The convenience and efficiency of today’s laundry appliances make washing your clothes at home easier than ever. There’s nothing that they can’t clean, but you can even take things a step further by utilizing some of our favorite laundry hacks!
Top Laundry Hacks
You already know that your washer and dryer are great at cleaning and removing stains from clothes, towels, and blankets, but what about shoes? Is it possible to reduce wrinkles or drying time for larger loads? These clever laundry hacks will give you all the tools you need to become a laundro-master!
#1 – Wash Shoes in the Washer
One of the most common questions we hear is whether it’s safe to clean shoes with a washer and dryer. Well, the answer is yes, but you must do it the right way to avoid ruining your kicks. You’ll need:
- Soft-bristled brush
- Stain remover spray
- Towels
- Wash bag
Start by removing the laces and insoles to wash separately. Spray your shoes with stain remover and use the soft-bristled brush to remove any debris or larger messes, then put them into the wash bag.
Wrap your wash bag with towels, then set your washer to run a gentle cycle using cold water, and with an extra rinse setting if possible. For drying, wrap your shoes tightly in towels and run a low-heat cycle, or air dry for best results.
#2 – Reduce Drying Time
No one enjoys waiting for the dryer to complete a cycle when there’s one specific garment you need, but is it possible to speed up the process? You sure can!
To cut down on drying time (and power costs), take a clean, dry, fluffy towel and add it to your dryer along with the wet load that was just washed. The dry towel will help absorb excess moisture, and will even improve movement within the unit for a faster, more efficient drying.
#3 – Use Pool Noodles To Prevent Creases
Upgrading your clothes rack with a pool noodle is one of the cheapest, simplest laundry tips we can give. Some items will have to be hung to air dry, by how do you avoid creases while your garments are hanging on a thin rack?
Purchase a regular swimming pool noodle and cut it lengthwise down one side. Then cut it to the correct length of your drying rack and slip the noodle over the top creating a wider hanging surface. This will prevent creasing as items slowly air dry.
#4 – De-Wrinkle Forgotten Loads
We want our laundry hacks to be useful to everyone, and at some point, everyone has forgotten a load in the dryer. Unfortunately, all it takes is about an hour after the cycle completes for your clothes to settle and get completely wrinkled. Do you really have to wash them all over again though?
No way! All you need to do is take a clean washcloth and get it wet, then throw it into the dryer and run it again for about 30 minutes. The moisture from the towel and the movement of the dryer will release all wrinkles that have formed.
#5 – Make Your Own Fabric Softener
There’s no doubt that commercial fabric softeners work like a charm, but are they really worth spending your hard-earned money on? As it turns out, you can make your own fabric softener at home that works just as well and at a fraction of the cost.
Just pour regular white vinegar into your washer’s fabric softener dispenser for equally-soft results! You can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oils for a fresh scent that rivals name brand products.
These laundry hacks should start to save you time and money right away. Simple laundry tips won’t help when your washer or dryer breaks down though. If you need service on your Maytag laundry appliance or any other brand, call the experts at Appliance Repair Specialists right away!
