Laundry can feel like an endless chore, especially for busy people juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. Fortunately, with some simple laundry hacks, you can cut down the time you spend on this tedious task and keep your clothes fresh and clean with less effort. In this article, we’ll share some quick and easy laundry hacks to help busy people streamline their laundry routines.
Use Laundry Strips for a Quick Refresh
If you don’t have time for a full load of laundry, use laundry detergent strips for a quick refresh. Simply toss a strip in the dryer with wrinkled, musty clothes and run a short 15-minute cycle. The heat helps release the cleaning agents in the strip to refresh clothes. Laundry strips are portable, compact, and easy to store for on-the-go use too.
Do Smaller Loads More Frequently
Big laundry days can take over your whole weekend. Instead of letting it pile up, do smaller loads more frequently, like every 2-3 days. This prevents wrinkles from setting in, makes folding and putting away easier, and allows you to multi-task laundry with your normal routine.
Sort As You Go
Skipping the sorting step leads to laundry buildup. Get in the habit of sorting clothes into lights and darks as you undress or unload the hamper. Having pre-sorted piles cuts down laundry prep time. Toss items directly in the washer as sorted and your laundry time will be more efficient.
Use Color Catchers
Red sock syndrome is a laundry nightmare. Color catchers or laundry stripping sheets prevent dye transfer by absorbing loose dye. Just throw a sheet in with your lights/darks loads and it will absorb any excess dye. No more sorting whites and colors separately or accidentally dyeing an entire load pink.
Wash Bras in a Lingerie Bag
Bras get stretched out and misshapen in the washing machine. A lingerie bag protects bras from snags and tangles so they keep their shape. Toss them in the bag and throw it in with the rest of your clothes. No more handwashing or delicate cycles needed.
Clean Your Machine
A dirty washing machine harbors hidden dirt and grime which can redeposit on your clean clothes. Once a month, run a hot cycle with either vinegar or baking soda to clean out residue. Not only will this make your clothes cleaner, it also improves your machine’s lifespan.
Use Dryer Balls
Dryer balls help separate clothes and circulate air to cut drying time. Wool or plastic balls bounce around the drum, preventing clothes from clumping together. This allows moisture to evaporate faster for fluffier, less wrinkled laundry without static cling or lint.
Remove Stains Right Away
Don’t let stains set before washing. Dab stains immediately with stain remover, dish soap or baking soda paste. Soaking or pretreating stains prevents them from becoming permanent fixtures, saving you from extra washing or spot treatments later.
Hang Dry When Possible
The dryer causes wrinkles, shrinkage and wears out clothes faster. Whenever possible, hang or lay flat to dry. This prevents damage to clothes and cuts your energy bill too. For smoother drying, hang clothes inside out on the line.
Conclusion
Streamlining your laundry routine is possible even with a hectic schedule. Start by sorting as you go, doing mini-loads, washing delicates in bags and using tools like dryer balls, color catchers and laundry strips. Remove stains right away, clean machines regularly and skip the dryer when you can. With these handy laundry hacks, you can keep your clothes fresh and clean in half the time. Say goodbye to laundry pileups and enjoy more free time.
FAQs
How can I speed up drying time without using the dryer?
Hang drying clothes inside out smooths wrinkles. Choose quick-drying fabrics like polyester blends. Put clothes outside on breezy, sunny days or set up a drying rack indoors near a fan or vent.
What’s the easiest way to get wrinkles out of clothes fast?
Toss wrinkled clothes in the dryer with an ice cube or damp washcloth. The moisture steams wrinkles out in 10-15 minutes. You can also fill a spray bottle with water and spray wrinkled areas, then smooth with your hands.
How do I get rid of musty smells in clothes?
Add white vinegar or baking soda to the wash cycle to eliminate odors. Air drying clothes in the sun also helps remove musty smells. Stuff dryer sheets in shoes or gym bags to keep them smelling fresh.
What laundry products help prevent colors from bleeding?
Color catcher sheets absorb loose dye during washing to prevent colors bleeding onto other clothes. There are also laundry detergents made specifically for bright colors that help maintain vibrancy and prevent fading.
What’s the best stain remover for fresh stains on clothes?
For oil-based stains, use dish soap. For mud or dirt stains, scrub with a laundry brush and detergent before washing. For food or makeup stains, dab the spot with baking soda paste or hydrogen peroxide before washing.