Laundry...A Dirty Word

Photo: http://tinyurl.com/pkgxlcs

When it comes to household chores, laundry (albeit important) is often one of the least favorite on the list.  It is an endless cycle of wash, dry, wear, repeat.  To help make your laundry experience a little more pleasant, easier, and more efficient, here are some tips and tricks:

SORTING. Use hampers or laundry baskets to sort your laundry. This will keep the clothes up off the floor and make the piles easier to maneuver until it is time to toss a full load in the washer.

ADD A NOTE.  Use a dry erase marker to write on the lid of your washer reminders of any item(s) that needs to be hung up instead of tossed in the dryer.

ORGANIZE YOUR SPACE. Get a rolling cart and place in between your machines to store soaps, stain removers, button jars, dryer sheets, and more. Add shelving to the space above your machines or even consider placing your machines on shelves (you can opt for creating your own shelves or purchase the pedestals that go with your machine).

PUT IT IN A JAR.  Use an empty jar/bottle/cup for found items and buttons.

HANGING RODS. Not every laundry room has space for permanent drying lines. Use the back of your door or small corner of the room to install a valet rod OR install a hanging rod that has retractable lines OR install a curtain rod along the width of your room.

CLEAN YOUR MACHINE. Add 2 cups of vinegar to the basin filled with warm water. Let that sit for an hour, then run it through a regular cycle (no clothes inside). 

SWITCH IT UP. Soaps build up in your clothes over time, switch up the soap you buy and you will notice the difference. 

GIVE IT A BOOST. You can boost your detergent by adding 1/2 cup of white vinegar. This will help brighten your clothes plus the vinegar will help deodorize and get rid of static in the dryer. If you don't have vinegar, you can add a cup of baking soda to a load to help brighten colors and make whites more vibrant.

TREAT IT. Use a stain remover on those stubborn stains. Spray both the exterior and the interior of the item to ensure the entire stain will come out.  For tough grease stains rub the area with white chalk or baby powder.

SPEED UP DRYING. Toss in a couple of tennis balls with your load of wet clothes. Not only does this help the air to circulate, but it also makes items such as towels, blankets, and down-filled items fluffier.

CUT DOWN IRONING.  While there will still be items that need to be ironed/pressed, if you pull items from the dryer while they are still warm and hang them up, they shouldn't require an iron.