Overwhelmed By Laundry?
These Clever Laundry Hacks Will Help You Save Time & Money!
If You Hate Doing Laundry Then These Life Hacks Are For You.
One of the most dreaded chores is doing laundry.
We all know that it is a real-life – Never Ending Story!
As much as we hate doing laundry, most of us don’t realize just how tedious laundry day was for our grandmothers and great-grandmothers.
In fact, “wash day” was a whole day event that consisted of lugging boiling water to galvanized tubs and scrubbing dirty clothes on the washboard.
Even though the modern-day convenience of having a washing machine makes doing laundry much less tedious, we are busy people, and it takes a long time to sort, wash, dry, fold, and put away all of our clothes.
Plain and simple, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by laundry, especially if you have a large family!
Clever Laundry Life Hacks That Save Time
If you are overwhelmed by piles of dirty clothes then use my clever laundry hacks that shorten my laundry time and have even helped me save money.
How Can I Reduce My Laundry Time?
- Do one load a day, even if it is a small load.
- Use a laundry sorting bin to have everything already sorted before washing.
- Alternate between doing air-drying loads and dryer loads – to save time and money.
- Hang what you can and only fold what you must.
- Listen to music while you put the laundry away, it really makes it easier!
Stain Removal Hacks
Chalk The Oil Stain
Olive oil is a staple in my home. I cook with it at least three times a week.
I have an apron, do I always remember to wear it, not exactly.
My little trick is to keep a stick of white chalk in my kitchen and if oil splashes on my clothing, I rub the chalk over the greasy spot to absorb the oil.
It is a clever laundry life hack that has saved so many of my good tops.
Lemon Juice For Whites
Being a girl from the ’90s, I know all too well that that lemon juice is an all-natural bleaching agent.
Not only can lemon juice bleach your hair, but it is also a great stain remover for whites.
Lemon juice can even remove those pesky deodorant stains on your favorite white top.
Use A Toothbrush
For tough stains, I spray a stain remover like Shout, and then I gently scrub it in with a toothbrush.
I usually let the stain remover stay on the stain for several hours to several days – depending on when I get to it.
Washing Machine Hacks
Skip The Hamper
This time-saving laundry hack is really useful if you live alone or with one other person.
I used to use this life hack before I had kids, it’s not as easy to do with a large family.
The simple trick is to just toss dirty clothes into the washing machine as soon as they are dirty (skipping the hamper).
Then just turn the washing machine on whenever it gets full.
Mesh Bags
Using mesh bags is one of my favorite laundry hacks!
It really helps me save time because it keeps all of the socks together.
Also, mesh bags are great for washing delicates!
Safety Pin Socks
Now I don’t personally use this little laundry hack, but my aunt (who is vision-impaired) does and it is quite genius.
She safety pins all of her matching pairs of dirty socks before tossing them in the laundry hamper.
Not only does it keep her socks together, but she doesn’t have to mate them once they are washed and dried!
Use Vinegar
It is no secret that I like to use vinegar when I clean.
It’s natural and non-toxic, so I know it safe for my family.
Did you know that you can use vinegar in place of fabric softener?
Let me tell you it can be a game-changer!
Liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets are FULL of bad chemicals that have been linked to cancer.
The next time you do laundry, make the switch to vinegar. You won’t be disappointed!
Not only does vinegar make your clothes soft but they neutralize bad smells.
Just add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser and let your washing machine do its job.
*NEVER USE VINEGAR WITH BLEACH
Check out this list of the 6 vinegar cleaning recipes (that smell good) that I use to keep my house toxic-free!
Dryer Hacks
Speed Up Drying Time
The clever laundry hack I use when I need a load of laundry dried super fast is adding a clean dry towel.
When you add the wet clothes to the dryer, just toss in a fluffy clean towel to help absorb the moisture.
It really can cut your drying time in half!
Get Rid Of Wrinkles Fast
If you have an outfit that is wrinkled but you don’t have time to iron it, then having a steam option on your dryer is a huge time saver.
If your dryer doesn’t have a steam option, then you can make your own steam with ice.
That’s right, just add some ice cubes in with your outfit and set the heat to high.
In no time at all the ice will have melted into steam and released those pesky wrinkles.
Have A Lint Keeper
Keeping your lint trap clean is very important.
Not only, will it keep your dryer running efficiently, but it can also protect your home from a fire hazard.
Save time by having a designated container for lint.
It can be as simple as having a small wastebasket beside your dryer or a cute little magnetic lint basket that attaches to the side of your dryer.
Use Dryer Balls
I started using dryer balls when I gave up fabric softener.
They are a non-toxic alternative that keeps your clothes static-free.
The best part is you can add a drop of your favorite essential oil to the wool balls to make your clothes smell amazing.
Using dryer balls with essential oils is my little clever laundry hack that actually removes that mildew smell from EVERYTHING.
Air Dry
Skip the dryer altogether!
If you have a yard, use a clothesline.
It will save you hundreds of dollars a year!
If you have extra room, then have an air-drying rack in your laundry room.
Either way, it will save time and money by skipping the dryer every other load.
Folding Laundry Hacks
Get The Kids Involved
Folding clothes can be monotonous!
My kids help me with this chore.
Even a young toddler can help fold dish towels and mate socks.
Kids are never too young to learn about the tedious job of laundry.
KonMari Fold
We use the KonMari method to fold many of our items because it is such a space saver.
I have outlined the exact folding method for almost every clothing item in the Ultimate Declutter Handbook.
How To Fold Laundry Fast With A Gadget
Before we started KonMari-ing our clothes, we used a laundry folding gadget.
It is a snap to get shirts folded perfectly!
Overwhelmed By Laundry
Hopefully, these laundry hacks will give you the motivation needed to tackle the never-ending pile of dirty clothes.
If you are still completely overwhelmed with laundry then it’s time to do a closet cleanout!
Once you declutter your clothes, then the laundry pile will be leaner and less of a struggle.