10 Tried-and-True Products to Make Laundry Easier

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Smart Ways to Make Washing Clothes a Breeze

By Michelle Lau

Shopping Editor

If you're hoping to cut down on the time you spend doing laundry, we've got a few tried and true tips to make washing your clothes effortless and efficient. Over 15 years as a shopping editor, I've ironed out my favorite tricks, including my must-have detergents on rotation, using a collapsible laundry basket, and my planet-friendly approach to wiping out static cling. Plus, I've loaded up on a couple of my mom-approved cleaning secrets, the ones she's used to tackle dirty clothes for years. These 10 products will help you hit the reset button on laundry day ensuring it's hassle-free.

Laundry Detergents: When it comes to the heavy hitters, I've been following in my mom's footsteps. She's been a loyal fan of Tide Pods for decades for good reason. We chose it as our best overall pods pick since it handled stains like a champ—and left our clothes softer than before washing. Personally, I love how easy pods are, there's no mess or a need to measure. As a person who suffers from allergies, I also stock up on All Free Clear Mighty Pacs, since they remove tough stains and odors, and are free of fragrances, perfumes, and dyes. When my skin and nose are especially sensitive, they keep me from getting itchy or sneezing. New on my radar is Kris Jenner's Safely Laundry Detergent, which I've been testing at home for the last few months. It's got a huge following, and I can see why: The plant-based formula smells out of this world. While there are a few scents to choose from, like Calm and Rise, I like the one called Bright (imagine fresh and crisp with notes of grapefruit and blackcurrants).
Laundry Basket: To make carrying loads of laundry a lot less cumbersome, I'm obsessed with the Sammart Collapsible Laundry Basket, which we ranked as our best overall laundry basket. Unlike a standard basket, it has three handles and folds up neatly so you can hide it away on the side of your dryer.
Dryer Balls and Magnetic Container: Just this year, I decided to finally test an alternative to my usual box of dryer sheets. Although dryer balls make a lot of noise while in use (you'll hear them thumping around), I love knowing that my Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls are eco-friendly and a whiz at handling static and wrinkles. And, while I'm at it, here's a hot tip: Fasten a magnetic holder like this storage container from Amazon to the face of your appliance to keep rolling, loose balls in order when not in use.
Foldable Ironing Board: Admittedly, dragging out the iron and ironing board is one of my biggest challenges. If you're like me, I found you can lessen the trouble (and save time) by investing in a wall-mounted ironing board, like this one from Amazon. Just unfold the compact board, which extends from the wall, and iron out wrinkles in a jiffy.
Stain Remover: When it comes to impossible stains, I'm a devoted fan of OxiClean Max Force 5 in 1 Laundry Stain Remover. From grassy smudges to bloody stains, OxiClean is a proven winner. I spray stubborn stains, let them sit for a few hours, put the clothes through the wash, then presto, it works like a charm.
Mesh Laundry Bags: Leave it to my mom to provide the most trusted tips. Her favorite laundry product? A stash of zippered mesh bags. Muchfun Honeycomb Mesh Laundry Bags are a necessity to keep delicates from unraveling and a way to safely wash your white canvas sneakers. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to prolong the life of your favorite items.
Fabric Shaver: Here's the buzziest device on the list—I absolutely adore my little Bymore Fabric Shaver. It's a celebrated pick on TikTok, and it really works, clipping those annoying fabric pills without clogging up blades or causing snags on my cute sweaters.