Laundry has never been my favorite chore, but after enough lost socks, shrunken sweaters, and last-minute “why is this still damp?” moments, I’ve picked up a few tricks that actually make it easier. Some of them have saved me time, some have saved me from completely ruining clothes, and all of them have made laundry feel a little less like a never-ending chore.
I’ve been there—digging through a pile of clean clothes trying to find a matching sock, pulling out a favorite sweater only to realize it’s now two sizes too small, or realizing too late that my one decent shirt is a wrinkled mess. But these hacks? They’ve saved me more times than I can count.
Use Aluminum Foil When You’re Out of Dryer Sheets
Running out of dryer sheets right when you’re finishing up laundry is just the kind of thing that throws a wrench in the whole process. But instead of running to the store, grab some aluminum foil from the kitchen. Just ball up a piece and toss it in the dryer. It cuts down on static and lasts for months.
I’ve done this plenty of times when I forgot to restock dryer sheets, and honestly, I don’t miss them. No residue on clothes, no strong fragrances—just a simple fix that works. Plus, it saves a few bucks, which is always a win.
Get Rid of Wrinkles With Ice Cubes
If you’ve ever forgotten a load in the dryer (which, let’s be real, happens more often than not), you know how annoying it is to pull out a pile of wrinkled clothes. Instead of dragging out the iron, just toss a few ice cubes into the dryer and run it for a few minutes.
The steam from the melting ice helps smooth out wrinkles without any extra effort. I’ve used this trick when I needed a decent-looking shirt last minute, and it works like a charm. Just pull the clothes out as soon as the cycle’s done so they don’t crumple up again.
Stop Creases With a Pool Noodle
Hanging tablecloths, curtains, or scarves to dry always seems like a good idea—until they come out with a crease in the worst possible spot. Instead of dealing with that, grab a pool noodle and cut it to fit your hanger. Slice it open and pop it over the bottom bar to create a smooth surface.
I’ve used this trick for delicate fabrics that always seem to wrinkle up no matter what I do. Just cover the noodle with an old towel or sheet if you’re worried about colors transferring.
Swap Dryer Sheets for Wool Balls
If you’re tired of buying dryer sheets, wool dryer balls are a great alternative. They soften clothes, cut down on static, and even help clothes dry faster by keeping them from clumping together. You can buy them, but if you’ve got an old 100% wool sweater that’s shrunk beyond saving, you can DIY your own.
Just cut it into strips, roll them into a tight ball, and toss them in the dryer. I switched to wool balls a while back, and they work just as well as dryer sheets—without the added chemicals or extra waste. Plus, you can add a drop of essential oil if you miss that fresh laundry smell.
Stop Losing Socks for Good
If you’ve ever torn apart a load of laundry looking for a missing sock, you know the struggle. I swear there’s a secret portal in washing machines that only eats socks. But after years of dealing with orphaned socks, I found the fix—a mesh laundry bag.
Just toss all your socks in the bag before washing, zip it up, and throw it straight into the dryer. No more digging through piles or ending up with a stack of lonely singles. This is a lifesaver for baby socks too—because those things disappear faster than you can blink.
Baking Soda Works Better Than Fabric Softener
I used to love the smell of fabric softener until I realized it was making my towels weirdly stiff and less absorbent. If you’ve noticed the same thing, skip the softener and use baking soda instead. Just add it to the rinse cycle, and your towels will come out feeling fresh and actually do their job again.
Baking soda also boosts detergent and bleach, making whites brighter and clothes cleaner. I keep an extra box in the laundry room because it’s cheap, easy, and way more useful than I ever expected.
Dry Clothes Faster Without Waiting Forever
Nothing’s worse than realizing the one thing you need to wear is still wet. I’ve been there more times than I can count. Instead of running the dryer twice, toss in a couple of dry bath towels with your wet clothes. The towels soak up extra moisture, cutting down the drying time.
This works especially well for thick stuff like hoodies and jeans. Just remember to pull the towels out after 15 minutes so they don’t end up damp and slow everything down again.
Fix a Shrunken Sweater With Hair Conditioner
I learned this one the hard way—by accidentally shrinking my favorite sweater and panicking. If you’ve ever pulled something out of the dryer and realized it’s now toddler-sized, don’t give up just yet.
Fill a sink with cool water and mix in a bunch of hair conditioner. Let the sweater soak for at least 30 minutes to loosen up the fibers, then gently stretch it back to size. It won’t work miracles, but it can absolutely save a sweater from being a lost cause.
*This article was created with the help of AI.