TikTok has become a hotbed for clever life hacks that make everyday chores easier. Laundry is no exception – creative TikTokers have come up with genius laundry hacks you need to try. From keeping whites bright to finding missing socks, these laundry tips will save you time and frustration. We’ve rounded up the 10 best laundry hacks from TikTok to help you get the most out of washing your clothes. Keep reading to learn insider tricks to upgrade your laundry routine.
Use Vinegar to Keep Whites White
Over time, white clothes tend to get dingy and grey. The secret to keeping them looking crisp and bright? Add vinegar to the wash cycle. The acid in vinegar helps break down residue and prevents dinginess.
How to do it:
- Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the bleach or fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine
- Wash whites as normal with detergent and vinegar solution
- The vinegar naturally brightens and removes stains without harsh bleach
The simple addition of vinegar makes whites look brand new again. No more dull, gray t-shirts and sheets!
Sanitize With Bleach Alternative
While bleach can sanitize laundry, it’s harsh and can damage fabric over time. For a gentler sanitizing boost, use an oxygen bleach additive like OxiClean. It kills 99% of bacteria and germs through the power of oxygen.
Follow these steps:
- Add oxygen bleach powder to the detergent dispenser
- Wash clothes on a hot cycle to activate the bleach
- Whites and colors stay bright while getting deep cleaned
Oxygen bleach sanitizes laundry without the damaging effects of chlorine bleach. Clothes come out fresh and microbe-free.
Use Lint Roller for Pet Hair
Pet owners know the struggle of keeping pet hair off clothes. Rather than sticky tape, TikTokers recommend using a lint roller. The sticky sheets grab fine pet hair that washing alone misses.
Try this pet hair remover hack:
- Before drying, run a lint roller over clothes
- Gently roll it across fabric to pick up pet hair
- Focus on places like sleeves and laps where hair gathers
- Toss used lint roller sheets so hair doesn’t re-transfer in the dryer
Who knew a simple lint roller could be such an effective pet hair removal tool? No more hairy shirts and blankets with this fur remover trick.
Freshen Up Clothes with Fabric Softener
Between body odor, smoke smells, and general stenches, clothes can get pretty stinky. To make them freshly scented again, add a splash of liquid fabric softener to the wash cycle.
Follow these steps for fresh smelling laundry:
- Add 1/4 cup fabric softener to the detergent dispenser
- Wash clothes as usual with your regular detergent
- Fabric softener leaves clothes smelling clean and floral
- Bonus: It helps reduce static and wrinkles too!
Skip pricey dryer sheets and freshen laundry naturally with classic fabric softener. Just a small amount makes clothes extra soft and sweet-smelling.
Dry Clean Delicates at Home
You don’t actually need expensive dry cleaning for delicates like silks and lace. TikTokers swear by this DIY dry cleaning life hack:
How to dry clean at home:
- Fill sink or tub with cool water and add 2 capfuls of hair conditioner
- Submerge delicates fully and let soak 10-15 minutes
- The conditioner cleans without harsh chemicals
- Drain and rinse well in fresh water
- Lay flat to dry or hang delicately
Conditioner is a budget-friendly way to clean pricey or special garments at home. Skip the dry cleaner and save money with this clever trick.
Prevent Pilling with Dryer Balls
Pilling (those annoying fuzz balls on fabric) happens from friction during washing and drying. To keep clothes pill-free, toss wool or rubber dryer balls into the dryer. These balls separate clothes and prevent rubbing during the drying cycle.
Follow these steps:
- Add 2-3 dryer balls to the dryer with wet clothes
- As the dryer runs, the balls bounce and prevent pilling friction
- Pull clothes out pill-free! No need to de-fuzz afterward
- Bonus: Dryer balls soften fabric and reduce drying time
Tossing dryer balls into the dry cycle keeps clothes looking new longer. No more unsightly fuzz balls on your favorite sweaters and pants.
Clean Out Lint Filter
Not cleaning the lint filter is a big no-no – it can lead to longer dry times and even fires. That’s why TikTokers say to pause your load and check the lint filter halfway through drying. Simply:
- Stop the dryer mid-cycle and pull out the lint filter
- Wipe away lint from the filter using your fingers
- Return the filter and restart the dryer
Double-checking for lint halfway through ensures your filter doesn’t get overwhelmed. Your clothes will dry faster and your dryer will run safer.
