My husband regularly and seriously tells me he thinks we should stop buying any items of clothing that need ironing. This is usually in the moment of one of us working through the ironing-needed pile, which is a serious time eater in our house. If I have a good audiobook or a show to watch while I iron, I don’t mind the chore, but it’s definitely one of my least favorite tasks.
I’ve told my husband altogether avoiding the clothes and items that need ironing just isn’t realistic. I’m a sucker for a cute collared blouse for my daughter. He needs button-up shirts for church. I’m not putting the tablecloth on the table looking like that. And if you’re trying to use and wear more natural fibers, like 100% cotton, linen or wool, instead of more synthetic materials, those pieces often need a little extra attention.
Laundry is just a fact of life. We all need clothes. Sleeping in clean bedding isn’t just cozy, it’s important for hygiene.
There is no one right way to do your laundry, but there are some rules and guiding principles for keeping your items in their best shape, your machines in good working condition, and your time in streamlined order.
So let the tasks on this list either remind you how much of a boss you are, or let them teach you how to make your life a little easier. By the end, you’ll know how to be a type-A laundry goddess.
The Never-Ending Cycle
In the spirit of full disclosure, there is currently a pile about four clean laundry loads overflowing in a hamper in my bedroom. All clean, washed, and dried but having a good, lazy rest before getting folded and sent to their proper places around the house.Â
As a full-time parent of several kids and a very messy baby, a working mom, and a spouse to a husband with a very busy profession (he’s a medical resident who works at least 60+ hours a week), I sometimes feel daunted by keeping up with the laundry.
I’ve never had the dreaded moment of my kids having no clean underwear. But finding that clean underwear in the pile that has yet to be folded can be akin to an archeological dig.
All that to say, sometimes I’m on top of it and rock the tips on this list. Sometimes I’m not. So take what works for you and leave the rest. We’re all just trying to make our lives feel a little more sane.
Fold or Hang Immediately
My mother-in-law has a counter in her laundry area, so whenever she finishes a load, she’ll dump it onto the counter and fold it right away. I’ve already outed myself that I’m not always good at doing this one, but if you fold or hang up your laundry straight from the dryer or off the clothes line, give yourself a pat on the back. It’s the easiest way to keep on top of the unending chore so nothing starts to pile up.
Follow a Set Routine Instead of Waiting for a Crisis
Wear Your Clothes More Than Once Between Washes
Babies and kids and (forgive me) smelly teenagers may only get one wear out of their clothes before they need to be washed. And better be a given that you always, always wash socks, underwear, and workout clothes immediately after the first wash.
Those jeans you just wore for a couple hours to the book group? No need to rewash. That sweater can probably go three or four wears before needing a wash too.
Not only does rewearing clean clothes cut down on extra loads, but it’s easier on your clothes and the planet.
Leave a Hand’s Width of Space in the Drum
Measure the Detergent
Sometimes when I’m starting a load and I worry about if I put in too much detergent, I think of that scene in the 1970s Freak Friday movie. Annabel has switched bodies with her mom and tries to start some laundry, but she absolutely stuffs the machine and dumps about half a box of powdered detergent on the top.Â
After only a few minutes after the load started, the machine is banging all around and overflowing with bubbles.
We don’t want that.
I think most people probably just eyeball their detergent, but to make sure you avoid mishaps, save money by not wasting your soap, and to make sure you clothes really get clean, measure out how much you use.
Actually Only Wash Like Colors Together
Sorting out your clothes may seem like an extra, unnecessary step, and sometimes you want to just stuff in all the clothes you have dirty and get on to the next thing. Sorting your laundry is important. Always separate whites from colors and darks, and consider fabrics too. Your workout gear may go in one load while towels go in the other.
Iron Your Clothes Before Putting Them Away
Know Which Items to Handwash
Treat Stains Right Away
The easiest way to keep stains from, well, staining, is to treat them right away. Different stains need different types of care. Here are some simple guidelines, and from there check what is best for the material and stain you’ve got in front of you:
- Always run cold water over fresh stains right away. Never use hot water, which will seal the stain permanently into the fabric.
- Blot! Use a damp cloth to dab at the stain instead of rubbing. Rubbing squishes the stain deeper into the fibers, making it harder to get out.Â
- Don’t put the item into the dryer before the stain is out. . . unless you’ve given it up as a lost cause and just don’t care anymore.
Consider using a stain remover like OxiClean MaxForce Spray or Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Stain Treater.
Use Dryer Balls
You could use dryer sheets, but dryer balls are really the way to go. The balls bounce between the different fabrics, helping to separate the pieces and improve the air circulation. That means you can cut down on drying time, and in turn, your energy bill. Plus, these balls are reusable, whereas dryer sheets only give you one use and then go straight in the trash.Â
The fake fragrances, softening agents, and waxy residue help coat your clothes to do the same job as dryer balls. But those chemicals can leave a residue that builds up over time in your dryer and on your clothes. Those same chemicals are also known for easily triggering skin irritation.
Turn ‘Em Inside Out
Do Up Zippers and Button Buttons
Did you ever read the Franklin books to your kids or grandkids? The cute ones about the young turtle? Almost all of the books start out with some phrase like, “Franklin could count by twos and tie his shoes. He could zip zippers and button buttons.”Â
Well, it’s time for us to be like the turtle.Â
Zipping up all zippers, closing up hooks, securing velcro, and buttoning up buttons keeps your clothes from ripping, and snagging. It also keeps your machine in better condition from scratches and small bits that might break off.
Use Mesh Bags
Use Cold Water
Wash Your Washing Machine
Wash Sheets on Their Own
Check Pockets Before Tossing In Your Items
Clear the Lint Trap Every Single Time
Photo: Ron Lach / Pexels
Have you seen the videos about young adults who didn’t know about cleaning out their lint trap. This one, with a literal brick of lint, makes me chuckle. You’ll probably be fine if you forget to clean out your lint trap every now and then, but it’s supposed to happen every time.
Cleaning your lint trap every time maximizes airflow, shortens the time needed to dry your fabrics, and prevents fires.
Try Borax
Know When to Dry Clean
Most items that need dry cleaning are special. I think of my long wool coat I got from my great grandmother. My husband’s favorite navy-blue suit. Your wedding dress or tux. That leather jacket.Â
You’d be devastated, or at least highly inconvenienced, if anything happened to those special items. It is not worth the risk of washing delicate materials yourself. Take your items to the professionals, who have access to special equipment and solvents and know how to carefully treat spots and stains on your items.
Finishing Up
Photo: Ron Lach / Pexels