We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A box of washing machine-cleaning tablets because if you don't clean the thing that cleans your clothes, they'll start smelling a little rank, too. Make sure that you're *routinely* cleaning your washer so that when you're doing a load of laundry it's working in peak condition so you don't have to redo a load, creating more wear and tear on your clothes.
Works on top- and front-loading machines.
Promising review: "Washer started smelling a bit funky several months after we got it. I didn't understand why I couldn't just run bleach in my machine to clean it out occasionally, until I actually ran one of these tablets (free sample with my washer). The key is that the tablet goes in the washer drum, and doesn't dissolve right away. So as the washer runs through several repeated cycles of fill, agitate, and drain — the tablet is still there, sudsing up the water on cycle #2 and #3. If you just put bleach in the soap dispenser, it would all be gone after cycle #1. Also, this gets very sudsy and that probably helps it reach some areas of the machine that would otherwise get touched." —aberson
Get a six-tablet pack from Amazon for $11.98.
2. Plus a special brush to clear your dryer's lint trap of debris and make drying cycles/the appliance more effective longer. If your stuff is coming out wet, you may need one of these. It's so much cheaper than a pro repair!!
Also, built-up lint is a fire hazard! Make it a part of your weekly cleaning routine.
Promising review: "This is exactly the same type as the one used by the appliance repairman who repaired my dryer last week; easy to use inside the dryer filter holder as well as the outside vent." —ab
Get it from Amazon for $6.83.
3. A reusable roller dog hair remover that'll have you toss your old sticky roller after you see how much fur this reusable one (it has a sturdy brush system) picks up off your clothing before you throw it in the wash.
Promising review: "I have a golden retriever and the shedding is out of control. My fabric sofa is constantly covered in hair and I finally decided to try this after reading an article about popular TikTok products. The reviews do not lie, this thing works magic!! I wish I had taken a before and after picture because the difference is noticeable. I watched the video tutorial before I tried it to ensure I was using it properly and everything he says is true, you do really have to put your arm to work with vigorous back and forth movement! However, I find it's a great arm workout and it works wonders." —Joanne Ertel
Get it from Amazon for $26.95.
4. For when you're traveling, a pack of laundry soap sheets you won't have to slip into your toiletries bag if you're flying. This way you can save more room for souvenirs than three changes of underwear for every day of your trip.
Promising review: "These are perfect for backpackers and travelers. Wish I had known what these were years ago. Scent is light and cleaning power is surprisingly strong. Saved me euros while traveling because I didn't have to worry about if the laundromats would have detergent. Buy these if you travel for weeks at a time. You'll thank yourself later." —jeri dohnor
"Worked! These are perfect. So easy and no space taken up in my luggage. I even threw some in a washer with clothes at the Vrbo, though my intent was just to use in the sink. Would definitely buy again!!!!" —Frank wisnewski
Get it from Amazon for $7.19 (available in four other styles, including hand soap and shampoo).
5. A red wine stain remover that can work on soooo many other stains too.
Promising review: "Totally impressed! The unassuming generic packaging and label left me a bit skeptical but this stuff is almost as exciting as the wine I spilled! This cabernet stain sat on my ivory faux fur blanket for over a month before I tried this product. Completely gone in one try! Get this. Seriously. You won’t be disappointed." —PersianTess
Get it from Amazon for $10.36.
6. A specific ink remover to remove all sorts of pen accidents and transform hand-me-downs that have been etched with Sharpie pens.
Promising review: "Amodex took ink out of my expensive scrubs. A pen leaked in my pocket and made a thick glob of ink stain on the scrub jacket and a little on the pants. After using the Amodex and washing in cold water, there is no evidence of a stain, and the fabric looks exactly how it looked before the stain. There was no damage or discoloration of the fabric. Thank you, Amodex. This product just saved me the $75 that it would have cost to replace the scrubs." —Michelle hammer
Get it from Amazon for $10.89.
7. PSSST....give Grandma's Secret, an under-the-radar solution with serious stain-removing prowess, a chance on messes and stains that make you say all kinds of four-letter words — like, cleaning pen from a white leather couch.
It can remove oil, grease, ink, grass, and blood stains for all my vampires out there. Psst, about a year ago I recommended this to a friend who fell in a puddle of motor oil on a sidewalk and then accidentally wiped it on her camel coat. It got the stains out!
Promising review: "This stain remover is amazing! It works so well. The shirt in the photo had tomato soup on it, I think. And I left it like that for two weeks (because, lazy!). You can see the progress from the photos. Not a spot remained. Amazing results!" —LQ
Get two bottles from Amazon for $8.89.
8. And if you're trying to get eco-friendly with your laundry routine, a plant-based stain remover capable of erasing YEARS-old blood stains from a tenant's mattress, as this reviewer explains. I have questions. MANY questions. Oh and it works on clothes too.
Check out a TikTok of the laundry spray in action. Also check out our full review of Puracy Natural Laundry Stain Remover.
