3 laundry hacks that will save time and money
If you want to save time, prolong the lifespan of your favourite clothes and remove wrinkles from your clothing, these hacks are for you.
If you are struggling to get the laundry done this winter, we get it.
We've found some laundry hacks that are absolute game changers. The first one may not always work on windy days, but it made us think of efficiency on a whole new level.
A woman shared a video on how she always dries her laundry on the outside washing line, using clothing hangers instead of pegs. Her motivation seemed simple enough: the ease of picking up the washing once it was dried.
It also saves time when putting your clothes away and keeps them free from peg marks.
READ MORE: Odd but useful life hacks that save time
The second hack is for those who want to preserve the quality of their favourite clothes. It pays to mention that this isn't just for favourites but can help keep your clothes looking newer for longer.
It's called the 'shake method'; if you aren't already doing it, you should start.
Good Housekeeping says: "Shaking your items is key for a few reasons, but primarily because it increases drying efficiency and decreases wrinkles."
Plus, shaking your items makes it easier to iron them.
Director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Carolyn Forté said: "Shaking out your clothes before tossing them in the dryer also allows you to put items back into shape, so sleeves and necklines don't get stretched out and pants legs aren’t twisted or knotted before they go into the dryer — key for prolonging the lifespan of your favourite items. Shaking out towels also helps fluff the pile, making your favourites more fluffy and absorbent."
Watch the below video from TikTok.
@goodhousekeepingofficial Want your dryer to work faster and smarter? Our Cleaning Lab experts recommend shaking out your clothes before drying them. It may seem obvious, but this simple trick reduces wrinkles and helps clothes tumble freely for a quicker, more efficient dry. #CleaningHacks #LaundryTips #LaundryHacks #LaundryTok #CleanTok ♬ original sound - Good Housekeeping
READ MORE: Three winter fruit hacks the kids will love
Last but not least, there's the cleaning of your washing machine. Not many people take this seriously, but cleaning your washing machine regularly doesn't just help you care for your appliance, but also helps with your laundry.
You don't realise what the build-up of lint and fluff does to your machine and your clothing.
Check out the video below from TikTok, which shows how to deep-clean your washing machine. Remember, after every cycle, you can take a dry cloth and wipe the inside of the rubbers and drum to ensure there's no excess water left. You can also leave the door open so it can air dry.
This video is for a front-loading machine; for a top loader, watch here.
@cleanwithnessa 🧺 How to Naturally Clean Your Front Loader Washing Machine ⬇️ do this every month to keep it clean & smelling fresh 🙌🏽 My washing machine was starting to smell really bad! I think because the door has been shutting 😅 comment “doorstop” if you would like the link to what I’m using to stop the door closing ✨ What You’ll Need: 🫧 1 cup of cleaning vinegar 🫧 ¼ cup baking soda 🫧 Microfiber cloth 🫧Old toothbrush Steps: 1️⃣ Wipe the Door Seal: Clean around the rubber seal with a vinegar-dampened cloth to remove grime & mildew. 2️⃣ Detergent Drawer: Remove, soak in warm soapy water, scrub, rinse, and dry. 3️⃣ Run a Hot Cycle: Add ¼ cup baking soda to the drum + 1 cup of cleaning vinegar in the dispenser. Run the hottest, longest cycle or the drum clean feature 4️⃣ Final Wipe: After the cycle, wipe the drum, door, and glass dry with a clean cloth. 5️⃣ Clean the Drain Filter: (If your machine has one!) Check the manual, remove debris, rinse, and replace. 💡 cleaning tip: Leave the door slightly open after each wash to prevent mould & musty smells #CleanWithMe #NaturalCleaning #LaundryDay #CleaningTips #FrontLoaderCare ♬ Dirty Cash (Money Talks) - PAWSA & Adventures Of Stevie V
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