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The 15 best laundry hacks of all time

Tips and tricks to make life easier

Washing, ironing and cleaning in general can take up a lot of time in your day.

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Thankfully, there are lots of clever people out there sharing their laundry hacks to make life a little easier.

Watch: TikTok clothes drying hack

We’ve rounded up a bunch of the best tips and tricks that will make doing the laundry a breeze. 

1. Use colour-coded coat hangers to hang up all of your clothes 

Mum-of-two, Leanne Neiland, says this tip cuts hours off her laundry time. Every family member has their colour coat hanger. Once the washing is done, she hangs up everything on the coat hangers (except underpants) and puts them on a wheeling clothes rack to dry. Once it’s dry, everyone takes their clothes to their room. 

Read more: This mum’s Kmart hack cuts laundry time by hours

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2. Use a duck board across the sink to increase bench space in the laundry

Clever mums in the Facebook group, Kmart Mums group have placed their duck board over the top of the sink to create more space. One mum says she stores her detergent and fabric softener in her sink and uses the duck board to rest her washing basket on top. 

Read more: This $15 Kmart hack is taking Aussie laundries by storm

3. Use a teaspoon to protect buttons when ironing

Tired of shirt buttons breaking or falling off? Part of the problem may boil down to faulty stitching, faulty buttons or wear and tear from washing, drying and ironing. It goes without saying, but you should never iron over buttons. Simply cover buttons with a teaspoon and iron around them.

Read more: 15 ironing hacks that will help you work smarter not harder

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(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

4. Use aluminium foil to cut your ironing time in half

To really speed up your ironing time, place a layer of aluminium foil underneath your ironing board cover (shiny side up). The foil will retain the heat from the iron and help you to smooth out wrinkles on both sides of the garment. 

Read more: 15 ironing hacks that will help you work smarter not harder

5. Use baby shampoo to unshrink clothes

Different types of fabrics shrink for different reasons, but the main culprit is exposure to heat. Luckily, there’s a way you can reverse the damage; and all you need is baby shampoo or gentle conditioner.

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Read more: how to unshrink your clothes

6. Use aspirin to remove tissues from clothes

Shake off as much tissue paper from the clothes as possible. Then, dissolve four aspirin tablets in warm water and soak the clothing for approximately two hours. Follow this with a quick rinse in the washing machine before hanging the clothing on the line to dry. Once dry you’ll find that the tissue specks have disappeared.

Read more: How to remove washed tissues from your clothes

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(Credit: Armelle Habib/@aremediasyndication.com.au) (Credit: Armelle Habib/@aremediasyndication.com.au)
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7. Pop a dry towel in your dryer to quicken dry time

To maximise dry time, popping a totally dry bath towel into the mix of wet clothes will get them dry quicker. Alternatively, add a tennis ball to ensure the fabric is aerated, and be sure to empty the lint filter after every load, as a full filter means longer drying times.

Read more: 8 best ways to dry your clothes quickly

8. DIY laundry dryer sheets

Looking for a natural alternative to dryer sheets? Try this all natural anti-bacterial and fragrant alternative. You’ll need a plastic container, sponges, natural hair conditioner, tea tree oil and lavender essential oil.

Read more: How to make DIY laundry dryer sheets

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9. Use vodka to get rid of laundry odours 

If you can’t seem to get rid of that musty smell from your towels – this is for you. Pop some vodka into the washing machine water and let it soak for two hours before continuing the wash cycle. 

Read more: Banish laundry odours with vodka (really!)

10. Use vinegar to prevent your towels from going crusty on the clothesline

Unfortunately, line drying towels can make them feel a little bit stiff. Adding vinegar to the rinse cycle should help with this.

Read more: The secret to fresh, fluffy, soft towels

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(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

11. Leave your washing machine door open when not in use

To prevent mould and grime from getting out of control in your washing machine, make sure you leave the door open in between cycles. You should also disinfect the inside of the seal by wiping it out with a cloth and household cleaner regularly.

12. Use shaving cream as a stain remover

Shaving cream is foamy and has similar ingredients to household soaps, making it a great stain remover product. Use it for tough stains on clothes and towels or to spot clean your rug. Watch a video here on how to use shaving cream as a stain remover.

13. Wash your detergent cap

Prevent washing liquid build up around you cap and throw it in the wash with your clothes. Just make sure you don’t put it in the dryer. 

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14. Use chalk to treat grease stains.

Chalk is super absorbent making it a perfect pre wash stain treatment. Simply, rub chalk on oil stains to absorb grease before popping the item of clothing in the wash!

15. Wash socks in a laundry bag

It’s no secret that your washing machine is eating your socks. To keep your socks in pairs, put them in a laundry bag as soon as you take them off, and wash all of your socks together. 

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