Puracy is a Texas-based, family-owned small business specializing in plant-based, chemical-free, hypoallergenic home products, with a donation made to local families in need with a portion of every purchase.
Promising review: "A tenant left some blood stains on this mattress and a heating pad about 20 years ago. They were totally dry when we found them. Not knowing what to do, we put the mattress aside for 20 years until we found this product. Tested on the pad first. I sprayed a whole bottle on the pad, left it in a bathtub all night. Then washed the pad in the tub. The pad looks new after it is dried, even cleaner than when it was new! Wow! Then the real challenge, the mattress. With experience from cleaning the pad, I decided to use the solution much more efficiently. Here is the improved process: 1) Spray a little solution on the stained area. Make sure the stained area is soaked, but not too deeply. 2) Cover the soaked area with a piece of paper towel. I found it absorbs the stain very well. 3) Spray a little more solution onto the paper towel. This is for keeping the stain moisturized. These enzymes do not work under dry environments. 4) Cover the stained area and the paper towel on it with a piece of plastic film, which is normally for preserving food. Again, I did this to keep the stained area wet. The second morning, I removed everything from the mattress, used more paper towels to absorb the mess. And then, I used a clean car washing towel and cold water to clean up the remaining mess. I washed the towel and cleaned up again. Repeated three to four times, the mattress became very clean! No blood stain remains! Never imagined it could remove 20-year-old bloodstains." —nusaco888
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in three sizes).
9. Plus Hogwash, a handmade laundry soap that uses cornmeal to tackle some VERY tough stains. Like, grape juice tough, OK?!
Sallye Ander is a second-generation, family-owned small business that specializes in *gentle* formulas that are super effective.
Promising review: "I have a very dirty job and some days I come home looking worse than a coal miner. Prematurely throwing away good clothing, because they get so filthy, always hurts. Especially because I like collecting shirts from all the different companies I’ve worked for. So I decided to give this soap bar a shot, and it actually made an old orange work shirt shine again. I’ll definitely be buying more hogwash." —John Galt
Get it from Amazon for $8.95.
10. A set of Wad-Free pads can help the air flow and *actually* dry your sheets while they're in the dryer. No more unloading only to find your bedding is due for another cycle.
Wad-Free is a small biz that was launched during the pandemic. Cyndi, the founder, learned CAD (computer-aided design) to create the pads. And 5% of profits are donated to the American Brain Tumor Association.
Promising review: "In the 45+ yrs I’ve been washing sheets, I’ve tried everything to keep them from wadding up like a burrito. This works! I use them for my king sized bed and no more wet little bundle in the middle after drying them! The pillowcases now wind up on top instead of twisted and wet inside. It’s super easy to attach the corners of the sheet to the silicone square. The sheets come out cleaner and there’s no need to re-dry them! I bought one for both of my daughters — always happy to make life easier for them! Now I use them for my queen-size beds as well. I enjoy washing my sheets weekly now! I highly recommend." —Leslie Burch
Get it from Amazon for $18.99.
11. Plus a genius little SockDock to secure your socks to before you throw them in the washer and dryer. Losing another sock? Not today, Sock Satan.
Promising review: "I love these! I hate sorting socks after doing laundry and these are the perfect solution! I just hang this near my hamper and stick my socks in every day. When it’s full I drop in the hamper and am ready to go. Such a time-saver." —R. Steebs
Get it from Amazon for $17 (available in five colors).
12. A box of Color Catcher sheets will prevent dye from garments bleeding onto other items in the wash. They're designed to grab any dye that leaks or bleeds. Where has this been all your life?
Promising review: "These Color Catcher sheets really protect colors from blending. It makes all clothes/laundry brighter and looking like new — not that old, washed color after just one wash without these sheets. I give this product 5+ stars. Highly recommend. A few pennies spent additionally on your laundry makes one look like wearing new clothes all the time." —Nikita
Get 72 sheets from Amazon for $13.49.
13. A *gentle* freshening spray can quickly get your piece of clothing to wearable condition once again. It might just buy you another wear before you actually have to launder it! Reviewers also love to use it to freshen up curtains or linens that've been in closet storage.
Promising review: "LOVE this spray. This product has so many uses. I spritz our sheets with it when changing bed linens if they’ve been in the linen closet long enough to lose that laundry smell. I spritz it on linen pants to release wrinkles midway through a wear. I spray curtains with it after giving the a quick freshen-up steaming. The list goes on. Big fan." —Corrina Milito
Get it from Amazon for $16 (available in three scents).
14. A travel-size steamer for helping freshen up a garment without actually throwing it in the wash. And while we're on the subject, make sure you're steaming a garment from the inside.
This steamer is a fave of my colleague Maitland Quitmeyer. She says it's easy to use, great for travel, and still going strong a few years after purchasing.
