Laundry might not be your favorite chore. But with these cleaning director-approved laundry hacks, your routine can be simplified, and dare we say, more enjoyable. Carolyn Forté, the former executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab, shared several of her go-to tips that make it easier to get laundry done. From choosing the right appliances to sorting your loads correctly, these hacks can save you some frustration when it comes to doing laundry.
In addition to following the tips below, you can also optimize your weekly laundry routine by taking time to learn about your washer and dryer settings. If you often find your items come out a bit damp, wrinkled, or simply not as fresh as you’d like them to be, it may be because you’re not using the right settings. It’s also important to make sure you’re not overloading the machine. Ideally, even when your washing machine is full, you should be able to stick your hand in the drum and still have a little room to move it around.
Keep reading to find out more about the laundry hacks pros use at home when it’s time to tackle a big load of laundry.
- Choose your washer and dryer wisely. These days, washing machine models are equipped with a bulk detergent dispensing feature. “It keeps you from measuring detergent with every load,” says Forté.
She also recommends exploring combo washer and dryer units—there’s no worrying about transferring wet clothes to the dryer, as the machine immediately starts the drying process after the wash cycle is complete. Yes, you just set it, and forget it! You can even shop for machines that will send you an alert on your phone at the end of a cycle.
- Carve out time during the week. While running errands during the weekend is inevitable, consider tackling a few loads during the week to free up some hours on Saturdays and Sundays. You deserve some downtime to decompress from the hectic workweek.
- Pre-treat stains. “Use a stain pre-treater that can be applied up to a week before washing so you’re sure not to miss any stains,” Forté says. The GH Institute Cleaning Lab has a few favorites, including Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber and OxiClean Max Force.
- Use sock clips. It’s so easy to lose track of socks in the laundry. Put an end to those mismatched socks with one of Forté’s favorite laundry essentials: sock clips. “Keep a bowl of sock clips next to the hamper so socks stay paired up in the washer and dryer,” she says.
- Rely on mesh bags for small items.You might already use mesh laundry bags for delicate items like bras, but they’re great for other things, too. “You can also corral small things, like socks, or use them to hold robe belts and things that can get tangled it the wash,” Forté says.
- Try double laundry bins. It’s never fun spending too much time sorting through light and dark clothing. Make this step less time-consuming by placing a double bin in every bedroom. That way, each family member can place items in the appropriate bin as they take them off rather than sorting on laundry day.
- Avoid mixing heavy and light items in the dryer. Forté warns against placing heavy and light items in the same dryer load. “Heavy things take longer and by the time they are done, the lightweight items will be overdried,” she says.
- Consider the Wad-Free. All you have to do is attach this nifty gadget to a flat or fitted sheet, and you won’t have to worry about it getting tangled or balling up in the washer and dryer.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
Source: Home Ideas - goodhousekeeping.com
