The Laundry Witch
by Coryanne Ettiene, Housewife Bliss.
create a place for orphaned socks
One of the down sides of going from single socialite to married in the suburbs is that your relationship with your dry cleaner suffers and you become well acquainted with your laundry room. Keeping your family in clean clothes is an endless task and enjoyed by few, however having a clean and well organized laundry room will make your life as a laundress a bit more enjoyable, your white goods last longer and maybe even save you a bit of time.
Top tips for becoming a modern day laundress
Deep Clean Action Plan
- Clean your dryer vent: Remove the lint from your dryer’s lint trap at the end of each drying cycle, and for a deep clean remove it, washed it in warm sudsy water and let air dry before returning it to the dryer. While the lint trap is drying, use your vacuum cleaner attachment to clean the trap area, removing all stray lint lurking in the corners, and finish by wiping the area down with a damp cloth.
- Clean your washing machine & dryer: Use warm sudsy water to clean the rubber gaskets on your machine doors, your buttons and the surface of your machines. Once this is done, run a cleansing cycle by filling the washing machine with hot water and a cup of white vinegar to remove any grime on the surface and deep within the machine. Once done move both the washer and the dryer away from the wall, unplug them and use your brush attachment to clean the back of the machines.
Keep it tidy and organized
Everything in its place in this Laundry Room - Don't forget to notice tthe wallpaper! Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens (bhg.com)
1. Create a hold all for orphaned socks.
2. Have a piggy bank for all that loose change jingling about in those pockets.
3. Keep your dryer sheets and detergent within easy reach of your machines.
4. Hang a bulletin board for washing instructions, stain removal tips, and any other laundry knowledge that you want at your fingertips.
5. If space allows, hang a shower rod/hanging rod. They make a great air dryer and waiting space for items in need ironing. And if space is not an issue, go all out with a garment rack.
6. Don’t give yourself any excuses for not folding your laundry the second it is dry.
7. Create a comfortable folding space near the dryer.
Everyday laundry solutions:
- Static is messing with my hair: While doing laundry, separate the synthetic fabrics (especially nylon—are people still wearing nylon these days?) from the natural fabrics (like cotton) when putting clothes into the dryer. A load of all-natural fabrics, is unlikely to produce static.
- Lint on clothes is spoiling my look: Separate clothes that tend to produce lint like towels, sweatshirts, chenille and flannel, from corduroy, velvets and other clothes that attract lint.
- Paper Debris is spoiling my wash: If you do find that you missed an elusive tissue or note and your laundry is covered in paper debris, go over the clothes with a dry sponge or your rubber cleaning gloves. If all else fails, put the offending items on a rinse cycle.
- I need it dry now: Your wet clothes will dry faster if you put a dry towel into the tumble dryer with them.
- I am scared of running colors: Add 1/2 cup of salt to the wash cycle to prevent new colored fabrics from running.
Organize your laundry room for easy access Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens (bhg.com)
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Nothing finer than fresh clean linens…maybe an empty laundry basket? I am delighted to be contributing to your fabulous site. Thanks for sharing, Coryanne
Love the laundry room! Some great tips in this article! I vacuum my dryer out each week. The lint that falls away form the filter into the trap area is often damp and so will make the clothes smell, if its not cleaned regularly. But, I dont give the same attention to the washing machine I must admit. It’s now on the list of jobs to do. I love the idea of having, a ‘stray sock box’ and ‘money box’. Any tiips for cleaning out the car? It’s my afternoon job!! The trouble is that each job leads to another one. I will no doubt be looking around the garage and thinking…..mmmm. Oh what exciting lives we lead……Thanks again Coryanne.
G
Great tip about putting salt into the wash with colors. I usually wash new items alone. Will surely give it a try; my clothes don’t have issues with high blood pressure.
I really don’t mind doing laundry and am slowly getting to be a bit of an expert at it, but thanks for the tip re the errant tissue that gets on the clothes!