How to Do Your Laundry Better

How to Make Laundry Day Easier and More Efficient

Sort Smarter, Not Harder

Instead of sorting all your laundry on the day you wash, use separate hampers for different types of laundry—whites, colors, and delicates. This saves time and ensures you wash items at the right settings.

Don’t Overwash Your Clothes

Washing clothes too often can cause them to wear out faster. Unless they’re heavily soiled or sweaty, many garments—like jeans, sweaters, and jackets—can be worn multiple times before they need a wash.

Use the Right Detergent and Amount

More detergent doesn’t mean cleaner clothes. In fact, excess detergent can leave residue on fabric and build up in your washer. Use the recommended amount based on your load size and soil level.

Wash with Cold Water When Possible

Cold water is just as effective as hot water for most loads, and it prevents colors from fading while saving energy. Reserve hot water washes for heavily soiled items, towels, and bedding.

Don’t Overload the Washer

Cramming too many clothes into the washer can prevent them from getting properly cleaned and rinsed. Leave enough space so that clothes can move freely.

Shake Out Clothes Before Drying

Taking a moment to shake out damp clothes before tossing them into the dryer helps reduce wrinkles and speeds up drying time.

Use Dryer Balls or a Dry Towel

Wool dryer balls or even a dry towel can help separate clothes in the dryer, improving airflow and cutting down drying time. This also reduces static and helps soften clothes naturally.

Fold or Hang Clothes Immediately

To prevent wrinkles and reduce the need for ironing, fold or hang clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer.

By following these simple tips, laundry day can become less of a hassle and more of a smooth, efficient routine. Plus, your clothes will last longer and stay in better condition!

Before you wash

How to Load Your Washer the Right Way

It’s tempting to throw all your clothes into the washing machine and call it a day, but a little extra care can prevent damage, improve cleanliness, and extend the life of your clothing. Follow these steps to ensure everything gets washed properly.

Sort Your Laundry First

Sorting your laundry prevents colors from bleeding and ensures items receive the proper care:

• Separate by color: Keep whites, lights, and darks in different loads to avoid unwanted dye transfer.
• Group by fabric type: Wash towels and bedding separately from clothing to prevent lint transfer and ensure even drying.
• Consider soil level: Extra-dirty items should be washed separately to avoid spreading dirt and grime to lightly worn clothing.

To make sorting easier, you can use divided hampers, but sorting from a single laundry basket works just as well.

Check and Prep Each Item

Before tossing clothes into the washer, take a moment to inspect each piece:

• Read the care labels: Some items require cold water, delicate cycles, or even hand-washing.
• Check for damage: Loose threads, missing buttons, and weak seams can worsen in the wash.
• Empty pockets: Avoid disasters like ink stains, melted gum, or shredded tissues by checking pockets before washing.
• Zip up zippers and fasten hooks: This prevents zippers from snagging on delicate fabrics and keeps hooks from damaging other clothes.

Pretreat Stains

For the best chance at removing stains, take action before washing:

• Apply stain remover or liquid detergent directly to the affected area.
• Gently rub the fabric to help the solution penetrate the stain.
• Let it sit: Some stains need a few minutes, while others may benefit from soaking overnight (check product instructions for guidance).

Once everything is sorted, checked, and pretreated, you’re ready to load the washer the right way—ensuring cleaner clothes and fewer laundry mishaps!

In the washing machine

Maximizing Your Washing Machine’s Performance

Your washing machine is designed to handle the heavy lifting on laundry day, but using it properly ensures your clothes come out cleaner while extending the life of both your machine and your clothing.

Wash Smaller Loads for Better Results

It might seem efficient to stuff as many clothes as possible into the washer, but doing so actually creates more work in the long run. Here’s why:

• Clothes need space to move. Overloading prevents proper water and detergent distribution, leading to uneven cleaning.
• Detergent might not dissolve properly. This can leave residue on your clothes, making them feel stiff or soapy after washing.
• You’ll end up rewashing. If clothes aren’t fully cleaned, you may have to run another cycle, wasting time, water, and energy.

Avoid Overstuffing the Drum

Stuffing the washer beyond its capacity isn’t just bad for your laundry—it can damage your machine:

• Too much weight can unbalance the drum, leading to costly repairs or even a broken washer.
• Overloading strains the motor, which can reduce the lifespan of your machine.
• A general rule: Fill the drum no more than two-thirds full to allow for proper washing.

Use Less Detergent—2 Tablespoons or Less

Most people use too much detergent, but less is more when it comes to clean laundry:

• For standard loads (under 12 pounds): Use no more than 2 tablespoons of detergent.
• For extra-large loads or heavily soiled clothes: Add a little more, but increase only by 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Using too much detergent can leave residue on clothes, cause buildup in the washer, and make fabrics feel stiff.

Choosing the right detergent:

• Liquid detergent is best for everyday laundry and stain pretreatment.
• Enzymatic powder detergent with oxygen bleach works well for stubborn stains and odors.

Skip Fabric Softener

Fabric softeners might make clothes feel softer, but they come with downsides:

• They leave a coating on fabric, reducing breathability and absorbency (bad news for towels!).
• They can cause buildup in your washer, leading to musty smells over time.
• Alternative: Use white vinegar in the rinse cycle for a natural fabric softener that won’t leave residue.

Wash in Cold Water Whenever Possible

Cold water isn’t just gentler on fabrics—it’s also better for your wallet and the environment.

• Prevents fading and shrinking, making your clothes last longer.
• Saves energy, reducing your utility bill.
• Most modern detergents work great in cold water, even for odors and everyday dirt.

