Laundry never seems to end. The hamper is filling up as you finish the last load. Here are some suggestions that save time, save money, and make laundry easier.
Clean Your Washer
Clean your washer every 4 – 6 weeks. A lot of dirt passes through washing machines and some of it sticks in seams, holes, and on paddles. Eventually, it comes loose and sticks to your clothes–leaving them less than perfectly clean.
Aluminum Foil Dryer Sheets
Tear off two or three paper-sized sheets of aluminum foil, crumple them up, and throw them into the dryer with a load of laundry. They eliminate static and do not add extra material to the lint trap.
Stop Losing Socks – Use a Mesh Bag
It seems that everyone is looking for a sock that went missing last year. Wash and dry all socks in a mesh bag to keep them from disappearing. Consider separate mesh bags for each family member to further reduce sorting.
Buy One Pair of Socks
Find a style, type, or color of sock you like and buy several pairs. This eliminates sorting and saves time. And if one goes missing, it doesn’t matter. They all match.
Vinegar Fabric Softener
Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for soft clothes without residual chemicals. Vinegar also reduces static in clothing and helps keep the washing machine clean.
Let the Washer Air Out
Dark moist places are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Washing machines process lots of both that don’t always disappear down the drain. Leave the washer door open between loads to dry out the drum.
Ice Removes Wrinkles
If you left a load of laundry in the washer long enough to wrinkle, throw one or two ice cubes into the dryer when you transfer it. The ice creates steam in the dryer and clothes come out wrinkle-free.
Bluing
White clothing turns a little yellow or slightly gray with age and repeated washing. Add bluing to the wash cycle to turn them white again. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent stains. Bluing is inexpensive and available online.
Eliminate Drying Rack and Clothesline Creases
Install white foam plumbing pipe insulation on bars and/or clotheslines to prevent creases. The gentle round arc does not leave lines or stains. You can also use pool noodles. You just have to slit them lengthwise to fit over the rods and lines.
Use the Sun
Hang your clothes outside to dry. Sunlight makes whites whiter and kills germs that cause odor. Sun and air-dried laundry always smells better than clothes from a clothes dryer.
Roll Your Clothes
Rolling clothes instead of folding eliminates wrinkles and creases. It also saves space and, with a little organization, makes clothes easier to find–especially socks and underwear. Rolled bed sheets, pillowcases, and towels are easy to store and use.
Don’t Dry Wet Clothing On a Radiator
Don’t give in to the temptation of spreading wet laundry on the hot radiator. Radiators quick-dry clothing but also can shrink items, fade items, and you can promote mold growth on the dust in the radiator by adding moisture from wet clothes.
Wear Clothes More Between Washings
Some clothing needs to be washed after every wearing–such as underwear, socks, swimwear, t-shirts, and whites. Many articles of clothing can be worn more often between washings unless they are soiled or dirty. Here are some guidelines to consider.
- Bath Towels. Up to 5 uses.
- Pajamas. Three wearings.
- Jeans. Up to 5 wearings.
- Suit Pants and Skirts. Up to 6 wearings.
- Leggings/Yoga Pants. Two wearings.
Keep the Clothes Hamper Clean
Wipe down the clothes hamper regularly with white vinegar to eliminate odor and bacteria. Sweaty worn clothes usually smell bad enough without picking up extra odor from the hamper.
