Self Help

A well-thought-out laundry system will keep your clothes ready to wear and take less time. Here are some tips for getting control of your dirty clothes:

1. Treat stains as soon as you notice them. Learn something about the chemistry of stain removal. It will save you lots of money and time.

2. Learn how to use your washing and drying appliances. Read the manuals and follow directions. Select the right cleaning products for your appliance and water type (you might want to have your water tested and may need to purchase a water softener if it’s especially hard).

3. Take clothes out of the dryer immediately and fold or hang them. You may hardly ever have to iron if you observe this simple rule. If you forget to take your clothes out of the dryer, throw in a damp towel and re-dry five to ten minutes to remove wrinkles.

4. Dampen a washcloth with liquid fabric softener and toss in the dryer. It’s cheaper than disposable fabric-softener sheets and works just as well.

5. If you go to a laundromat, set up a caddy with all the products you need, including a stain treatment kit.

6. Sort ironing by the temperature required. Dampen as you go. Have on hand the following products for fighting stains and learn how to use them: acetone (not nail polish remover), ammonia, bleach (for both white and for colors), club soda, color remover, dry-cleaning, solvent, enzyme pre-soak, glycerine, hydrogen peroxide, oxalic acid solution, paint remover, petroleum jelly, sodium thiosulfate or sodium hyposulfite (get at a photo store), and white vinegar.

Here are four more tips to further speed along the weekly wash:

1. Have a basic mending kit handy. If you do your laundry at a laundromat, be sure you take it with you to do small mending jobs while you wait.

2. Kids mean more repairs and more laundry. Look for shortcuts. Use fusible bonding fabric, iron-on patches, a button puncher, and else anything that’ll save time and effort.

3. If the laundry has really piled up, you can go to the laundromat and get it all done at once (even if you have laundry facilities at home). If you’ve got 10 loads to do, you can fill up 10 washers and dryers and do all 10 loads in the time it takes to do one. Go at off-peak hours so you don’t have to wait for a free appliance. You’ll go home with everything washed and folded and only a few things to iron or mend when you get home.

4. Limit items that take special care such as old linens and handmade items and make sure you really enjoy the extra work it takes to keep them.