Skip Stain Treatments with Enzyme Cleaner
No need for a whole arsenal of stain removers – TikTok users swear by enzyme cleaners alone. The enzymes break down compounds in stains, lifting them from fabric.
Try this all-in-one stain solution:
- Apply enzyme cleaner directly on stains before washing
- The enzymes work to remove food, blood, grass, ink, grease stains
- Let sit 5 minutes then wash as usual
- Whites and colors stay bright as stains wash away
Enzyme cleaners are a game changer for removing a variety of stubborn stains with zero harsh chemicals. Toss the stain sticks and peroxide – enzyme cleaner is the MVP.
Dry Shoes Quickly With Tennis Balls
Soggy shoes from rain and snow can take forever to dry. Cut drying time by putting tennis balls in wet shoes, as demonstrated by savvy TikTok users.
DIY this shoe drying life hack:
- Stuff each wet shoe with a tennis ball
- Air dry shoes with balls inside overnight
- The balls absorb moisture and maintain shoe shape as they dry
- Remove tennis balls in the morning to wear dry, undamaged shoes
Tennis balls wick away moisture much faster than air drying alone. No more waiting overnight for soaking shoes to dry out.
Find Missing Socks with a Mesh Bag
One of the most frustrating laundry problems – where do all the missing socks go? Prevent this scenario by using a mesh laundry bag for small items like socks, underwear and pads.
Try this laundry bag hack:
- Fill bag with socks, delicates and other small clothes
- Zip bag closed before tossing in washer and dryer
- Mesh allows clothes to get clean while containing loose items
- Socks and other small items can’t get lost or fall out in the wash
Mesh bags keep all your small laundry items together through washing and drying. No more disappearing socks – it’s a lost sock solution!
Conclusion
Level up your laundry game with these clever TikTok hacks. From brightening dingy whites with vinegar to finding missing socks using mesh bags, these tips will save you time on wash day. Try out these insider tricks and make laundry feel less like a chore. Your clothes will come out cleaner and lasting longer.
Which TikTok laundry hack are you most excited to try first? Let us know how these tips work for you in upgrading your laundry routine!
Frequently Asked Questions About TikTok Laundry Hacks
Laundry hacks are all the rage on TikTok, with clever solutions for common laundry problems. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about TikTok laundry hacks:
How much vinegar should you use to brighten whites?
Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to your washing machine’s bleach or fabric softener dispenser. The acid in vinegar naturally whitens and removes stains without harsh bleach.
What temperature water should you use to sanitize clothes?
Wash clothes on a hot cycle, at least 130°F, to properly activate oxygen bleach and kill germs and bacteria. The hot water ensures a deep clean.
How do dryer balls prevent clothes from pilling?
Dryer balls separate clothes and allow air flow during drying so there is less friction. Less friction means clothes glide past each other in the dryer rather than rub against each other which causes pilling.
How long should you let enzyme cleaner sit before washing?
Let enzyme cleaner soak on stains for 5-10 minutes before washing to give the enzymes time to break down stain compounds. This prevents you from accidentally just washing away the cleaner before it can work.
Can tennis balls damage the shape of wet shoes?
Stuffing wet shoes with tennis balls will not damage them. As the balls absorb moisture they help maintain the shape of the shoe, preventing damage that can happen when shoes air dry for too long.
How many laundry items can fit in one mesh bag?
Mesh bags are very stretchy so they can hold multiple items. You can fit up to 2 pairs of shoes or 3-5 articles of clothing in a single mesh laundry bag. Zip it closed before washing.
Should you put delicates in a mesh bag before drying?
Yes, containing delicates in a mesh bag before drying will prevent items like lace and silks from catching on other clothes in the dryer. The mesh allows air circulation but provides a protective barrier.
Why does the lint filter need to be cleaned mid-cycle?
Lint can overwhelm a dryer filter if left for an entire cycle. Pausing to remove lint halfway through protects your dryer from blockages and ensures all lint has been removed for fastest drying.
How can hair conditioner be used as dry cleaner?
Hair conditioner contains gentle cleaning agents that dissolve dirt and oils without damaging delicate fabrics. Soaking delicates in conditioner cleans them just like harsh chemical dry cleaners but is safe for all fabrics.
What types of stains does enzyme cleaner remove?
Enzyme cleaners can break down food stains, blood, grass, ink, grease, wine, coffee, sweat, urine and other organic compounds. The enzymes dissolve the particles, lifting them from the fabric.
Using clever TikTok laundry hacks can solve all your worst laundry problems – saving time, money and frustration!