21 Best Laundry Hacks of All Time

1. How to wash socks with a mesh laundry bag

Mesh laundry bags will take your laundry organization to the next level!

Sock mates will never be separated again with this method. I use one mesh bag per person in the family if there are socks from multiple people in a load. When I do our loads by person, I only need one bag for all their socks.

Use mesh laundry bags for cloth masks too! We have a bag dedicated just to washing cloth masks. I hang them up when they’re clean. Dirty masks go right into the bag (which lives in the laundry room). No more searching the house for a clean mask.

2. How to make your own laundry detergent pods

These things are life savers!

Simply mix together some liquid dish soap, Borax, and baking soda. Then put them into an ice cube tray and voila! You’ve got your very own laundry detergent pods.

3.How to pretreat stains with shaving cream

This is a great way to get those tough stains out without having to use harsh chemicals.

Simply apply some shaving cream to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wash as usual. The shaving cream will help break down the stain so that it comes out in the wash.

4. Use a dry erase marker to help you remember what can’t go into the dryer

We’ve all been there…

Trying to remember which clothes need to be hung up to dry and which ones can go into the dryer. To make things easier, simply use a dry erase marker to write on the tags of the clothes that can’t go into the dryer. That way, you’ll always know which ones need to be hung up.

5. Get an oil stain out of your clothing using baby powder

This hack is so simple and it really works!

Just sprinkle some baby powder onto the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then brush it off. The powder will absorb the oil and leave your clothing looking good as new.

6. Strip laundry

If your clothes are looking a little dingy, stripping them might be the answer.

Stripping is when you remove all of the built up detergent, fabric softener, and body oils from your clothing. It sounds complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. Just add a cup of distilled white vinegar to your wash cycle. The vinegar will break down all of the build up and leave your clothes looking and feeling fresh.

7. Soften clothes with vinegar

This is another great use for vinegar.

If you have a load of laundry that’s come out a little stiff, just add a half cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. The vinegar will soften the clothes and leave them looking and feeling great. Plus, it’s a natural fabric softener so you’ll be doing your clothing a favor.

8. Get wrinkles out of clothes with ice

Fill a spray bottle with water and add a few drops of fabric softener.

Freeze overnight and voila! You have your own DIY wrinkle releaser. Just spritz on your clothes and smooth away the wrinkles.

9. Make your own dryer sheets using a towel and fabric softener

Simply take an old towel and cut it into small squares.

Add a few drops of your favorite fabric softener to each square and toss them in the dryer with your clothes.

10. Get cheap laundry detergent using coupons and deals

Check the Sunday paper for coupons or head to your favorite store’s website to see if they have any current deals on laundry detergent.

You can usually find a good deal if you look around! Plus, you can always buy in bulk to save even more money.

11. Use only this much laundry detergent on one load

If you’re using a HE (high efficiency) washing machine, you only need to use about ½ cup of detergent per load.

That’s right, half a cup!

If you’re using a non-HE machine, use about ¾ cup per load.

12. Hang sweaters so they don’t stretch out or fall off hangers

Get those pesky sweaters off your shoulders and onto hangers where they belong with this easy hack.

All you need is a pair of pantyhose! Cut the hose at the knee, then slip the toe over the neck of the hanger and pull it down over the shoulders of the sweater. Voila! Your sweater will stay put and keep its shape.

13. Make laundry smell good using Ziploc bags and your freezer

Toss those stinky gym clothes into a Ziploc bag and pop them in the freezer for a few hours before washing.

This will help kill any bacteria that’s causing the odor. You can also add a sachet of lavender or your favorite essential oil to the bag for a boost of freshness.

14. Deep clean your lint trap using a pillowcase and paint stirring stick

Over time, lint builds up in your lint trap and can cause your dryer to work less efficiently.

But you can easily clean it with this hack! Just put a pillowcase over the lint trap and secure it with a rubber band. Then, use a paint stirring stick to reach down and scrape off the lint. It’s quick, easy, and effective.

15. Get rid of armpit stains with baking soda and lemon juice

Baking soda is a great natural stain remover and lemon juice is an excellent natural bleaching agent.

So, when you combine the two, you’ve got a powerful stain-fighting duo! Just mix together equal parts baking soda and lemon juice and apply it to the armpit stains on your shirt. Let it sit for a few minutes before laundering as usual.

16. Use aluminum foil as a dryer sheet

If you’re out of dryer sheets and don’t have time to run to the store, no problem!

Just grab some aluminum foil and crumple it up into a ball. Then, throw it in the dryer with your wet clothes. The foil will help to reduce static and leave your clothes feeling soft and looking great. Plus, it’s reusable so you can use it over and over again.

17. Dry clothes faster using a towel

Wet clothes can take forever to dry, especially if you’re line drying them.

But there’s a hack for that! Simply put a dry towel in with your wet clothes and they’ll dry much faster.

18. Clean your iron with dryer sheets

If your iron is looking a little grimy, don’t worry.

You can easily clean it with a dryer sheet. Just turn on the iron and run the dryer sheet over the soleplate. The dirt and grime will come right off!

19. Hang clean shirts quickly

If you’re always running late in the morning, this hack is for you.

Hang your clean shirt on a hanger and then put it in the freezer for a few minutes. The cold will help to remove any wrinkles, so you’ll be able to just grab and go!

20. Cleaning your laundry machine

Over time, your laundry machine can start to smell.

This is usually because of all the detergent and fabric softener buildup. To clean it, simply run a cycle with hot water and vinegar. The vinegar will help break down the buildup and freshen up your machine.

21. Use items you probably have on hand

No need to go out and buy special cleaners for these tips.

Vinegar, baking soda, and lemons are all you need to get your clothes looking and smelling great!

So what are you waiting for? Try these hacks today and see how much easier doing the laundry can be! Your clothes will thank you. Trust us.