5 laundry hacks to keep your clothes looking like new

Overuse of detergent can leave residue that makes fabrics look dull and dingy. Use an amount appropriate for your washing machine size and be sure to follow the instructions on the laundry product packaging. The same approach will be when adding fabric softener. Fabric softener builds up in fabrics over time, leaving them feeling sticky and slow-to-dry—not ideal for spring cleaning! Use less than you think you should; most people only need about half as much as they think they will for optimal results.
When adding bleach or stain remover, use the manufacturer’s suggested amounts to avoid damaging your clothes. Bleach breaks down natural fibers like cotton, which means your clothes won’t look as bright or last as long if they're exposed to too much of it over time. If you find yourself with a stubborn stain that just won’t come out no matter what, try using a different method before resorting to harsh chemicals like bleach (and make sure not to mix those two!).

Vinegar is a natural fabric softener, so it will help reduce static and leave your clothes smelling fresh. You can even use vinegar to remove stains from your laundry. To add vinegar to your laundry:

• Wash the items in warm water with 1 cup of vinegar or soak the stained item overnight in 1 cup of white vinegar and 3 cups of water.
• Do not mix chlorine bleach products with ammonia cleaners like window cleaners or toilet bowl cleaners because they can

create toxic vapors that may irritate your eyes and lungs.

The best way to prevent a stain is to treat it as soon after the spill occurs as possible. Soak up liquids with a clean, absorbent cloth or paper towels, then dab with a prewash stain remover and let it sit for 10 minutes before laundering. If you have time, soak the stained item in cold water overnight and gently rub the area when you wash it; this will help break down any dried-in stains that are left behind.

Pretreat tough stains like blood or grease by rubbing them with prewash spray or detergent before washing in warm water and regular laundry detergent; then let air dry before ironing if necessary. For grease or oil spots on white garments, use 1/2 cup baking soda mixed into 2 cups warm water; work this paste into your clothes using an old toothbrush or sponge brush; rinse well until clear of suds; then wash it as usual. Stretch knit items while they dry after washing to reduce pilling (tiny balls of fiber that form on fabric).

Fabric softener is an excellent tool for keeping your clothes fresh and soft, but if you're like many of us, you might not want to use liquid fabric softener. We suggest using a dryer sheet instead because it's easier to store in the laundry room and can be used multiple times before being tossed in the trash. To make this hack even more effective, add a bit of vinegar to your rinse cycle—it will help eliminate any lingering odors from detergent or fabric softener.

You love your clothes, and you want them to stay looking as good as new for longer. One way of doing this is by not overloading the dryer. Overloading the dryer causes wrinkles and stress on your clothes fibers. The more pressure there is on your clothing, the more likely it will wrinkle when worn or washed again.

If you're trying to avoid wrinkling from overloading and don't have enough space in your house for a second dryer (or if you just don't want another appliance), consider hanging up wet clothes that aren't dry yet instead of putting them back in the hamper right away. If they're left hanging out in humidity-free areas such as bathrooms or closets, they won't develop mildew like wet clothing does if left sitting on top of other items in a hamper.

There are many laundry hacks out there to help you keep your clothes looking great, and they don't take much time or effort. Keeping your clothes looking good is important. When you spend money on a new shirt, a pair of jeans, or even a pair of socks, you want them to look nice for as long as possible. But there are ways to keep your clothes looking like new that don't require tons of time or effort.

The best part about the laundry hacks we shared is that they're easy to do and can make a big difference in how your clothes look and feel. So, go ahead, give them a try!