or you accidentally forget about your laundry in the washer for too long) and need to dry clothes quickly, toss a couple of ice cubes into the dryer. The steam created by the melting ice helps reduce wrinkles, saving you time on ironing.

This trick works best with a few lightweight items rather than a full load. It’s a quick fix for those last-minute outfit preparations, ensuring you look polished and wrinkle-free in no time.

6. Use a Mesh Bag for Small Clothes and Socks

Tiny baby socks are cute but have the uncanny talent of getting swallowed up in the washing machine. Mesh bags are perfect for keeping small items like socks, underwear, and baby clothes together during the wash.

This prevents them from getting lost or tangled with more oversized items. Place your small garments in the mesh bag and throw it into the washing machine for a stress-free cycle.

7. Put a Dry Towel in the Dryer to Dry Clothes Faster

Adding a dry towel to your dryer load can significantly speed up the drying process. The towel absorbs moisture from the wet clothes, reducing overall drying time.

Remove the towel after about 15-20 minutes to prevent it from adding dampness back into the load. This hack is especially handy when you need your clothes dried quickly.

8. Use Aluminum Foil As Dryer Sheets

If you run out of dryer sheets, aluminum foil can be a great alternative. Crumple a sheet of aluminum foil into a ball and put it in the dryer. It helps reduce static and leaves your clothes soft and fluffy.

This eco-friendly hack eliminates the need for disposable dryer sheets, saving you money and reducing waste. Plus, you can reuse the same foil ball for multiple loads.

9. Use a Pool Noodle to Reduce Creases

You know how much you dislike that line left by your hanging line on your shirt. Say goodbye to creases with the help of a pool noodle. Cut a pool noodle to the width of your hanger and slide it over the bar.

Hang your pants, skirts, or delicate fabrics over the noodle to prevent creases from forming. Wrinkle-free clothes are the best news for any working adult.

10. Sort Laundry by Texture

Instead of sorting laundry by color, try sorting by texture. Grouping similar fabrics together, such as towels with towels and jeans with jeans, helps ensure even washing and drying.

This method reduces wear and tear on delicate fabrics and prevents lint transfer between different materials. It can also help you remember to set appropriate wash and dry cycles for each type of fabric. Just remember to keep your whites separated.

11. Wash Clothes with Cold Water (Except Whites and Towels)

To use hot or cold water, that’s the question. Washing clothes with cold water can save energy and help preserve the color and fabric of your garments.

Cold water is effective for most everyday laundry, except for whites and towels, which benefit from hot water for better cleaning and sanitization. Using cold water also reduces the risk of shrinking and fading, extending the life of your clothes.

12. Remove Stains Immediately

The secret to stain removal is to address the stains as soon as they happen to prevent them from setting. If you’re washing already, dab the stained part with some remover before you put it in the machine.

If it’s not laundry day, rinse the stain remover with clean water. Acting quickly increases the chances of completely removing the stain and keeping your clothes looking fresh.

13. Shake Out Items Before Drying

Give your clothes a hearty shake before sending them to the dryer. They’re not maracas, but it’ll help beat out some of the wrinkles and allow them to dry evenly.

Shaking out items also helps prevent clothes from clumping together, allowing air to circulate more effectively in the dryer. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in the final appearance of your clothes.

14. Organize Your Laundry Hamper

You know you will need to spend time sorting your laundry, so how about sorting it way before wash day? Use a hamper with multiple compartments to keep your laundry organized.

Sort clothes by color, fabric type, or washing instructions as you go, making laundry day more manageable and efficient. Separate sections for whites, colors, and delicates can save you time in the future.

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