This post on laundry tips has been sponsored by Global Influence. All words and opinions are my own.
When I was in middle school it always seemed like the one thing I wanted to wear was in the wash. Being a hormonal preteen, I couldn’t understand what the big deal was about just doing the laundry already. That is, until I was married and had a houseful of laundry of my own to stay on top of.
There are days I feel like some of that laundry could march itself into the washing machine unassisted. My husband’s outdoors-work clothes, Bubbles’ did-you-eat-the-mac-and-cheese-or-bath-in-it clothes, even Austin’s workout clothes (if you thought teenage boys’ clothes smell bad, try them after two hours of lifting weights at the gym). They also carry their own particular funk and cleaning challenge.
Laundry Tips
Here are some laundry tips that will hopefully make each load a breeze.
Set the Mood & Space – Laundry doesn’t have to be a boring task. Crank up the tunes and dance around and sing while you’re working. Don’t be afraid to “pretty up” your space, either. Our washer and dryer are in an what amounts to an over-sized closet, and though no one sees it I’ve hung a little art on the walls to make it more appealing for me. Adding smart storage solutions so everything is at your fingertips will save you time, also.
Sort Clothes – Read the labels on each item to find out the suggested temperature and cycle speed, check pockets for change, receipts or other items, and then turn jeans and other similar pieces inside-out to help maintain the wear and tear. Some people sort by color, but unless something is new or prone to run, everything gets washed in cold except for towels and sheets. Recruit your toddler or preschooler to help with this, as it’s an easy task and they love to help.
Pre-Treat if Needed – Some of those extra-heavy stains may need to be looked at before washing. There are multiple products out there, but I generally just rub a little of regular laundry detergent into the stain and let it soak in for 30 minutes, or so.
Washing – Start to fill the washing machine and add a laundry detergent like Tide Simply Clean & Fresh. It is formulated to deliver a thorough clean that starts at the source of odors so it doesn’t just cover up odors, it gets deep down into the fibers of your garments to remove the particles that cause odors. HE compatible it’s available nationally and comes in two scents: Refreshing Breeze and Daybreak Fresh. Finally loosely fill the machine with clothes and launder.
Drying – Make sure the lint trap is clean before each use so that your dryer can work as efficiently as possible. Items like sweaters (and anything you don’t want to shrink or lose it’s shape) can be laid flat to dry. Toss a dry bath towel in with the wet clothes to help the load dry more quickly. Be sure to remove everything as soon as they are dry to avoid wrinkles; if clothes do happen to wrinkle, toss them back in on low with a damp towel to steam the wrinkles out easily.
These tips, including using Tide Simply Clean & Fresh, help me make easy work of whatever stains or offensive odors my family can throw at me.
What laundry tips do you have to share?
About Liza
Liza is a mom (5-year-old daughter, 20-year-old stepson, and 24-year-old stepdaughter) and wife living in Louisville. She loves spending time with her family, visiting the local zoo and parks, as well as planning travel adventures. Cooking and baking, DIY projects and crafts, and coffee - lots and lots of coffee - round out some of her other hobbies.