Promising review: "It has worked wonders on everything in my closet from delicate chiffon and poly-blends, to heavier cotton and wool-blends. I have even steamed stubborn wrinkles from blazers and purses and linen. The picture I have shared is of a pair of jeans air dried straight from the wash (before) and then (after) one passing with the Pur Steam Fabric Steamer. I considered purchasing a larger steamer, but they tend to be clumsy, heavy and difficult to maneuver. This steamer is perfect. And for frequent refills, I simply keep a pitcher of water nearby. For the price, you can't beat it." —Savvy Shopper
Get it from Amazon for $21.97.
15. A two-pack of deodorant-removing sponges to rub away those ghostly stains that you ALL TOO OFTEN realize are a thing once you're wearing your dang shirt.
16. A set of wool balls you can swap out your typical fabric softener for to prevent buildup on your clothing and washing machine. Plus, they speed up drying time!
17. A set of small mesh laundry bags for keeping track of itty bitty things that get lost in the wash, like kids' socks, mittens, and masks. These are also great for preventing wear and tear on more fragile items.
Promising review: "Saw this hack on TikTok. I use them for baby socks, mittens, and hats." —megan churchill
Get a set of three from Amazon for $7.99 (available in 10 sizes).
18. A over-the-door laundry hamper that'll get those discarded PJs and undies off the bathroom floor. Raise your hand if you've ever tripped on your or a loved one's dirty underwear ::raises both hands::
You can love someone and still not want to come in touch with their freshly used undies.
Get it from Amazon for $31.58.
19. A three-compartment laundry hamper with WHEELS so you can load up with dirty clothes from other rooms and then scoot it to the laundry room.
Promising review: "I’ve had this product for eight months now and has remained durable no rips have been noted and let me tell you I load it up with clothes. I will recommend this product." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
20. A laundry-detergent drip catcher to help salvage some of that precious goo, so you can go a tad bit longer in between shopping trips.
Promising review: "Holy cow! Why didn't I think to make this!? This thing is probably the most helpful thing I own! I despise how liquid detergent is in these huge tubs with a spigot. It has to lay on its side and it ALWAYS drips down on to whatever is underneath. It's so frustrating! However, this fixes that problem! It easily just slides on the tub and holds firm. I use it on the All tub, but I would imagine it would work with any standard size tub. I keep the cup sitting on the little shelf and it catches any drips. So no waste!" —Rachel L. White
Get two from Amazon for $13.39.
21. Or if you're sick of dealing with detergent spills, some fragrance-free detergent sheets that'll be much easier to store and transport.
You might've seen these on Shark Tank. Laundry Club is a family-owned, veteran-owned small business established in 2019 that specializes in eco-friendly cleaning and laundry alternatives.
Promising review: "I have been using these laundry sheets for about a year now and I like that there is no plastic jug to fill the landfill with. The laundry sheets are meant to be cut in half for a full load but if I have a very small load I can cut into smaller pieces and they are much more economical that a laundry pod. The plastic pods did not dissolve well but these laundry sheets leave no residue behind even after washing in cold water. I have even convinced my budget savvy daughter to buy laundry sheets. We have been on vacation a few times now and the laundry sheets are so easy to pack in the suitcase. I am about to order again the Fresh Linen scent. I have a sensitive nose and cannot tolerate strong perfumes but the linen scent is very mild." —Loveitlots
Get a pack of 50 sheets for $16.99.
22. A magnetic lint bin you can attach to the side of your machines so you have a spot RIGHT there to drop in all that lint that you're cleaning out of your trap. You're doing that regularly, huh? HUH?!
Seven Days Home is a Pasadena, California–based shop that specializes in home goods.
Promising review: "This is the second lint bin I’ve ordered from SevenDaysHome. The first one was for myself. It is fantastic. I’ve raved about it’s functionality and quality so much that mom wants one. The second one is her Christmas gift. I can’t wait to give it to her and she is going to be so excited! Shipping is super fast and I haven’t had any issues. I would definitely recommend buying from this seller." —XfinalthoughtX
Get it from Seven Days Home on Etsy for $30.39.
23. A hanger organizer you should've bought for your laundry room eons ago instead of scrounging for spares in every family member's closet. Remember that time you bought a 50-pack of hangers because you thought you were out but you most definitely weren't? Yep.
24. A tall storage cart you can squeeze between your washer and dryer to contain all the super effective stain removers you're about to buy from this story!
Promising review: "Level with the washer and dryer when products are added. Rolls out nicely when wanting to pick out items that I put on the second and third shelf. Would recommend this product for easy storage." —Ramona Azure
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (also available in black).
25. A space-saving retractable clothes rack your laundry room has been yearning for since you first hung up a shirt in there.
Promising reviews: "Amazing quality. Perfect for neat freaks! We got this for our small laundry room. This is the perfect answer to both small spaces and the desire for clean lines. It's sturdy and holds about 20 items. When we are not using it, it folds so darn neatly. Looks awesome and is easy to install. Would totally get more for other rooms. I am thinking guest rooms." —linda sloan
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five colors and two sizes).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.