What are your laundry hacks? - Page 2

khorrell · 01-22-2008, 09:06 AM

One thing that has made my laundry easier is folding things as they come out of the dryer. I don't know why this helps, but it does. I also keep a radio in my laundry room and listen to some jammin' tunes while I do the wash. I sort the clothes by bedroom as I fold, then race upstairs and put them away. (I might as well get a little cardio while I'm at it.) I bought four small baskets, one for each child, and have been trying to get them to put their own things away, but as of yet I find it is still more successful if I do it myself. Maybe I should start with the oldest and move down as each one learns this skill?

Good luck to you. I have found that a pleasant laundry room is a wonderful thing

jdp · 01-22-2008, 09:11 AM

Hmmm. I've never really thought of having a laundry hack. My laundry process is - wear something, take it off in the bathroom where there is a large closet with a 3-sectioned hamper in it. My son can hit the right bin and has since he was 3. Darks, Lights and wash/dry's. When one section is full thats a load and it gets washed. Darks and Lights get hung to dry (yes, in an apartment - with the way the heat runs during the winter esp why run the dryer?). When dry, fluffed on air only/no heat for 10 mins in the dryer, folded and put away. It takes me less than 5 mins to fold or hang my stuff and put away. Longer with ds because I like to let him be involved and I spend more time redoing his folding (it'd be easier if he had a closet and shirts could hang but alas, just a dresser and everything gets folded). The middle section is the wash/dry for like towels, socks, etc. I fold those and put them away while I'm sitting in the bathroom waiting for ds to be done playing in the tub and I'm stuck there anyway. All but the dresser items can even be put away then.

I was also lucky to find this hamper with the three sections - its put together on a black frame so ds knows and I know - anything needed special treatment (stains, button repaired, etc) gets hung on the frame at the correct section. When its time to wash everything gets dumped in my one and only laundry basket (egads I love only having one of those) with the stuff needing special attention on top.

Depending on your overall goals you could look into other things:

frugal - making your own laundry soap, wash in cold, line dry
green - eco soaps, wash in cold, line dry
time sensitive - dropps, laundry turn schedule

jdp · 01-22-2008, 02:17 PM

Am I missing the icon to edit posts or is there none?

I thought of a laundry hack - soaking - sometimes I think ds's piece of clothing is ruined by a stain but I learned from my dad - rub a little handsoap in with a toothbrush and let soak (believe it or not I use the bathroom trash can) til laundry time vs. sitting there setting in. Just don't leave it there days or it gets stinky and you'll be tossing it anyway (don't ask how I know, yikes).

kav122 · 01-23-2008, 09:47 AM

well, I thought that I was going to have to buy a washer...but I don't!!! The repairman that came today said that it was just a belt that was broken. He said the washer was made in 1971 (10 years older than me hehe

) and to hang onto it until it is a pile of rust. That's good news right!!

As far as laundry tips go:
1. I keep the stain remover in our bedroom (where we take off the clothes), that way I can put the remover right on the clothes, then I throw them down the laundry chute (an awesome thing to have).

2.When I do laundry I sort as I am taking the clothes out of the hamper. I have a drying rack that I put most clothes on. The rest go in the dryer and I fold (or hang up) as I am removing them from the dryer.

3. I also run an empty load in the washer with vinegar every few months and I keep a little handheld vaccuum next to my dryer to suck out the lint really well, and I clean the lint trap in vinegar water when I do my washer. This prolongs the life of your equipment.

4. This summer I am DETERMINED to not us my dryer at all !

That's the plan anyway. That should help

5. Oh yeah, I heard on the news that fabric softeners are WAY bad, because they not only clog the lint trap with a film that can ignite, they also reduce the effectiveness of towels, etc. If you have a major static problem just mix a little vinegar in the wash cycle.

6. I use cold water for everything, and have never had a problem with stains.

7. I never use the gentle cycle for anything, if I don't think it will do well, I just hand-wash it in woolite. I keep this next to the sink in the laundry room for this purpose. I just throw it in while I am pulling clothes out of the hamper and loading the washer.

8. I keep a container on top of my dryer for "things" found in pockets and a trashcan for lint, etc.

9. I was pretty much everything inside out, and I think it helps with the life of the garment.

10. Things that need to be mended are cleaned first then I put them on a basket on top of the dryer...for no reason do they get folded and put away, because then I never remember to fix them. If I see them every time I do laundry, they will get fixed.
That's it, probably nothing new, but that's all I got.

smartgrrl! · 01-27-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucille

What brand is it? I looked at those LG all in one washer/dryer machines.

Not the LG, too many problems and the price is high. It's an Ariston purchased from Compact Appliance--energy star rated, too.

