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1. How to Stop Losing Socks and 20 Other Helpful Laundry Tips

1. Keep Socks Paired in a Mesh Bag

You aren’t the only one. We’ve all lost a few socks to the washing machine. Say ‘no’ to orphaned socks and keep track of every single pair. Keeping your socks paired and placing them in a mesh bag before they go into the washing machine is a sure-fire way of keeping your socks together. Not only will you stop losing socks, it’ll also make folding a breeze when it comes time to put your washing away.

2. Wash Most Items in Cold Water

It isn’t what the TV ads say and it’s probably not what your parents taught you but washing your clothes in cold water is not only helpful, it’s also good for the environment. Most clothes don’t need to be washed in hot water and switching to cold helps you save you money on your energy bills.

Did you know that 90% of the energy used while running a load of washing is for heating the water? Just by turning the temperature down, you could save more than £100 every year!

3. Unshrink Clothing with Baby Shampoo

Oops, you’ve shrunk your favourite jumper. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. But rather than take it to the charity shop, you can now unshrink it! To unshrink fabric (even wool), fill a sink with lukewarm water and add a capful of baby shampoo or regular conditioner. Leave to soak for ten minutes and then drain.

Squeeze the garment carefully and place on a towel or flat surface. Gently stretch the garment while it’s still damp and lay it flat on the floor to dry. There you have it – an unshrunk piece of clothing!

4. Use Baby Powder for Oil Stains

Baby powder is a magic little formula that, when rubbed directly into clothing, can get rid of those unsightly oil stains. That’s right, no more greasy stains from a dropped piece of pizza or oil that’s sunk into your clothes from the stovetop. Thanks to baby powder, you can enjoy clothes free from oil stains.

5. Wash Your Clothes with Vinegar

As clothes age, it’s common for them to become a little bit smelly. Don’t worry, this is normal. But it can be a little bit embarrassing. While the old you would have simply thrown out a smelly old shirt, the new you (having read this article) knows that vinegar is the secret solution! Apple cider vinegar, to be more specific.

Instead of adding fabric softener to your wash, soften clothes the natural way by pouring a capful of vinegar into your washing machine. Not only is this a cheaper alternative, but it will also leave your clothes smelling fresh and clean – no matter how old they are!

6. Use Ice Cubes to De-Wrinkle Clothes

Are you looking for laundry tips for students? When you don’t have a lot of time, money, or you just hate ironing, ice cubes are the solution! Try adding a couple of ice cubes to your dryer for approximately 15 minutes. It may sound counterproductive, but trust us, the steam from the melting ice works as a natural iron – getting rid of all those wrinkles for you.

7. Clean the Lint Trap

Dryers have completely transformed the way we do laundry. They’ve reduced the amount of damp clothing hanging around the house and have made drying clothes in a hurry so much easier. But with all the clothes they have to dry, dryers can become clogged with dust and little pieces of material.

Did you know that clogged dryer vents are the cause of thousands of home fires every year? You can reduce your risk (and make sure your clothes dry faster) by keeping the lint trap clean.

8. Dry Clothes Faster by Adding a Towel

Are you in a hurry? Do you need to dry your clothes fast? The best way to dry clothing quickly in the dryer is to add a dry towel to the load for maximum drying efficiency in a short amount of time.

9. Fluff Linen with a Tennis Ball

Everyone likes soft bed sheets, but you don’t need any expensive gadgets to achieve this – all you need is a tennis ball! Put all of your sheets, towels, and blankets in the dryer with a tennis ball. As the dryer works, the movement of the ball helps add volume and softness to your linen. We know, it sounds a little bit weird, but it really works!

10. Store Laundry Detergent in Soap Dispensers

Even if you live in a small space, everything can be made more functional. Everyone knows that detergent bottles tend to take up a lot of space on top of the washing machine. Instead of having big bottles, mount soap dispensers on the wall and fill them with your laundry detergent. This way you’ll have more space and quick access to your detergent whenever you need it. Sure, doing the laundry will still be a chore, but this will make it that little bit easier.

11. Prevent Colours from Bleeding

No one wants the surprise of a bright pink shirt that went into the washing machine white…we’ve all been there! While it’s important to sort your clothes carefully instead of shoving them all into the washing machine together. However, this can be time-consuming, and it can get a little bit frustrating.

A good solution to prevent colours from bleeding onto other fabrics is to wet a cotton swab and rub it on the inside corner or seam of the item. If the dye transfers onto the swab, handwash it separately. If not, chuck it in with the rest of your washing. You’ll get used to which items need washing separately and which don’t.

12. Wash Whites Separately

We know that separating fabric colours is one of the best ways to keep colours bright and prevent fading or discolouration. Often, whites can start turning grey or yellow and this can be because you’ve been washing all your clothes together. Try to make more of an effort to separate colours, washing them separately. It will keep your clothes brightly coloured for longer!

13. Handwash Delicates

Do you own some pretty undergarments that are made from delicate materials, such as lace? To ensure bras and other delicate items hold their shape and last for much longer, handwash them in a sink filled with cold water. If you want the convenience of using your washing machine, put all your delicate items into a mesh bag and wash on the delicate cycle.

14. Organise Your Laundry Baskets

It’s easy to keep on top of your laundry if you are organised with your laundry habits. One of the laundry tips we suggest is organising your laundry baskets. Try keeping a laundry basket in your bedroom for all of your clothes and a laundry basket in your kitchen or next to your washing machine so that items like tea towels can easily be thrown in while you’re cooking or after you’ve finished drying the dishes.

15. Remove Sweat Stains with Lemons

When life gives you lemons…use them to get rid of sweat stains! Nobody likes sweat stains on their clothes, both the look and the smell of them can be pretty distracting. But don’t worry, there is a solution! Work the yellow armpit stains out of your clothes by applying a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda, letting it sit for an hour, and then putting your clothes into the washing machine. Wash on a normal cycle and voila, sweat-free, clean clothes!

16. Bleach Your Clothes in the Sun

The summer months aren’t just a great time for topping up your tan, they are also the best time to bleach your clothes. Sound strange? Sun bleaching is one of the best ways to get rid of tomato stains and to ensure cloth diapers are completely fresh and clean. Give it a try! Sometimes mother nature knows best.

17. Wash Out Blood

Blood stains are horrible – particularly on clothes. But they are surprisingly easy to get rid of. Simply grab a bar of soap and lather up your clothes in old water. Give the stain a good scrub with soap, wash the item under cold water and see the blood stain wash away.

18. Kick Grass Stains

Hydrogen Peroxide is the best solution for getting rid of grass stains. Simply mix 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon of dish soap, using a little bit of elbow grease to work the stain out of your clothes. This trick works every time.

19. Rubbing Alcohol and Paint Stains

Does your kid always come home from nursery covered in paint? Paint stains can be a real nightmare but with rubbing alcohol, there’s no need to be stressed anymore. Put a generous amount of rubbing alcohol on a cleaning cloth and use some elbow grease work the paint stain out of your clothes.

20. Vinegar and Fresh Clothes

We all wash our clothes much more than is really needed. Save some money and the environment by spritzing your clothes with vinegar and hanging them to dry outside. This tip is great for keeping your clothes smelling clean and fresh in between washes and it really does work!

We hope these tips have been helpful. All the above suggestions have been tried and tested by real people and they really do work. Doing the laundry is something none of us can escape from, but with the above tips and tricks, hopefully we’ve helped make the process a little bit easier.

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