10 Laundry Hacks That Will Simplify Your Life

Do you have any idea what the most loathed household chore is? If you said laundry, you are right. Not only is it time-consuming (particularly if you tend to neglect getting it done regularly), but the mere thought of having to fold everything afterwards is off-putting enough to turn anyone into a laundry procrastinator. We’ve put together a list of 10 laundry hacks that you can use to clean the most stubborn stains and refresh your most dirty clothes.

Never Lose Socks Again

Ah, the lost sock. Though used frequently in observational humour, the frustration and mystery associated with the one missing sock is just one of the things that drives us crazy when doing laundry. Fortunately, making sure you end up with the same number of socks before and after your wash cycle doesn’t require a whole lot; a mesh laundry bag will do the trick. These bags are perhaps more commonly used to wash delicate items, but it works just as well for socks.

Use Hairspray and Hand Sanitizer to Get Ink Stains Out

If you currently only use hand sanitizer to remove germs after being out in public you’ll be happy to learn that there’s another use for it.  You can use it to get ink stains out of your clothing. If you don’t typically use hand sanitizer, hairspray is a good substitute. Simply spray or squirt your unorthodox stain fighter of choice.  Let it sit for about ten minutes before throwing it in the wash.

Simple Tricks to Remove Red Wine

Tips for getting wine stains out of your clothes are almost as old as time. Club soda is usually the go-to solution. If you don’t typically keep club soda in your home, there are a number of other ingenious ways to tackle these stubborn stains. A word to the wise – in order for most of these methods to work, they need to be addressed ASAP.

• Salt — If the stain is still wet, pour a generous amount of salt on the stain to absorb the liquid.
• Milk — Blot the stain with a paper towel and then cover with milk. Let it sit for about an hour or so before washing the garment.
• Kitty litter — Like salt, sprinkle a generous amount of litter over the stain. This will absorb the pigment.

Soak Clothes in Water and Hair Conditioner if They’ve Shrunk

In the event that your clothes actually did shrink during a wash (and the second helpings of grandma’s famous meat lasagna isn’t to blame) you can restore an item’s elasticity simply by soaking it in a combination of lukewarm water and hair conditioner for about 15 minutes. Remove the item from the solution, place it on a towel, and pat it dry. Pull it lightly to stretch the material to the dimensions you’re more familiar with.

Use Chalk or Dawn Dish Soap to Remove Grease Stains

If you never thought of chalk as an absorbent compound, you likely aren’t alone. If you’ve inadvertently introduced grease to your shirt or pants and have some (white) chalk lying around, rub the chalk on the stain and witness its absorbing prowess. Once absorbed, the stain will be much easier for the laundry soap to remove. If you don’t have any chalk laying around, you can treat the grease stain with Dawn dish soap prior to washing to help get the stain out.

Add Vinegar to Make Your Clothes Smell Better

If some of your items (like gym clothes or towels) are particularly pungent, add some white vinegar to the wash at the beginning of the wash cycle to supplement your detergent’s odour fighting abilities (about one cup will do it). There’s an added bonus to adding vinegar to your loads. Vinegar acts as a natural laundry softener even for those who have hard water, so even if you aren’t trying to get a strong smell out of your clothes, a bit of vinegar when washing your clothes never hurts.

 Use a High-Efficiency Washer to Save Money on Water and Hydro Costs

If you’re in the market for a new washing machine appliance, it’s worth it in the long run to pick one that has taken energy efficiency into account. Energy efficient models are typically a bit more expensive, but they do use less water and less electricity to operate, something that is reflected immediately in your monthly utility bills.

Use Essential Oils to Keep Your Clothes Smelling Fresh

Fabric softeners may smell nice, but they’re a mixture of several different ingredients that may irritate those with sensitive skin. If you’re looking for an equally pleasant smelling alternative, you can mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle and spritz your clothes before washing them. Not only will your clothes come out smelling great, but it’s also a much more inexpensive way to go about it!

Add Tennis Balls When Drying Pillows and Comforters

Pillows and blankets are notoriously difficult items to dry. Simplify the process by adding two or three clean tennis balls to your dryer to help expedite the drying process. Doing so will have the added bonus of making sure your bedding comes out of the dryer nice and fluffy.

Do Away with Embarrassing Armpit Stains

Many people think that armpit stains are a sign to retire the article of clothing. Fortunately, by combining a few common household items, sweat stains can be a thing of the past. Simply combine grease-cutting dish soap and hydrogen peroxide. This gentle chemical blend will dissolve the stain, allowing a normal wash cycle to life the stain from the clothes.

The Internet is full of great laundry tips. This list of laundry hacks has just barely scratched the surface. Hopefully, these tips will not only keep your clothes looking their best for longer, but they’ll also help you get excited about this task.