10 Tweaks That Will Save You Time on Laundry Day

Choose a Top-Loader Machine

In the market for a new washing machine? Skip the trendy front-loaders and go for an old-school top-loader instead. This way, you’ll spend less time maintaining your machine. “Front loaders need a little extra love,” Lindsay Zollman, senior consumer analyst and appliances expert at Hisense tells me. “Cleaning the rubber gasket and leaving the door open after a cycle helps prevent mildew and that musty washer smell.”

So, cut down on maintenance and choose a top loader instead.

Opt for Divided Hampers

You’re probably spending way too much time sorting all of your laundry, but there’s an easy solution: divided hampers. Best of all, this allows the whole family (even young kids) to get involved. “Sorting laundry doesn’t have to be a whole production—divided hampers let everyone separate lights, darks, and delicates as they go, so you’re already one step ahead come laundry day,” says Zollman.

Pre-Treat Stains

Are you naturally messy (it’s okay—no judgements here) or do you have young kids who are constantly spilling things? Instead of waiting to treat stains until laundry day, Zollman advises pre-treating stains right when they happen. “This means you won’t waste time trying to fix a set-in mess later—or worse, having to rewash the whole item,” she says.

Use a Pod-Based Detergent

Skip the big, heavy bottle, the measuring, and the spills, and go with pod-based detergents over liquid and powder. “For washing, [laundry pods] offer convenience as they are pre-measured, making the process mess-free and efficient,” Cardiff says.

Choose the Appropriate Washing Machine Cycle

Cardiff shares that while the speed wash cycle is often the fastest, other cycles can also save you time. “For washing, cycles designed for lightly soiled or delicates often have shorter durations, and are often perfect for your everyday laundry,” he explains.

Don’t Deliberate Over Water Temperature

According to Zollman, the cold water cycle works for most garments. So, go with that for every load. “Skip the sorting drama and get loads going faster without worrying about damage,” she says.

Better yet, you won’t need to waste time trying to decode those tiny and hard-to-read garment labels. 

Try Wool Dryer Balls

Other than making your clothing smell good, there are very few good reasons to use dryer sheets. “Dryer sheets can help reduce static and wrinkles, but they’re single-use and may contain skin irritants,” notes Zollman.

Instead, use wool dryer balls, which can last for years and are far less costly than dryer sheets. “If you want a reusable, chemical-free option, wool dryer balls do the trick and also cut drying time,” Zollman continues.

Choose the Appropriate Dryer Cycle

You can also shorten dry time by using the right dryer cycle. “For drying, cycles like quick dry or timewear are usually faster and gentler than heavy-duty options, especially when combined with dryer aids, like wool dryer balls that shorten overall dry time,” explains Cardiff.

On the other hand, Zollman suggests using sensor cycles if that’s an option on your dryer. “Sensor settings stop automatically when clothes are dry, which saves time and energy and protects your fabrics,” she says.

Clean Out the Lint Trap

A full lint trap reduces airflow and increases drying time, explains Zollman. “Don’t forget to empty the lint trap after every load—this improves airflow and drying efficiency, and it’s an easy safety step too,” she says.

A full lint trap could also result in a fire, so this is a very important step you shouldn’t skip between laundry loads.

Make Laundry Part of Your Daily Routine

Do you dread laundry day because it takes so long? Hot take: make laundry day every day, and you’ll dread it less because you’ll get the job done faster.

“Doing smaller, more frequent loads can prevent laundry from piling up, making each session quicker and less daunting,” notes Cardiff. “Smaller loads can mean quicker washes, too.”