When you’re doing laundry week-in, week-out, the routine can become a little stale—especially if you’re spending more time doing tasks than you need to. Laundry hacks are a great way to make the process more efficient (and sometimes more fun too!).
As we head into the new year, why not try out some of our favorite hacks to level up your laundry routine? These tips work for everyone, but they’re particularly useful for big families or busy households.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
8 Laundry Hacks to Try in 2024
1. Use a Hair Catcher
Hair gets everywhere, right? There’s nothing worse than clothes that are constantly covered in pet fur or free-flying strands, so here’s a simple hack to solve the problem.
Instead of lint-rolling for hours on end, why not try a hair catcher? Yep—they really do exist, and you’re right in wondering why you’ve never tried one before.
These clever little balls catch pet and human hair from your laundry while it’s washing, cutting out the time spent on lint-rolling AND saving your washer from potential blockages.
2. Create Your Own Sorting Rules
Since we were old enough to help our parents with the weekly chores, most of us have had it drilled into us that laundry should be separated into whites, lights and darks. However, since laundry is such an individual process depending on the household you’re washing for, we’ve got a radical suggestion.
How about you make your own sorting rules instead?
If you often opt for a cooler wash or you’re cleaning clothes and towels you’ve had for years, color leakage is pretty unlikely. With this in mind, lots of people are now opting to sort in different ways, for example:
By level of soiling – heavily soiled items washed separately from less dirty loads
By texture and fabric – separating into delicates, cottons, linens and other materials
As long as you read the care labels first, you really can do what works best for you.
3. Try a Laundry Folder
Ready for a complete game changer? It’s time to get your hands on a laundry folder.
Often used in hotels or clothing stores, these simple devices are affordable, easy-to-use and save SO much time when it comes to folding your laundry. Plus, the results are insanely good—even if you do consider yourself an expert.
To use, simply place your item of clothing onto the device, then follow the instructions to bring each section neatly together.
4. Make a Giant DIY Lint Roller
For those of us with pets, lint rollers are a tool we simply can’t live without. So what if you could trade out your mini roller for a giant one instead?
Here’s how to make a DIY lint roller—supersized!
Purchase a paint roller and some duct tape from your local DIY store
Wrap the duct tape around the roller (sticky side facing out)
Secure the tape to itself at each end to prevent the tape from slipping off
Roll on clothing, furniture and more to collect any loose hair
5. Safety Pin Sock Pairs Together
Where oh where do all of the socks go? It’s an age-old mystery, and one we fear we’ll never find the answers to. If you’re keen to do what you can to keep your favorite pairs together, this neat laundry hack is a simple yet smart solution.
Using small safety pins, attach your socks securely together before placing them in the machine. While this may seem like an added task on your endless to-do list, it will safe hours of pairing time—and avoid any mysterious disappearances!
6. Make Your Own Dryer Balls
If you’re looking for a way to make your clothes feel soft, wrinkle-free and void of static, dryer balls are a great alternative to disposable sheets or fabric softener.
Making your own at home offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective option, plus you can use them again and again.
What you’ll need:
Sharp scissors
Needle or crochet hook
Stovetop
Cooking pot
Wool yarn / wool strips
Cotton string
Old sock / pantyhose
Head to our full blog on the topic to find out how to make your own reusable dryer balls!
7. Label Your Laundry
Big families, this one’s for you! When it comes to laundry day, identifying which shirts, trousers and underwear belong to who can quickly descend into chaos. The answer? Laundry labeling.
Ahead of your next wash-day (or whenever you buy new garments), grab a permanent marker and write the relevant initials on the care label inside. If initials are shared, you can also create a dot system and hang a key in your laundry room—one dot for Ben, two dots for Daisy, three dots for Mom…
This smart hack will make distributing laundry after folding a breeze!
8. Make Your Own DIY Detergent
Doing laundry at home can be expensive, especially when you account for the costly products lined up at your local home store. Branded products offer a range of benefits when it comes to your weekly wash, but they’re not actually necessary at all.
The truth is, you can make a perfectly good detergent at home—all without breaking the bank.
What you’ll need:
Standard household grater, preferably in box format
Measuring cup
Pair of rubber gloves
Container with a secure lid
Borax powder
Washing soda (sodium carbonate)
Castile soap, pure soap bar or soap flakes
Head to our blog now to learn how to make your own DIY detergent!
Start the New Year Right With WaveMAX Thornton
If one of your goals for the new year is to level up your laundry routine, our friendly laundry experts at WaveMAX are here to support you. As well as our welcoming laundromats, we offer a series of laundry services in Denver to help you keep on top of your weekly load.
Don’t bother searching ‘laundry near me’—explore drop-off, pick-up and delivery, plus commercial services and more on our website.
