Let’s get real—laundry is repetitive, boring, and easy to screw up. But if you know the right shortcuts, you can cut time, save money, and keep your clothes looking brand new. This isn’t fluff. These are practical hacks people are actually using, and most of them are either free or dirt cheap. Here’s everything you wish someone had told you sooner.
Freeze Your Jeans Instead of Washing
Washing denim too often is how you ruin the fit and fade the color. Instead, fold your jeans, put them in a sealed bag, and leave them in the freezer overnight. It kills bacteria and removes odors. This method works especially well for raw or dark denim. Do this every few wears, and only wash them when absolutely needed.
White Vinegar Is a Game-Changer
Fabric softener might smell good, but it coats your clothes in waxy chemicals that ruin absorbency and can trigger skin irritation. Instead, pour half a cup of distilled white vinegar into your washing machine’s rinse cycle. It naturally softens fabric, removes soap buildup, neutralizes odors, and helps prevent fading. No artificial fragrance, no residue—just clean clothes.
Use Wool Dryer Balls, Not Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are trash for your clothes and your dryer. Switch to wool dryer balls. They reduce static, soften clothes naturally, and cut drying time by up to 25%. Want scent? Add a few drops of essential oil. They’re reusable for months and don’t leave chemical residue behind.
Mesh Bags Save Delicates
Every time you wash a bra or lace underwear without a mesh bag, you’re shortening its life. Mesh laundry bags keep delicate fabrics from stretching or tearing and help prevent tangling in the wash. Use them for socks, too, if you’re tired of losing one every time.
Ice Cubes Erase Wrinkles in the Dryer
Don’t want to iron? Toss two or three ice cubes into the dryer with your wrinkled shirt or pants. Run it on high heat for 10 minutes. The melting ice turns into steam, and the wrinkles vanish. Works best on lightweight fabrics like cotton or poly blends.
Use Salt to Lock In Color
Worried about fading colors? Add 1/2 cup of salt to the wash the first time you launder new clothes. It helps fix dye to the fabric and prevents bleeding. This works best with cotton, especially for dark items like black jeans and shirts.
Strip Your Laundry for a Deep Clean
Laundry stripping isn’t just a TikTok trend—it works. Mix hot water with washing soda, borax, and detergent. Let your clothes soak for 4–6 hours, then run a rinse cycle. You’ll be shocked at the dirty water left behind. This pulls out body oils, fabric softener residue, and years of built-up grime from towels, sheets, and gym clothes.
Clean Your Washing Machine with Dishwasher Tablets
Your washing machine isn’t self-cleaning. Toss in two dishwasher tablets and run a hot, empty cycle. It strips away mold, detergent scum, and funky smells from the drum. Do this once a month for best results.
Air Dry on Hangers to Cut Ironing Time
Don’t want to spend hours ironing shirts? Take them out of the washer, shake them flat, and hang them up damp on a hanger. Smooth wrinkles with your hands and let gravity finish the job. This works especially well for button-ups and lightweight tops.
Shave Pills Off Sweaters
Sweater looking tired? Grab a fabric shaver or a cheap razor and gently shave off the pills. It instantly makes sweaters, hoodies, and joggers look brand new. Don’t overdo it—just skim the surface.
Use Baking Soda to Boost Detergent
Add a quarter cup of baking soda to your detergent. It boosts cleaning power, fights odors, and softens water—especially helpful if you live in a hard water area. Your whites will look brighter and your clothes won’t trap smells as easily.
Skip the Dryer for Elastic Items
Elastic breaks down faster in high heat. Don’t throw yoga pants, underwear, or anything with stretch into a hot dryer. Air drying will keep them fitting like new for longer. This also applies to swimwear and sports bras.
Wash Inside Out to Protect Prints
Turn printed tees and jeans inside out before washing. It reduces fading, preserves designs, and helps prevent surface damage from the drum. Same for anything with embroidery or patches.
Keep Socks Together With a Clip
Sick of missing socks? Use a simple clip or safety pin to keep each pair together in the wash. You’ll never spend 10 minutes looking for a match again. Laundry doesn’t have to be a scavenger hunt.
Outsource It When It Makes Sense
Not every load is worth your time. If you’re dealing with bulky bedding, specialty fabrics, or a mountain of laundry after a trip, get help. Using reliable laundry in London can save your sanity and give you pro-level results. They handle everything from pickup to drop-off while you do literally anything else.
Final Word: Stop Overcomplicating It
Laundry isn’t hard. You just need the right tools, a little knowledge, and a few time-saving tricks. Most of these hacks cost next to nothing and take seconds to do—but they add years to your clothes and hours back into your life. Use what works, ditch what doesn’t, and don’t let laundry run your week.
