Change can be a good thing, especially if you’ve been using the same laundry products for years without much second thought. Not sure if your go-to products are the right ones?
We’re here to help you freshen up your routine with the WaveMAX guide to laundry products. From filler-free detergents and specialty cleaners to the products you should skip, here’s what you do and don’t need in your laundry pantry.
Essential laundry products for every type of wash
Liquid laundry detergent
Of the three categories of laundry detergent—powder, liquid, and pods—liquid laundry detergent reigns supreme.
While powder is the most cost-effective and pods offer convenience, liquid leaves behind the least amount of residue and works in all types of loads.
Some people prefer heavily scented liquid detergents, but they can be harsh on those with sensitive skin. Luckily, smell has zero impact on cleanliness!
Did you know that you can make your own laundry detergent? Going DIY style can save money and give you greater control over your routine.
Oxygen bleach
Traditional chlorine bleach isn’t a must in modern laundry routines. Oxygen bleach is a more environmentally friendly and fabric-safe alternative that removes odors, brightens both whites and colors, and effectively removes stains.
For regular loads, simply add a tablespoon or two to your favorite laundry detergent! It can be particularly useful for towels, sheets, and heavily soiled items.
For a stain removal pre-soak, dissolve 1-2 tablespoons in one gallon of warm water and soak the stained items for several hours or overnight. Then, wash as usual.
Specialty detergents and detergent additives
If you’re washing every load with the same laundry detergent, you’re missing out on the power of specialty detergents and additives.
For example, heavily soiled loads with blemishes from oil, blood, coffee, or red wine can benefit greatly from enzymatic detergent. Keep some on hand for those extra stubborn loads and better stain removal!
Or, say you’re dealing with extra bacteria from a load of smelly clothes or sheets from a sick member of the household. When you need some extra cleaning power, kill those germs by adding a dose of laundry sanitizer to your fabric softener compartment.
Vinegar
Basic distilled white vinegar is every laundry pro’s secret weapon. It tackles odors, kills bacteria, softens all types of fabric, and so much more!
The best part? It’s super easy to use. Just add half a cup to your washing machine load before running it.
Here are six of the many ways white vinegar enhances all laundry routines.
Dryer balls
Considering they prevent clothing damage, shorten drying time, boost softness, and reduce wrinkles, dryer balls are a severely underrated laundry product. Even better, they’re sustainable, reusable, and totally eco-friendly!
Grab a few from Amazon or Target, or make your own dryer balls DIY-style.
Drying rack
While tossing your entire load of laundry in the dryer might feel like a time-saver, not everything should be machine-dried. From synthetic fabrics and undergarments to sweaters and dresses, lots of garments can be permanently damaged from heat.
Enter the simple drying rack—the easiest way to dry everything quickly with zero heat-related damage. Keep it near your washer, and you’ll never be tempted to machine dry the wrong items again.
Laundry products you DON’T need
Dryer sheets
Did you know that dryer sheets are notorious for harming clothing more than helping them? These single-use products leave behind a chemical residue, aggravate sensitive skin, and reduce dryer performance. And they don’t even soften clothes that well!
Replace dryer sheets with dryer balls, and your clothing, budget, and machines will thank you.
Fabric softener
Although fabric softeners have a prominent place in the laundry aisle, they’re more filler than anything. Even worse, they strip away important elements of fabric performance, like flame resistance on kids’ clothes, wicking on gym clothes, and absorption on towels.
Just use white vinegar instead!
Scented beads
Aesthetically pleasing laundry beads may be all over your social media feed, but that doesn’t mean they’re essential. Some people have reported that these trendy products actually clog washing machines and piping!
And, if not properly dissolved, they can leave chunks of colored mush on your clothes. If you really want a nicer scent in your routine, read our next tip on essential oils.
Optional laundry products to boost your routine
Essential oils
Let’s be real—the best part of laundry day is the instant dopamine boost from a whiff of fresh-smelling clothing. If you want each load to have its own burst scent, just add a dash or two of your favorite essential oil to unscented detergent. This works best with liquid detergent!
Borax
For a catch-all laundry solution that’s safe for nearly all types of loads, invest in some good old-fashioned borax. Add 1/2 cup along with your regular detergent to the washing machine, and enjoy benefits like:
Odor removal
Stain removal
Extra cleaning power
Color brightening
Laundry spray
Laundry day isn’t your only opportunity to freshen up your clothes and linens. Between washes, spritz a DIY linen spray wherever you want a boost of smell and an extra feeling of cleanliness!
To make your own linen spray, you only need a dark-tinted spray bottle, essential oils, water, and vodka or witch hazel.
Whether you run a buzzing household or only have your own clothes to clean, the right collection of laundry products can make all the difference.
Of course, machines matter too! If you’re ready to upgrade to top-of-line washers and dryers, our spacious, amenity-packed laundry rooms are here to help. Search WaveMAX ‘laundromat near me’ or visit our website to find your closest location.