Milehimama · 02-03-2008, 06:12 PM

My dryer is old and won't dry if it has a full load of laundry in it. I hang clothes on hangers, then on a rod - they take up a lot less space that way, and I can't have a line because we rent.

redsoxmaniac · 02-19-2008, 04:54 AM

Check with your utility company and find out if the rates are cheaper during a specific time of day. Some utilities have off peak rates. I try and run my washer and dryer during these times. I also always run it full. The best thing I ever did (after I found a folded pair of jeans in my then 10 year old son's hamper) was to teach my kids to do their own laundry, separate their lights and darks. I then assigned each of my two kids a laundry day and they had to complete their laundry and put it away before going out to play. Now 20 and 17 they get it and don't change clothes 3 times a day just to do it, because they know they will be dealing with it. I also try and fold while I am watching sports on tv, and then use the commercials to go put what I've folded away. I get a little exercise and stay away from the fridge this way!

Beignet · 02-21-2008, 07:14 AM

I really like the idea of a family closet.

There is only 3of us, but the pile of clothes on an extra chair is as tall as I am.

We have an extra bedroom and I may organize this for a 'family closet.'

Thanks for the idea.

Beignet

rolltimer · 02-21-2008, 10:30 AM

Some laundry hacks I've seen on the internet but haven't tried for myself are:

Buy only all white cotton underwear, t-shirts, and socks. They can all be washed and dried together in the same load.
If you must purchase dark socks (black or blue), get several of the same kind and color. They are easier to match when folding.
Buy only all white towels and wash clothes as they can be washed and dried together or with the white underwear.

What I have discovered for myself is having 2 days a month when I change and wash bedsheets, the 15th and the 30th. I used to try to change bedsheets every other week but found it too hard to remember which week I'd actually changed them. Twice a month is good enough.

The Honest Dollar · 02-21-2008, 06:56 PM

Our co-op has a communal laundry room for 6 families. Each cycle (wash or dry) costs $1.25. The dryer isn't very effective, so a full load takes 2 cycles to completely dry. Instead of splitting up a full load for both the wash and dry cycles, I wash a full load then split it up into 2 batches to dry. This way, I pay 3 x $1.25 (1 wash, 2 dry) instead of 4 x $1.25 (2 wash, 2 dry).

Of course, I don't overload the washer. My clothes come out clean and dry, and since the dryer loads are smaller, it's easier to get everything folded before things get wrinkled.

02-21-2008, 07:14 AM	#18
Beignet Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 13 Reputation: (10)	Laundry I really like the idea of a family closet. There is only 3of us, but the pile of clothes on an extra chair is as tall as I am. We have an extra bedroom and I may organize this for a 'family closet.' Thanks for the idea. Beignet

02-21-2008, 10:30 AM	#19
rolltimer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 124 Reputation: (19)	Some laundry hacks I've seen on the internet but haven't tried for myself are: Buy only all white cotton underwear, t-shirts, and socks. They can all be washed and dried together in the same load. If you must purchase dark socks (black or blue), get several of the same kind and color. They are easier to match when folding. Buy only all white towels and wash clothes as they can be washed and dried together or with the white underwear. What I have discovered for myself is having 2 days a month when I change and wash bedsheets, the 15th and the 30th. I used to try to change bedsheets every other week but found it too hard to remember which week I'd actually changed them. Twice a month is good enough.

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01-22-2008, 09:06 AM	#11
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 281 Reputation: (35)	One thing that has made my laundry easier is folding things as they come out of the dryer. I don't know why this helps, but it does. I also keep a radio in my laundry room and listen to some jammin' tunes while I do the wash. I sort the clothes by bedroom as I fold, then race upstairs and put them away. (I might as well get a little cardio while I'm at it.) I bought four small baskets, one for each child, and have been trying to get them to put their own things away, but as of yet I find it is still more successful if I do it myself. Maybe I should start with the oldest and move down as each one learns this skill? Good luck to you. I have found that a pleasant laundry room is a wonderful thing

01-22-2008, 09:11 AM	#12
jdp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 162 Reputation: (24)	Hmmm. I've never really thought of having a laundry hack. My laundry process is - wear something, take it off in the bathroom where there is a large closet with a 3-sectioned hamper in it. My son can hit the right bin and has since he was 3. Darks, Lights and wash/dry's. When one section is full thats a load and it gets washed. Darks and Lights get hung to dry (yes, in an apartment - with the way the heat runs during the winter esp why run the dryer?). When dry, fluffed on air only/no heat for 10 mins in the dryer, folded and put away. It takes me less than 5 mins to fold or hang my stuff and put away. Longer with ds because I like to let him be involved and I spend more time redoing his folding (it'd be easier if he had a closet and shirts could hang but alas, just a dresser and everything gets folded). The middle section is the wash/dry for like towels, socks, etc. I fold those and put them away while I'm sitting in the bathroom waiting for ds to be done playing in the tub and I'm stuck there anyway. All but the dresser items can even be put away then. I was also lucky to find this hamper with the three sections - its put together on a black frame so ds knows and I know - anything needed special treatment (stains, button repaired, etc) gets hung on the frame at the correct section. When its time to wash everything gets dumped in my one and only laundry basket (egads I love only having one of those) with the stuff needing special attention on top. Depending on your overall goals you could look into other things: frugal - making your own laundry soap, wash in cold, line dry green - eco soaps, wash in cold, line dry time sensitive - dropps, laundry turn schedule

