The Art of The Laundry : Tips and Tricks
This isn’t just about detergent brands or folding hacks—it’s about reclaiming the laundry room as a space of strategy, self-care, and a little bit of soul. Here, where practicality meets the peculiar, we dig deeper into the daily rituals of washing, scrubbing, sorting, and spinning. These aren’t your average laundry tips—they’re tested, tweaked, and told with a touch of folklore, curiosity, and humor. Clean clothes are just the beginning.
Ever wondered if hot water really kills germs—or just burns energy? We’ve got the science. Debating whether to keep your machines upstairs or banish them to the basement? We’ve weighed the pros and cons. Curious why vinegar is basically liquid gold in your wash cycle? We’ll show you the right way to use it. And if you’ve ever suspected your laundry habits reflect your stress levels…well, you’re not wrong, and yes, we wrote about that too.
The blogs on this page cover the highs, lows, suds, and secrets of the everyday spin cycle. Whether you’re here to optimize your wash or just feel less alone while folding underwear at midnight, consider this your ritual space for better laundry days and brighter laundry nights.
.png/:/cr=t:5.36%25,l:6.66%25,w:86.68%25,h:89.29%25/rs=w:400,h:400,cg:true,m)
Laundry washing strategies predictive of stress levels
Psychologically speaking, it may not matter whether you separate lights from darks, opt for a warm water or cold water wash, or how long you allow the spin cycle to run. But if you want to predict someone’s overall personal stress level, simply ask one key question about the laundry: How often does it get done?
Why Sorting Laundry Matters
Laundry might seem like a simple, mundane task, but if you've ever pulled out a load of whites turned pink or discovered your favorite sweater has shrunk to toddler size, you know that sorting laundry correctly is essential. Sorting isn't just about separating light and dark colors—it's about protecting fabrics, preserving colors, and making sure your clothes last longer.
If you’ve been tossing everything into the washing machine without a second thought, it’s time to upgrade your laundry game. Here’s a complete guide to sorting your laundry the right way.
Should You Change Your ‘Outside Clothes’ When You Get Home?
In short, I have dedicated “outside clothes” and “inside clothes.” I can’t imagine lounging around the house in the same clothes that I wore to work or out to run errands. I live in Manhattan, and even when I leave the building to take out the garbage or run to the corner bodega for milk, I pull on specific sweatpants and Uggs to do so. I consider this a clean, sanitary routine.
Why Is It Always Women Doing Laundry?
Historically, women have shouldered the majority of household chores, including laundry. This trend, deeply rooted in cultural norms and gender roles, persists today, even as societal expectations evolve. Understanding why women are primarily responsible for laundry requires an exploration of historical, cultural, and statistical factors.
Yes, Your Washing Machine Is Using Enough Water
Today's more efficient washing machines use so much less water than older machines that some consumers wonder whether their washer will get their clothes clean. This is especially true for people who have switched from a traditional agitator top-loader to a high-efficiency top-loader. Some are so concerned that they add more water to the machine with a bucket or garden hose.
That's a really bad idea.
Hot Water vs Cold Water: Killing Germs
The effectiveness of laundry in removing and killing germs depends significantly on the water temperature used during washing. Understanding the optimal settings is essential for ensuring hygiene, especially when dealing with items exposed to pathogens, such as bedding, towels, or clothing worn by someone who is sick. This guide explores the relationship between water temperature and germ elimination, providing a comprehensive look at the science and practical application of hot, warm, and cold settings.
Washing Machine Buying Tips
For someone looking to purchase a new washing machine, the below washing machine buying tips can offer good information to help make the decision-making process easier.
The size of the washing machine does matter. For a single person, a couple, or someone with very clean children, a washing machine with a smaller capacity of around 6 kg is probably best. But, for those with larger families, a larger capacity machine of around 10 kg will be more efficient. This will save time and money because fewer washes are needed. Make sure that the washing machine offers options for a half-load to allow for flexibility.
PROS AND CONS: BASEMENT VS. UPSTAIRS LAUNDRY ROOM
If you are remodeling your home or building a new one, one of the concerns will be where to put the laundry room. Many people prefer it to be in the basement, while others like it closer to the majority of the laundry. There are certainly advantages and disadvantages to both. Some of it will depend on the type of house you have, the age and dependability of your plumbing, and your own personal choice. Laundry is not often everyone’s favourite contact sport but it has to be done. Where you put your laundry room should come down to you. Space and convenience are likely the biggest deciding factors.
Secret to Whiter Whites: Skip the chemicals
Naturally, Martha has a solution for both situations—which she shared on television years ago. In the above clip, our founder explains how she restores her favorite colorless items (like the Brooks Brother's top she used as an example in the segment) back to their original brightness.
Too Much Laundry Detergent May Be Making Your Clothes ‘Dirty'?
There's nothing better than pulling an outfit straight from the washer and dryer and enjoying that freshly washed scent. But once you've got the clothes on, instead of feeling soft and clean, your jeans are uncomfortable and stiff, and your top smells a bit, well, funky. The culprit? You're likely using too much laundry detergent.
The Right Way to Use Vinegar in Laundry—and Why You Should
The cleaning agent removes stains, mildew, and lingering odors.
If you've found that regular laundry detergent isn't doing the trick when it comes to cleaning your clothes, we have a solution: white vinegar. The product can brighten clothes, remove stains, eliminate odors, and even act as a natural fabric softener. While it sounds like a miracle product (it often can be!), you do need to exercise caution when using vinegar in laundry, as it isn't suited to all materials. When it's used correctly though, you'll see a noticeable difference in the quality of your clothes when your laundry is done.