There are days when I don’t think the laundry will ever end. Hence, my need to share some basic laundry tips that have gotten me through this somewhat tedious chore that has to get done.
(It’s either that or you just keep buying underwear, socks, outfits, etc. in denial. Eventually, you HAVE to do laundry!)
Tip #1: Stains
Take care of any stains as soon as you can to prevent them settling into the fibers of your clothing! The sooner you treat it, the better the chance of it coming out.
Tip #2: Multiple Laundry Baskets
This may sound a bit over-the-top, but I highly recommend multiple laundry baskets. I have one for each of the following:
- Dark colored items
- White items
- Light colored items
- Delicates
It may sound a bit like overkill, but if you separate your clothing when you take them off, it is one less thing you have to do on laundry day.
Don’t make the entire family’s underwear pink because of that one red shirt that somehow ended up with the whites.
Tip #3: Your Detergent is Everything
The detergent you use is super important for a variety of reasons!
It has to work, first and foremost. I’ve used detergents in the past that performed just like washing in hot water alone – no
What would you say if I told you I was recently introduced to a 100% organic all-in-one laundry sheet? I can understand if you wouldn’t initially believe me, but I was and I tried it, AND I love it!
Dreambly’s 6-in-1 laundry and dryer sheet does what it says it does:
- I love that it is 100% organic – no nasty chemicals are being used to wash my family’s clothing. All ingredients are certified “CleanGredients” by the EPA
- The sheet itself is USDA certified 100% biodegradable!
- It is free of any perfumes or dyes – perfect for your baby’s clothing as well as family members with skin sensitivities.
- The sheets are compatible with all machines – including my HE washer and dryer.
- Use Dreambly to pre-treat stains – the perfect solution with regard to tip #1 above!
- It safely replaces your detergent, stain remover (pre-treatment and in-wash), whitener, softener, brightener, and anti-static dryer sheet!
- Who doesn’t love that it is infused with essential oils?
Dreambly’s sheet has outperformed industry leaders – score!
I used to use Tide Pods for HE washers.
The boys also love that there is only one thing to remember when helping me with the laundry. One sheet does it all!
I’m not the first to experience this frustration-saving product! It has been written up in publications such as Parents, Real Simple, Esquire, Hearst, PopSugar, and InStyle.
You can purchase the sheets right from their website! I recommend also checking out their dryer balls and essential oil combo. The dryer balls reduce dry time by about 20-25%!
Having one product that can replace 6 products?! Having a product that makes the daunting task of laundry more pleasant?! I totally recommend Dreambly – what do you think?!
Tip #4: Schedule Your Laundry Days
I schedule out the days I am going to do laundry. It can deviate based on the boys’ baseball and soccer game schedules, but for the most part, I do all laundry on Mondays and Thursdays.
Tip #5: You Don’t Have to Wash Your Clothing After Each Wear
You may not believe this, but there are people that NEVER wash their denim jeans. They feel that the worn softness adds character to the jeans. I wonder what they do if they spill something on them!
People wear undershirts to help keep their tops fresh. As long as the item isn’t soiled or has an odor, you may be able to get away with hanging it back in your closet until the next time you wear it.
Tip #6: Read the Labels
Although it may sound somewhat annoying, it is important to read the labels before you pop your new garment into the washer. I’ve made that mistake a BUNCH of times and have regretted it.
By taking the time to read the icons, you may be saving yourself from shrinking your clothes.
Tip #7: Get the Kids Involved
My boys are at the age when they need to start learning how to care for themselves and their belongings. It wasn’t easy to get them on board with helping with the laundry, but you have to start at some time, right?
Folding is a bit daunting for them, but I fold alongside them and cheer them along (and I may refold some items when they aren’t looking but that’s my OCD).
Sock matching has been the easiest task for them to help with. It’s funny when we get to the bottom of the sock basket and they notice there are some “loners” there. They truly believe there is a sock monster that steals the missing sock. That, or they are too lazy to look under their beds or in their closet for where they flung the mate.
Cristina Petrini says
The point of the labels I have to admit that I needed, for me it is really an alien language all those little symbols that seem out of Roswell xD
Dana says
LOLOL Cristina! I know, they seemed that way to me at first too! I just look at them to make sure that the item is machine washable and if it can or cannot go in the dryer!
kumamonjeng says
You have great laudry tips and I love the idea of getting the kids involved. At least start with the easiest task such as sock matching, this can be very frustrating. I usually can’t find the other half of the socks when I do laundry, so asking the kids for help would be fun for them and at the same time ease my frustration. LOL
Dana says
Exactly! Having the little ones learn a bit of responsibility and ease frustration is so helpful!
1stepfurther says
Love your tips..it is only me and my Husband in our household, but I never understand how come we are always able to fill up a big laundry basket only within 2 days..so, I feel like I am doing laundry everytime, your tips about scheduling a laundry day seems to make a lot of sense..thanks for sharing 🙂
Dana says
It’s amazing how the laundry piles up, right?! I’m glad my post was helpful!
Courtney says
This was great to read. I do not have kids yet, so luckily I have it a bit easier doing laundry for just me. However I still found these tips useful. I like to use organic laundry detergent and sheets too. I have not tried those ones you recommend, maybe I will give them a shot next time 🙂
Dana says
Courtney, I highly recommend trying them out! To have one product replace 6 is so helpful when you’re doing laundry!
matthew says
I love this post, perfectly written. Great laundry Tips. I love the fact you mentioned that people are not supposed to wash their clothes after each wear as i do this with some of my Jeans for longevity.
Dana says
Thank you, Matthew! I learned that each time you wash your clothing, it wears a tiny bit away at the fabric. Longevity is key!
Janay says
These are really good tips. I often get a stain on a shirt and just leave it in my dirty clothes bin until it’s time to wash. Then once I was the stain is permanent. Also not washing your clothes everyday is a good tip as well. I find you can wear jeans twice before washing.
Dana says
I agree about the denim washing! 🙂
Gavin says
I defo don’t wash my clothes after every wear – some I do but it would be kinda gross if I didnt wash those ones
Liz Hugen says
I agree with all of these tips! Reading the labels is so important because otherwise you can ruin the garment!
Dana says
I’ve done it way too many times 🙂
Tasheeni says
These tips are v. helpful! I definitely needed this considering that I’m a student and have been living away for quite some time. I always find myself with a huge amounts of clothes to wash during the weekends.
Dana says
Thank you, Tasheeni! I hope the tips helped!
Camille Cams says
Thanks for the amazing laundry tips! My mom usually do the laundry, and I was the one to cook and wash the dishes.
Dana says
My pleasure, Camille!
Rachel says
Great tips for laundry here! I always find it seems never-ending in my house so these tips will certainly help!
BMB says
I haven’t stopped doing laundry in 18 years! I do at least one load every day.
Dana says
One a day?! That’s a lot!
Dominique Brooks says
These are great tips! I love the one about different baskets. I sort my clothes but everyone else in my family dumps everything in at once and washes them all together at one temperature. It drives me crazy!
I will have to check out this product — it would make my life so much easier.
Bismah-Bonnie says
Wonderful list of helpful tips to keep handy. I have two little boys who enjoy helping out with the laundry. I especially like that you included treating stains as soon as possible otherwise. Sometimes I forget to do this and it becomes very time consuming and difficult when I do it later.
Dana says
Agreed, and I love that your boys like to help you out 🙂
Jennifer Tanney says
Those Dreambly sheets sound really helpful. I tend to throw it all in and hope it all comes out okay. My husband is actually better at it than I am. I really should start reading the labels.
Dana says
Jennifer, I am with you on having to really be good about reading the labels!