Our 9 Best Laundry Tips of All Time

Cut Down on Drying Time

If it seems like it takes forever for your bath towels to dry, invest in a set of wool dryer balls. When added to a load of laundry in the dryer, they will not only help clothing dry more quickly, but also reduce wrinkles. Bonus: Add a few drops of essential oil and dryer balls will lend a fresh scent to your laundry, serving as a more eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets.

To speed up drying time, you'll also want to avoid overloading the machine. Leave room for the clothing to move freely so the warm air can circulate.

Make Folding Clothes a Cinch

What's your least favorite part of doing laundry? If you said folding clothes, then this gadget is for you. Place T-shirts, pants, or sweaters onto the board, then flip the sides to fold the garment into a neat rectangle. Your least favorite chore just got much easier.

Upgrade Your Laundry Basket

Laundry baskets can be big and bulky, even when they're empty. This clever, collapsible option folds down so it can be stashed away in a closet or cabinet when not in use.

Choose a Shorter Wash Cycle

If you have clothing that's only been worn once or twice and isn't stained, opt for the light setting on your washing machine, which lasts just six to eight minutes. Mary Zeitler, a home economist at the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science, recommended this tip years ago, and it has stuck with us ever since.

Skip the Search for Missing Socks

Don't waste time hunting for missing socks in the dryer. Instead, grab a couple spacious laundry bags and group all of your socks together. When it's time to fold your clean laundry, it will be easier to match up each pair, and static won't cause spare socks to cling to your pants or bath towels.

Break It Up Into Chunks of Time

If you're tackling multiple loads of laundry at one time, it can take all weekend to complete. Rather than ruin your weekend, break the task up into chunks of time during the week. Dedicate one day to washing sheets, another to light clothing, or if you have several children, do one kid's laundry each day. By the time Sunday arrives, you'll be ready to relax.

Trade in Your Iron for a Steamer

Pulling out an ironing board and waiting for an iron to heat up can feel like a time-consuming process—especially when you're rushing to get ready in the morning. Order a portable steamer that will release wrinkles quickly so you can make it to work on time. This portable steamer measures just 7 inches tall, so you can even pack it in your luggage or carry-on bag and take it along on your next trip.

Buy Hampers With Built-in Dividers

Instead of waiting to sort laundry once you have a big, unruly pile, sort it as you go. A divided hamper lets you toss each piece of clothing into categories, so when laundry day rolls around, you can skip the sorting and load the machine right away.

Mark When Clothing Is Ready to Be Washed

For any pieces of clothing that you wear a couple times before washing, try this system: After you've worn the garment once, hang it back up, but with the clothes hanger facing the opposite direction. The next time you put on that blouse or dress, you'll know you've already worn it once and it's ready to be washed after this wear.