Most people are never taught how to do laundry. They might learn a few tips or tricks from their parents, or they might have to figure it out on their own. And once we “figure out” how to do laundry, we rarely change our process or habits. But I’m about to show you the simplest and most effective method for doing laundry. Give it a try and you’ll never go back!

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Laundry Basics

Okay, let’s begin with the basics. If asked to name our most important keys to doing laundry, we’d start here:

1. If you have a high-efficiency laundry machine, make sure you’re using detergent that’s specifically designed for your machine. Also, note that most high-efficiency machines perform best when they’re only two-thirds to three-quarters full.
2. Follow the labels on bottles and don’t overuse detergent. Using too much will leave your clothes looking and feeling dingy. If that is already the case check out our laundry stripping method here .
3. Always, always, always use the proper water level for the size of your load. Your clothes need friction to get clean and having too much water will minimize the necessary friction.
4. Always wash your clothes according to the label on the garment.

Your Toolkit

It’s not enough to know how to do laundry. You also need the right tools in your laundry “toolkit.” Here are our recommendations, you can find everything linked here —> (USA) (Canada):

• Laundry Detergents: Tide® Powder, Tide® Powder HE, Tide® with Bleach (US only).
• Fabric Softeners: We don’t have a favorite! Choose one with a smell you like
• Stain Removers: OxiClean®, Blue Dawn®, Tide® Stain Remover, Hydrogen Peroxide
• Dryer Sheets: Gain®, Bounce®, Wrinkle Guard®, Snuggle Plus®  
• Laundry Stripping: Borax® Detergent Booster, Arm & Hammer® Super Washing Soda

Laundry Stains

All stains are different, so always make sure to read labels and pay attention to the type of stain. Having said that, most stains can be treated with powdered Tide®. (The key is to get to the stain quickly, though!) OxiClean® is another great product to keep on hand for tough stains.

At House Work, we have our own Stain Savior recipe:

• 1 teaspoon of blue Dawn® dish soap
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide

Scrub this mixture into the stain and let it sit overnight. Wash in cold water the next morning. See these blog articles if you need more help with treating specific stains. (Protein Stains and Food Stains)

The Laundry System

The key to laundry is to keep up! And while you don’t have to be perfect, it does help to have a system in place. Here’s the House Work system that works pretty well. (Feel free to adapt it to fit your own needs.)

1. A Hamper Each. Every individual family member should have their own laundry hamper inside their own bedroom. This prevents clothes from being strewn all across the house and teaches children to take ownership over their clothing. When the hamper is full, it’s time to do a load of laundry.
2. Sorting Colors. Separate whites, darks, and reds. This extends the lifespan of your clothing and keeps everything nice and crisp.
3. Sorting Fabrics. It’s also a good idea to sort like fabrics together. This includes workout clothes together, bedding together, denim together, towels together, and sweaters together.
4. Read Your Labels. Always read labels and follow instructions for each specific piece of clothing. 
5. Enlist Help. Kids as young as four or five years old can (and probably should) help with laundry. They can begin by sorting and eventually learn how to fold and put away. Once they’re old enough, they can even be taught how to operate the laundry machine.

At House Work, we welcome all of your filthiness with open arms. Whether you’ve got a dirty house, filthy laundry, or anything in between – we have simple cleaning methods that are going to help you kiss the grime goodbye! Grab a copy of our Laundry Guide to learn more. You can also follow us on Instagram for daily updates.For a list of our favorite products, click here.