Laundry is just one of those tasks that you can never get rid of. It's a never ending cycle of sorting, washing, drying, and folding. However, there are laundry hacks and techniques that might help make it less of a nuisance even while the dirty clothes keep piling up. Laundry hacks that don't work are all over the internet.
They guarantee to save you time and save you from laborious tasks. Unfortunately, a lot of the hacks don't work since they don't adhere to the basic principles of fabric care.
So, we've compiled the top suggestions that genuinely work and will help you to wash laundry like a pro to save you time and prevent you from spending it on ineffective laundry hacks. They'll help you save time and money, improve the quality and longevity of your clothing, and prevent any possible washing blunders.
Avoid creasing when drying by using a pool noodle
If you've ever hung up your recently dried garments on a drying rack only to find that they have a noticeable wrinkle, do this: Trim a pool noodle to the length of the rods for your drying rack, and then make a lengthwise cut along one of its sides to expose the center.
Wrap the noodle around the pole of your drying rack to prevent any sharp lines from appearing on your clothing.
Use a dry-erase sharpie to remember stuff
Give yourself a nice reminder to keep fragile goods safe. Make a note of the clothes that needs to be removed for air-drying using a dry-erase marker right on your washing machine.
Once done, just wipe away. If you are concerned that your notes may be smudged, you might also install a dry-erase board close to your washer.
Use chalk to get rid of grease stains
Pre-treating oil and grease stains prevents these stains from becoming permanent. But it's not always easy going pre-treating. Keep some chalk in the kitchen instead, and use it to rub the stain right away.
The grease will be partially absorbed by the chalk, increasing the likelihood that the stain will fade after washing.
Use salt to wash bright colors
Salt is a cheap, eco-friendly, and effective way to maintain the richness of your colors. Soak clothes in salt water for the entire night before washing it. Simply put your laundry to the machine after adding between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of salt to the cold water.
Then add detergent and run the machine as usual in the morning. At this stage, you can also add more clothing, just be careful not to overfill the washer.
Use ice cubes to remove wrinkles
We all know that steam can remove wrinkles, but ironing can take a lot of time. Fortunately, one of the best-kept laundry secrets involves a few ice cubes and your dryer, which can handle all the job.
Put 2-3 cubes in the dryer with your wrinkled clothes after turning the machine on to its hottest setting. Ice and heat will produce steam, which will easily remove wrinkles from clothing.
Swap out the dryer sheets for wool balls
Perhaps dryer sheets are not the best option for your household. Turn to wool balls instead, and even better, knit them yourself. Wool balls fluff up, softens, and prevents static cling in garments in dryer.
They also help to speed up the drying process by distributing heat more evenly and keeping garments separated while they toss.
Use cardboard to make folding simple
With some assistance, folding clothing can go more smoothly. Make a cardboard framework to engage children in folding.
With the guidance of the template, fold the sleeves in first, then the bottom of the shirt up. There are several plastic ones available online if you'd prefer not to make your own.
Vinegar can also brighten the clothes
To stop fading and bleeding, several swimsuit makers advise soaking brand-new suits in a solution of white vinegar and cold water.
Before putting on your new suit, soak it for at least 30 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to 1 quart of water. To keep your black jeans dark, soak them in a 50:50 combination of vinegar and water before the first wash.
Use vinegar instead of fabric softener
Vinegar is useful for many laundry hacks, but it works especially well as a fabric softener. Pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the washer's fabric softener section after adding detergent.
The vinegar will loosen cloth fibers, organically softening them without the use of chemicals or additions.
Baking soda as a multipurpose worker
Baking soda can help your laundry products perform better and possibly replace some of them. Use baking soda in the rinse cycle if store-bought fabric softeners leave the towels less than absorbent.
When using bleach, add one cup of baking soda to the wash water to increase the bleach's ability to whiten and clean. With baking soda, you can remove the grime from the iron's bottom without leaving any scratches.
Speeding up the drying process
Running late and discovering that the shirt you need to wear to work is still wet is a big nuisance, but it's simpler than you may think to get it dry quickly. Add a few dry bath towels before putting them in the dryer. They will expedite the drying process and help in moisture absorption.
If you hand-washed a single item, spin it multiple times in your kitchen salad spinner to help it dry more rapidly. This can remove excess moisture without unnecessary wringing and twisting, which can damage materials and produce a lot of creases.
Use baking soda and lemon juice to remove sweat stains
Unattractive sweat stains can be removed without using harsh chemicals or store-bought products. Not only can baking soda and lemon juice remove stains, but they may also refresh cloth.
Directly apply lemon juice and baking soda to the spots to make a paste. Before washing, let the paste dry in the sun for the greatest effects.
Use conditioner to restore a shrunken sweater
Sometimes your beloved sweater accidentally ends up in the hot dryer and is now one or more sizes too small. Do not fret. Put the shrunken sweater in a solution made of cold water and a hair conditioner.
Give it at least 30 minutes to soak. The hair conditioner helps relax the wool strands, allowing you to gently stretch the sweater back into shape.
Use an aluminum foil ball to avoid static
A neatly packed ball of aluminum foil (about the size of a tennis ball) functions similarly to a dryer sheet and is reusable. It removes any wrinkles and keeps the fabric static-free.
You can use the same ball for at least a whole year; otherwise, replace it with a new aluminum ball as soon as you feel static returning.
Use hampers with built-in dividers
Sort your laundry as you go rather than wait until you have a large, uncontrolled mound.
A split hamper allows you to separate each piece of clothes into categories, allowing you to skip the sorting and fill the machine right away when the washing day arrives.