01-22-2008, 02:17 PM	#13
jdp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 162 Reputation: (24)	Am I missing the icon to edit posts or is there none? I thought of a laundry hack - soaking - sometimes I think ds's piece of clothing is ruined by a stain but I learned from my dad - rub a little handsoap in with a toothbrush and let soak (believe it or not I use the bathroom trash can) til laundry time vs. sitting there setting in. Just don't leave it there days or it gets stinky and you'll be tossing it anyway (don't ask how I know, yikes).

01-23-2008, 09:47 AM	#14
kav122 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 391 Reputation: (146)	well, I thought that I was going to have to buy a washer...but I don't!!! The repairman that came today said that it was just a belt that was broken. He said the washer was made in 1971 (10 years older than me hehe ) and to hang onto it until it is a pile of rust. That's good news right!! As far as laundry tips go: 1. I keep the stain remover in our bedroom (where we take off the clothes), that way I can put the remover right on the clothes, then I throw them down the laundry chute (an awesome thing to have). 2.When I do laundry I sort as I am taking the clothes out of the hamper. I have a drying rack that I put most clothes on. The rest go in the dryer and I fold (or hang up) as I am removing them from the dryer. 3. I also run an empty load in the washer with vinegar every few months and I keep a little handheld vaccuum next to my dryer to suck out the lint really well, and I clean the lint trap in vinegar water when I do my washer. This prolongs the life of your equipment. 4. This summer I am DETERMINED to not us my dryer at all ! That's the plan anyway. That should help 5. Oh yeah, I heard on the news that fabric softeners are WAY bad, because they not only clog the lint trap with a film that can ignite, they also reduce the effectiveness of towels, etc. If you have a major static problem just mix a little vinegar in the wash cycle. 6. I use cold water for everything, and have never had a problem with stains. 7. I never use the gentle cycle for anything, if I don't think it will do well, I just hand-wash it in woolite. I keep this next to the sink in the laundry room for this purpose. I just throw it in while I am pulling clothes out of the hamper and loading the washer. 8. I keep a container on top of my dryer for "things" found in pockets and a trashcan for lint, etc. 9. I was pretty much everything inside out, and I think it helps with the life of the garment. 10. Things that need to be mended are cleaned first then I put them on a basket on top of the dryer...for no reason do they get folded and put away, because then I never remember to fix them. If I see them every time I do laundry, they will get fixed. That's it, probably nothing new, but that's all I got.

02-03-2008, 06:12 PM	#16
Milehimama Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 116 Reputation: (13)	My dryer is old and won't dry if it has a full load of laundry in it. I hang clothes on hangers, then on a rod - they take up a lot less space that way, and I can't have a line because we rent.

02-19-2008, 04:54 AM	#17
redsoxmaniac Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 71 Reputation: (13)	Check with your utility company and find out if the rates are cheaper during a specific time of day. Some utilities have off peak rates. I try and run my washer and dryer during these times. I also always run it full. The best thing I ever did (after I found a folded pair of jeans in my then 10 year old son's hamper) was to teach my kids to do their own laundry, separate their lights and darks. I then assigned each of my two kids a laundry day and they had to complete their laundry and put it away before going out to play. Now 20 and 17 they get it and don't change clothes 3 times a day just to do it, because they know they will be dealing with it. I also try and fold while I am watching sports on tv, and then use the commercials to go put what I've folded away. I get a little exercise and stay away from the fridge this way!

02-21-2008, 06:56 PM	#20
The Honest Dollar Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New York Posts: 90 Reputation: (63)	Our co-op has a communal laundry room for 6 families. Each cycle (wash or dry) costs $1.25. The dryer isn't very effective, so a full load takes 2 cycles to completely dry. Instead of splitting up a full load for both the wash and dry cycles, I wash a full load then split it up into 2 batches to dry. This way, I pay 3 x $1.25 (1 wash, 2 dry) instead of 4 x $1.25 (2 wash, 2 dry). Of course, I don't overload the washer. My clothes come out clean and dry, and since the dryer loads are smaller, it's easier to get everything folded before things get wrinkled.