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1. Get rid of grease stains with chalk or baby powder.
Either product should soak the grease right up when left overnight — no scrubbing required.
2. Reclaim the extra time it takes to hand-wash your bras by using special protective bags in the washing machine...
Always hang them to dry, though. Get a set of three bags ($12.97) here.
3. ...and use an extra lingerie bag to keep all your socks in one place.
4. Keep clothes smelling great with no-effort sachets...
Just scatter them through your dresser drawers and walk away. Find a variety of scents ($3.50+) here.
5. ...or spritz with linen spray to freshen up without washing.
Fun, vindicating fact: Washing too often may actually ruin your clothes. This spray ($10) comes in eight refreshing scents, and will quickly rid your once-worn clothes of any lingering smells without scary stuff like parabens or formaldehyde.
6. To nix wrinkles on a dry item without having to iron, put it back in the dryer with an ice cube or two.
The resulting steam will free up wrinkles in no time.
7. Alternatively, add a damp washcloth or hand towel.
Same deal as the ice!
8. Or, to speed up a load's drying time, add a dry towel to soak up excess moisture.
Do not use a cat instead of a towel. Cats are not nearly as absorbent.
9. Get rid of static by using aluminium foil in place of dryer sheets.
Forgot to restock on dryer sheets? No need to run to the store — simply ball up a small amount of foil, then add balls to your dryer load.
10. Use a colander to wash delicate items...
A colander will help you rinse detergent from your favorite garment, while preventing the weight of excess water from stretching its fabric (and preventing your arms from getting tired, which is important).
11. ...and try a salad spinner to dry delicates more quickly without heat.
Get one ($9.99) here.
12. To keep colors from running, add half a cup of vinegar to your load...
13. ...or a teaspoon of salt.
14. If you have space, use multiple hampers to pre-separate lights, darks, colors, and more.
This system is also helpful for stained items, or items requiring a special wash cycle.
15. That "quick wash" setting on your laundry machine? Actually use it!
Maybe you don't know your machine has one, or maybe you just find laundry day so boring and painful you haven't bothered looking — but as long as your clothes aren't seriously soiled, quick wash can get the job done in way less time than normal. Here are several examples of what the setting might look like on your machine.
See? Laundry isn't so bad after all.
