Everyone loves having fresh, clean clothes, but it's the steps getting to that point that can drive you nuts. People everywhere spend more time, money and sanity than they need to on doing laundry, and at a certain point, enough is enough. Luckily, learning some tips and tricks can help keep you sane when it's time to wash, dry and fold.
Wash only dirty items
Sometimes it seems easier to toss articles of clothing into the laundry basket immediately after wearing them, but chances are not everything you're washing needs to be washed. Besides socks and undergarments, any clothing that hasn't been spilled on or sweated in can probably withstand another wearing or two before going in the wash. The result? Less laundry, which means you're wasting less water, time and money.
Wash in cold water
Sick of sorting endless mounds of clothing into piles of like colors? You can probably get away with washing most or all of your clothing in a cold wash, thanks to today's high-efficiency washing machines. Aside from whites that you want to be blindingly white, or brand-new clothing in bright colors, try throwing everything together and using the "cold" setting. This practice allows you to wash fewer loads, saves you sorting time and cuts down on your heating bills (depending on how your water is heated).
Make sock matching easy
Here's a method for dealing with sock-matching woes, as long as you don't mind a lack of variety between your feet and shoes. Assign each member of your household a certain color, pattern or type of socks that is uniquely theirs, with a bonus if they're the same exact brand. This allows you to easily identify the owner of each sock: pink socks belong to Suzie and white crew socks belong to Jack. It also makes matching a breeze.
When looking for a handy houseful of storage solutions, look no further than the basics. Any home in need of de-cluttering can benefit from strategically placed baskets, ho...click here for more. |
When you fold laundry the right way you reduce the amount of time you will have to spend ironing it. |
Follow these simple laundry tips to sort, pre-treat and choose the best water temperature. |
The many uses of baking soda in the laundry room |
Some people shy away from purchasing silk clothing because they assume that this fabric is too difficult to care for. |
Homemade laundry detergent is the best way to ensure that toxins aren't finding their way into your clothes or your ecosystem. |
If you know how to shrink jeans, you can salvage a pair that's too big. |
Curtains should not be neglected and should be cleaned as often as possible. |
Guides to laundry and clothing care including top secret tips, storage solutions, cleaning various fabrics and more. |
Suede is an expensive and lavish material, but it is delicate and prone to wear. It is important to know how to clean suede to keep it looking lovely in the times to come. |
How to acid wash denim. Although early acid wash denim featured a mostly uniform color, today's styles tend to be more random with an almost tie-dyed look. Getting started is easy with a little help |
Proper methods for clothing storage depend on the specific materials and the pest or moisture level of your location. |
Learn common laundry symbols and never ruin another expensive wool sweater. |
If you know how to stone wash jeans yourself, you can save a few dollars on "distressed" jeans at the department store. |
What is washing soda, anyway? Is it baking soda? No. It is far more caustic and effective. |
Learning how to bleach blue jeans will let you turn an old pair of dark denim into a stylish "new" addition to your wardrobe. |
You may want to think twice before you take clothes to your regular dry cleaners and consider green dry cleaning instead. |
Whichever type of hat you choose, proper hat care will keep it looking sharp. |
How to wash a down comforter. The delicate feathers of a down comforter require special handling. Find out how to care for it safely. |
As more people become unemployed, begin retirement or fall into other circumstances with reduced incomes, the idea of saving money gains momentum. Yet, while many people wo...click here for more. |
Cleaning leather clothing will prolong its life and keep it looking sharp. |
Learning how to do laundry is a memorable moment in anybody's life. Allow us to share yours with you. |
Learning how to shrink clothes is a great way to save your wardrobe-and your money. |
Whether you're short on closet space or you simply prefer a more organized closet, storing seasonal clothing is a great way to make room for your current wardrobe. It's also a...click here for more. |
Tips to keep your laundry bright, white and smelling fresh. |
Dryer vent cleaning isn't just for looks. It will keep your house from going up in flames. |
Learning how to shrink shirts is a skill that can help save some of those shirts you never wear anymore. |
Cleaning silk ties is best left to the professionals, but, when disaster strikes, you must act fast. |
