Laundry Pros Spill Their Best Hacks

If you’re looking to improve your laundry skills, these tips from pros will certainly come in handy as you wash and dry your garments. Whether you’re eager learn how to reduce pilling, are curious as to whether you really have to wash lights and darks separately, and more, you won’t want to skip over these insights from the experts.

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Re-Rinse Clothes to Remove Detergent Stains

It’s always frustrating to run a load of laundry only to spot detergent stains on your clothes as you’re folding them. But don’t assume just yet that your clothes are ruined for good if you spot one of these stains.

You will want to rewash the item(s) in question by placing them on a delicate cycle without soap. “This allows the water to dissolve any detergent residue,” James Joun, founder and chief operating officer of Rinse, says.

He adds that running the cycle on cold should be fine, but if an item’s tag indicates that it’s safe to wash in warm water, that’s even better. “Warmer temperatures help break down the soap more effectively,” Joun says.

In general, you can work to prevent these stains from popping up by reducing the amount of detergent you use in each load. It’s always best to under-dose your laundry than to overdo it.

Another tip Joun offers is to ensure that your washing machine isn’t stuffed to the brim, as this makes it hard for water to rinse away the soap evenly.

Dry Clothes Inside Out to Reduce Lint and Pilling

Lint and pilling both result from friction and heat that arises during washing and drying. To reduce lint and pilling set the washing machine to a delicate cycle, careful not to overload it, and turn items inside out while washing them. Joun also advises separating fabrics by density and colors to minimize friction.

Pre-Treat Armpit Areas to Keep Whites Glowing

Over time, most white clothing items will experience signs of discoloration—this particularly common in the armpit area, where perspiration stains often mix with deodorant residue.

“To tackle this, start pre-treating the armpit area of white clothes with a spray oxygen bleach as early as possible, even before the first signs of yellowing,” Joun says.

Another suggestion Joun offers for keeping white clothes nice and bright is to avoid over-drying them in a hot dryer, as excessive heat can cause yellowing and weakened fabric fibers, leading to a shortened life-span of items and increased potential for holes.

Don’t Overload Your Machine

First, ensure your machine isn’t overstuffed with clothing, as this can present an array of issues—try to keep it around 80 percent at a maximum.

“Washing machines rely on the tumbling action of the clothes to scrub dirt and stains,” he says. “If water and detergent can’t circulate effectively, your clothes won’t get as clean.”

Also make sure to run a maintenance cycle on your machine every now and then, as detergent and residue build up in the machine over time, leading to staining issues.

Use a Dryer Ball Instead of Dryer Sheets

Kevin Busch, president of Dryer Vent Wizard, recommends opting for dryer balls rather than dryer sheets.

“They help dry your clothes faster, reduce wrinkles and static, soften your clothes, and are an excellent choice for those looking to increase their overall environmental footprint,” he says.

Plus, Busch adds, dryer balls are a more cost-effective option than standard sheets and do not leave a waxy buildup on the lint screen. He recommends opting for wool dryer balls due to their natural softening properties.

Wash Whites Only With Other Whites

Give your whites their longest lifespan by ensuring they’re only washed together.

“You should never put anything other than pure whites together, even one stripe on a ‘mostly white’ tube sock will discolor your whites,” says Carol Mehas, founder of arbOUR Products.

When washing white clothes, wash them on the highest setting or with a soak setting.