11 Efficient Tools and Tricks to Conquer The Laundry

One in five Aussies spend more than 4 hours a week on their laundry! Lucky, we’re not about that life and we’re always on the lookout for innovative, time saving products and hacks, because there’s nothing quite like cleaning solutions to make life simpler and more efficient!

But just when you think you know every laundry tip in the book, you’ll come across a TikToker or Insta guru who shares their latest and greatest findings.

So, are you looking to level up your laundry game? We’ve scoured the internet and tried them ourselves to give you a foolproof guide to… laundry zen.

Here are our must-know tools and tricks to conquer your laundry once and for all.

1. Say goodbye to ironing

There’s nothing quite as painful as doing loads upon loads of laundry only to be met with the need to iron out those annoying creases. Whether you’re tasked with ironing school uniforms, work apparel, sheets – whatever, there are some laundry hacks you can employ to cut down on this household chore.

The first is to hang school uniforms, t-shirts or whatever usually sits on a hanger in your wardrobe as soon as you can once the washing stops. The quicker the better because leaving it longer leads to more creases. Make sure you give them a good shake beforehand and then simply hang them up straight onto the coat hanger. Worried you’ll get the marks in the shoulders? Nah – it’s not a thing don’t worry. Plus, you’ll also save time by putting them straight into your wardrobe once dry so no more double hanging.

2. Make your own creasing solution

While you can go out and purchase a wrinkle-releasing product, we’re all about budget-friendly hacks over here that allow you to utilise household items for the same results.

To make your own anti-wrinkle solution, simply fill a spray bottle with one part water to one part fabric softener. Make sure you shake it well and spray directly onto clothes to help relax the fabric after washing.

3. Declutter packed wardrobes

One of the leading causes of wrinkles is overcrowded wardrobes and cupboards. Instead of packing clothing into tightly packed spaces without any breathing room, try donating, storing or swapping out old clothing to make room for clothes you actually use. Or, opt for a capsule wardrobe for you and the kids.

While it can feel like a painful task, it’s actually relatively quick and easy to do!

4. Add a damp cloth or tennis ball to your dryer

This method has stood the test of time for a reason. If you use a tumble dryer, try adding a damp cloth to the drum for the last 10 minutes of the cycle. You can also throw in a tennis ball to the full cycle helping your clothing dry quicker. This allows for air to move freely around the dryer, preventing creases and wrinkling.  

5. Invest in a handheld steamer

While you may employ every trick in the book to prevent wrinkles, the truth is they simply can’t be avoided sometimes (linen shirts and silk skirts…!). Instead of whipping out your massive, heavy ironing board and iron during the morning rush, invest in a handheld steamer for quick and easy fixes.

Whether you purchase one outright or score one secondhand, handheld steamers can be a lifesaver for last-minute ironing jobs.

We love the Tefal Pure Pop Handheld Garment Steamer which is super for home or travelling.

6. Remove lingering odours and soften clothes with white vinegar

Nothing beats good ol’ white vinegar when it comes to removing lingering odours from clothing items. Whether you’re washing sweaty gym clothes or want to tackle clothing that’s fallen victim to poo explosions (which happens to the best of us) try adding a bit of white vinegar to your wash to get rid of the scent and soften your load!

Depending on how smelly your clothing is, we recommend adding ¼ to ½ cup of white vinegar to a top loader during the last rinse cycle or in the fabric softener compartment for a front loader at the beginning.

To eliminate the mega ‘damp’ smell from clothes, Aussie mums, including us, love this laundry sanitiser.

7. Use chalk or dishwashing liquid to treat grease stains

There’s nothing worse than ruining a favourite garment with grease or oil. To keep your clothes looking great, try keeping a bit of white chalk or a bit of dishwashing liquid in the kitchen to quickly tackle stains. Since they are ridiculously absorbent, we recommend rubbing a bit on stains as and when they happen before throwing it in the wash.

8. Invest in mesh laundry bags

One of the most painful aspects of doing the laundry is sorting out all the little people's clothing. From baby socks to little vests, trying to sort endless amounts of oddly shaped clothing items can add lots of time to this household chore. Not to mention countless missing songs (seriously where do they all go!?).

To save yourself the stress of organising, keep designated mesh laundry bags for specific items. Keep adult socks in one, and baby and child socks in another. These are also really handy for delicate items that you don’t want to get ruined by rubbing against other garments. Once laundry day comes around, simply throw the bag in the wash. That’s it! 

9. Make your own mega lint roller

Whether you’ve got a furry friend at home or want to look your best before work with crisp, clean apparel, it can often feel like you’re constantly buying lint rollers for clothing maintenance. While not only being wasteful and harmful to the environment, buying an endless supply of lint rollers can dent your wallet, too.

So why not make your own? Simply grab an old paint roller and some duct tape to create a large lint roller for both clothing and furniture. Simply wrap the tape around the roller sticky side out and start spinning.

10. Use the dryer at the laundromat

Recent trends show that Aussie mums have lightened the load by taking their wet laundry to laundromats and using commercial-sized dryers. In just 10 minutes, the laundry is dry, making it worth the trip and the few dollars spent each week, especially in pits of winter!

11. Remove pills with a fabric shaver

Want your clothes and cloth furniture to last longer and look better? Dry cleaning is expensive and often unnecessary with today’s cost of living. Remove those pesky pills with a fabric shaver, transforming your garments from drab to fab in minutes.

By incorporating these hacks into your routine, you can transform the seemingly endless laundry cycle into a more manageable, even satisfying task. So go ahead, give these tips a try, and find your way to laundry zen!