When to use warm or hot water:

• For oily stains (like grease or makeup), warm water helps break them down.
• For sanitizing (like bedding after an illness), hot water kills bacteria and dust mites.

By following these simple adjustments, you’ll get cleaner clothes, reduce wear on your washer, and avoid unnecessary rewashing—making laundry day a whole lot easier.

In the dryer

How to Prep Your Laundry for the Dryer

Before tossing your wet laundry into the dryer, take a moment to sort, check, and set up your load properly—this can help preserve fabrics, improve efficiency, and even prevent damage to your clothing and machine.

Separate Items That Need to Air-Dry

Some fabrics and garments don’t belong in the dryer, as high heat can shrink, weaken, or distort them. Be sure to pull out:

• Bras, workout clothes, and delicates – Heat can ruin elastic and moisture-wicking materials.
• Silk, wool, and linen items – These fabrics are prone to shrinking or losing their shape.
• Anything with delicate embellishments – Beads, sequins, and lace can melt or fray.

If you don’t have space for a clothesline, a foldable drying rack is a great alternative.

Clean the Lint Trap Before Every Load

A clogged lint trap reduces dryer efficiency and increases fire risk. Before starting your dryer:

• Remove the lint and debris. This helps airflow and prevents overheating.
• Check for buildup inside the lint compartment. Every few weeks, vacuum out any trapped lint.

Neglecting this step is one of the leading causes of dryer fires, so make it a habit.

Skip Dryer Sheets—They Leave Residue

Like liquid fabric softeners, dryer sheets leave a coating on clothes and the dryer drum, which can reduce a fabric’s ability to absorb moisture. This is especially problematic for:

• Towels – Dryer sheet residue makes them less absorbent.
• Performance fabrics – It interferes with moisture-wicking properties.
• Cloth diapers – The residue can reduce their effectiveness.

Alternatives to dryer sheets:

• Wool dryer balls – They reduce static and soften clothes naturally.
• Vinegar in the wash – This can help with softness and odor control without residue buildup.

Use the Lowest Heat Setting Possible

Excessive heat wears out fabric fibers and can lead to shrinkage or damage. To extend the life of your clothes:

• Use low or medium heat for regular laundry.
• Avoid the “high” setting unless absolutely necessary (like for heavy towels or thick work clothes).

Many dryers also have a “delicate” or “air-dry” setting for sensitive fabrics—use this when needed.

Dry Large Items on Low Heat (or Head to a Laundromat)

Comforters, blankets, and bulky items take longer to dry and need extra attention:

• Use low heat to prevent overheating.
• Pause the cycle periodically to fluff and redistribute the load. This prevents damp spots that can lead to mildew.

If your home dryer struggles with large items, consider using a laundromat. Their commercial machines are bigger, more powerful, and can dry bulky items much faster.

By following these steps, your laundry will last longer, dry more efficiently, and stay in better condition.

Don’t forget regular machine maintenance

How to Maintain Your Laundry Appliances for Better Performance and Longevity

Your washing machine and dryer handle loads of work for you, but without regular maintenance, they can develop odors, become less efficient, or even pose safety hazards. A little care goes a long way in keeping them running smoothly.

Clean Your Washing Machine Regularly

It might seem strange to wash your washing machine, but over time, detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, and trapped moisture can lead to musty smells and even mold growth.

How to Clean Your Washing Machine

• Wipe down the drum, door, and rubber seal – Use a damp cloth with a bit of vinegar or mild detergent to remove grime and mildew.
• Run a cleaning cycle on the hottest setting – Many washers have a built-in cleaning cycle; if yours doesn’t, run an empty load with:
  • White vinegar (2 cups) + baking soda (½ cup) – Helps remove odors and residue.
  • Or a washing machine cleaner tablet – Designed to break down buildup.
• Clean the detergent dispenser – Remove and rinse it under warm water to clear out any gunky residue.
• Leave the door open after washes – This helps air out moisture and prevents mildew.

How often? Clean your washing machine once a month if you do laundry frequently, or every few months if you wash less often.

Clean Your Dryer Vent to Prevent Fire Hazards

A clogged dryer vent is not just inefficient—it’s dangerous. Lint buildup reduces airflow, making your dryer work harder and increasing the risk of a fire.

How to Clean Your Dryer Vent

• Clean the lint trap before every load. This improves efficiency and helps clothes dry faster.
• Remove lint from the vent hose at least once a year. To do this:
  1. Unplug the dryer and pull it away from the wall.
  2. Detach the vent hose from the back of the dryer.
  3. Use a vacuum or dryer vent brush to clear out built-up lint inside the hose and vent opening.
  4. Reattach everything securely.

How often? Check your dryer vent annually, or more often if you notice your dryer taking longer than usual to dry clothes.

Check Hoses and Connections

Washing machine hoses can crack or burst over time, leading to water damage. Inspect them periodically:

• Look for bulges, cracks, or leaks in the hose.
• Replace hoses every 3-5 years to prevent unexpected failures.

For the dryer, also check the exhaust vent outside to ensure it’s clear and allowing air to flow freely.

Keep Your Laundry Room Clean and Well-Ventilated

• Vacuum behind and around appliances to clear out lint, dust, and debris.
• Ensure proper ventilation in your laundry area—this helps prevent mold, mildew, and excess humidity buildup.

Regular Maintenance Saves Time and Money

By keeping up with these simple cleaning and maintenance tasks, you can:
Prevent costly repairs
Extend the life of your appliances
Improve efficiency and reduce energy use
Reduce the risk of fire or water damage

A little effort now can save you from major headaches later!