Laundry is an unavoidable chore, but it doesn’t have to be a hassle. With a few clever tricks, you can save time, money, and even prolong the life of your clothes. Here are some tried-and-true laundry hacks that every household should know.
Contents
- 1. Unshrink Clothes with Hair Conditioner
- 2. Make Clothes Softer with Vinegar
- 3. Dry Laundry Faster with Towels
- 4. Whiten Whites with Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
- 5. Get Clean White Shoes with Baking Soda and Dish Soap
- 6. Remove Wrinkles with Ice Cubes
- 7. Make Clothes Smell Fresh with Essential Oils
- 8. Get Soft, Fluffy Towels with Baking Soda and Vinegar
- 9. Remove Stains with a DIY Spray
- 10. Deep Clean Pillows
1. Unshrink Clothes with Hair Conditioner
Shrunk your favorite sweater? Don’t worry. Mix warm water with a generous amount of hair conditioner, soak the garment, and gently stretch it back to its original size. This hack works wonders for delicate fabrics like wool and cotton.
2. Make Clothes Softer with Vinegar
Instead of buying fabric softeners, use white vinegar. Add half a cup to your washing machine’s rinse cycle. It softens clothes naturally, reduces static, and even removes detergent residue.
3. Dry Laundry Faster with Towels
Want to speed up drying time? Throw a clean, dry towel into the dryer with your wet clothes. The towel will absorb excess moisture, cutting down drying time.
4. Whiten Whites with Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Brighten dingy whites without harsh chemicals. Mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of hydrogen peroxide, and add it to your wash. This combo safely lifts stains and restores brightness.
5. Get Clean White Shoes with Baking Soda and Dish Soap
Restore your white sneakers to their original glory. Mix a paste of baking soda and dish soap, scrub it onto the shoes with a toothbrush, and rinse. They’ll look as good as new.
6. Remove Wrinkles with Ice Cubes
Skip the ironing! Toss a couple of ice cubes into the dryer with wrinkled clothes. The steam generated by the melting ice will release the wrinkles.
7. Make Clothes Smell Fresh with Essential Oils
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a damp cloth and toss it in the dryer. Lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus oils will leave your laundry smelling divine.
8. Get Soft, Fluffy Towels with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Over time, towels can lose their softness. Wash them with a cup of baking soda and then run a second rinse with a cup of vinegar. This removes detergent buildup and restores fluffiness.
9. Remove Stains with a DIY Spray
Create a homemade stain remover by mixing equal parts of water, white vinegar, and dish soap. Spray it on stains before washing for an effective, budget-friendly solution.
10. Deep Clean Pillows
Keep pillows fresh and fluffy by washing them with a mix of baking soda and detergent. Check care labels, and use the gentle cycle with warm water to remove odors and allergens.
With these laundry hacks, you’ll save money on products, extend the life of your clothes, and make laundry day a breeze. Which hack will you try first?
