6 laundry hacks to see if you’re a fan of folding
Let’s be honest: Some chores are more boring than others, and they seem to go on forever with no end in sight—and many of us would probably add laundry to that list. By the time everything is washed and dried, the idea of folding and putting away clothes and linens may seem like a step too far.
We want to help you find a better solution, so you can actually look forward to laundry day. Cleaning and laundry experts offer their best advice on how to neatly pack clothes without spending time folding them completely.
hang it up
Placing clothes and linens on hangers directly outside the dryer keeps them wrinkle-free and eliminates the need for folding. This is ideal for items like jackets, dresses, and T-shirts that don’t wrinkle as easily as other pieces of clothing, says Karina Toner, operations manager for Spekless Cleaners.
Toner suggests taking this one step further. “Hang clothing items together—a lightweight jacket over a dress or blouse, or a lightweight sweater over a button-up shirt for a professional, elegant look,” she says. “With this simple layering trick, you’ll save time on laundry day and when getting ready in the morning.”
Not enough space to hang everything? No problem. “Consider installing tension rods in cabinets or under shelves for extra hanging space,” says Toner. You can also add hooks to the back of doors and use them to hang scarves, coats, and anything else you want to avoid folding.
roll with it
Not only can folding clothes the traditional way be time consuming, but it can also take up a fair amount of space in your wardrobe drawers. Consider the rolling method, which requires less work and less space in your drawers.
“Rolling clothes is a great way to prevent wrinkles, save space and is much more efficient than having to fold clothes individually,” says Toner. “Roll your shirts, pants, and socks tightly and store them in drawers or boxes.”
This idea can also be used with bed linen. Roll up a sheet set and place inside a matching pillowcase. Then, when it’s time to make the bed, you can just grab the pillow case and not have to hunt around for the matching pieces.
Use the tools
Many clothing store employees use folders to neatly display their shirts. Tools can act as guideposts because they help people see where to fold on each end. “Tools such as folding boards, hangers, or clips can make the task of folding clothes easier and more efficient,” says Toner.
Lighten the loads
Sometimes we have to trick ourselves into making a chore seem less stressful. For laundry duty, that means making more look less.
“Small loads can be easier to handle and faster to fold, which makes the overall task seem less stressful,” says Toner. “Prevents laundry build-up, and reduces time spent sorting and folding.”
Doing the task in smaller portions will help the task feel less tiring compared to if it was done with one full load.
Bring baskets
If you’re the only person in your family who handles the laundry, it’s time to share the work.
“Assign each family member a basket and label it accordingly,” says Lily Cameron, Supervisor at Fantastic Services. “This method can help you save time and keep your laundry more organized.” Division of labor will reduce the weight of a particular person. It also allows everyone to fold and store their clothes the way they prefer.
Baskets can also be a good choice for items around the house that may not necessarily need to be wrinkle-free or clean. “For larger linens, toss them in the basket without folding them,” says Toner. “This can be especially useful for items that are used frequently, such as throw blankets for the living room area.”
Outsourcing work
If none of these tips make folding palatable enough for you, never fear: You don’t have to do it at all. Many laundromats offer washing and folding services. You can leave dirty clothes and linens and pick them up, sometimes on the same day, clean and well folded.
We all need clean clothes and linens, and we want them to look neat and wrinkle-free. Try some of these expert tips to make this daily chore seem easier, faster, and stress-free.
Read next: Top 10 laundry tips for success
