3 Effective Tips to Reduce Laundry Time and Effort

Do you often find yourself staring at towering piles of laundry? For many, this task tends to be overlooked, but what if you could actually reduce the frequency of doing laundry?

With a bit of expert advice, you can effectively cut down your laundry duties. Key strategies include washing full loads, organizing your laundry properly, and mastering spot cleaning techniques.

3 Effective Tips to Reduce Laundry Time

1. Wash Full Loads

This may seem straightforward, yet many people tend to wash partial loads, wasting energy and resources. This approach doesn't align with best practices for efficient laundry routines.

Rechelle Balanzat, a laundry expert, highlights the importance of utilizing your washer's full capacity. 'Running your machine fully loaded maximizes efficiency, conserving water, energy, and detergent,' she explains.

'You'll end up washing less often and accomplish more in each cycle.'

Filling your machine to capacity can also help you dodge common laundry pitfalls and save energy during washes.

For larger loads, Rechelle recommends the Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy 10x Duty Liquid Laundry Detergent from Walmart, which is ideal for mixed loads.

2. Sort Laundry Efficiently

Wondering if you need to separate your laundry? It's a crucial step that shouldn't be ignored if you want to minimize the number of loads. Sorting by color and fabric prevents damage and reduces the need for frequent washing.

Rechelle advises that 'Sorting by color and material helps maintain your clothes' longevity, ensuring they remain fresh and wearable.' Your cherished items will last longer and require less frequent cleaning.

To streamline the process, Sherry Berkley, another laundry expert, suggests sorting as you go. 'Have everyone sort their laundry as they discard it into three hampers for whites, darks, and items needing stain treatment.'

For those with kids, consider a separate hamper for pink and red items. This strategy simplifies laundry day!

3. Spot Clean Between Wears

If you're familiar with stain removal techniques, you know that not every item requires a complete wash. In fact, Sherry warns, 'Surprisingly, around 70% of laundry could skip a full cycle.'

Instead, Rechelle recommends treating minor stains rather than tossing whole garments into the hamper. This leads to less laundry and extends the lifespan of your clothes.

Begin by identifying the stain type, as each responds best to a specific cleaning method. Sherry suggests using homemade solutions like a hydrogen peroxide and water mix or a diluted dish soap for common stains.

If you prefer ready-to-use options, Rechelle recommends the Tide Stain Remover for Clothes available at Amazon, while Sherry suggests the OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover Spray, also available at Amazon.

Remember to follow label instructions for the best results, rinse the area, and let it air dry.

Additionally, as Rhonda Wilson, a quality lead cleaner, suggests, using a lint roller like the popular Scotch-Brite Lint Roller Twin Pack from Walmart can be handy. Sometimes, lint or pet hair can make clothes look dirty without actually needing a wash.

What to Shop

All prices were accurate at the time of publication.

This eco-friendly laundry basket is made from high-quality water hyacinth woven wicker, featuring a removable liner, integrated handles, and a lid to keep your dirty laundry out of sight.

This laundry detergent eliminates 99% of common allergens, is free from perfumes and dyes, and is tough on stains while gentle on skin.

'More enzymes equals less washing: Stains come out the first time with a detergent that has stain-fighting enzymes,' Sherry notes. 'One load should suffice, as you definitely don't want to rewash clothes that remain dirty.'