6 Laundry Tips & Tricks

Let’s get one thing straight right off the top: laundry never ends. Ever. It is the magical regenerating monster that lives in your home, growing stronger with each snack-stained shirt, mystery sock, and “I only wore it for 10 minutes” outfit your toddler flings into the hamper.

But fear not, laundry warrior—I’ve been through the spin cycle more times than I care to count, and I’ve gathered a few tips, tricks, and sanity-saving hacks to help you survive. Possibly even thrive. Or at least not cry into a pile of unmatched socks every Tuesday. Let’s dive in.

1. Sort of Sort Your Laundry

Sorting laundry is great in theory. But in real life? If it’s not glowing in the dark or tie-dyed by a juice box incident, it’s going in the same load. I do a gentle cycle for the "fancy stuff" (aka anything I don’t want to shrink into a doll outfit) and a regular load for everything else. Life is short. Sort lightly.

Pro Tip: Train your kids (or husband) to at least turn socks right-side out. It’s a small ask. A noble dream.

2. The Sock Basket: Give Up Gracefully

Matching socks is a game of heartbreak and loss. Somewhere in your dryer lives a sock-eating portal to another dimension. Accept it. I keep a bin labeled “Lonely Socks” and once a month we hold a reunion ceremony. Sometimes there are tears. Sometimes there are matches. It’s emotional.

3. Make Friends with Baking Soda and Vinegar

These two are your laundry besties. Got smells that won't quit (hello, gym clothes and that wet towel someone hid under their bed)? Toss half a cup of baking soda into the wash and vinegar in the rinse cycle. Science, baby.

Bonus: It makes you feel like a wizard.

4. Fold Immediately or Face the Wrinkle Beast

I know. I know. Folding right away sounds like something only people without kids or actual responsibilities do. But here’s the truth: if you don’t fold it now, it will become Mount Laundry on your couch, and you will mine it like a sad archaeologist looking for clean underwear. Um, yea I've been there...

Hack: Put on your favorite music or podcast while folding. Make it your “me time.” Even if the toddler is climbing you like a mountain goat.

5. Get the Kids Involved (Even If It’s a Disaster)

Will it be perfect? No. Will shirts end up in the pants drawer? Absolutely. But even toddlers can match socks, and older kids can fold (ish). Teach them early—one day you might live the dream of someone else doing your laundry. (We dare to dream big here.)

6. Accept the Never-Ending Cycle

Laundry isn’t a task. It’s a lifestyle. The moment you finish folding, someone’s taking their pants off. If you can, find the humor in it. Or at least mutter sarcastic remarks while throwing another load in.

You are not alone in this rinse-repeat life. Somewhere out there, another mom is sniffing a shirt to see if it can be worn one more time. Solidarity.

Final Thoughts:
Laundry may never end, but neither does your resilience. So pour a coffee, rock that stained hoodie like a badge of honor, and remember—you’re doing amazing. Even if that amazing includes pretending you didn’t see the overflowing hamper for one more day.

Now go forth and tumble dry, my friend. Or don’t. That chair can be your “clean laundry staging zone” for one more night. No judgment here.