Tips to Make Laundry a Little Easier
Throwing all your clothes, no matter the fabric type or color, into the washer and pulling items right out of the dryer as you get dressed may have gotten you through college and your first job. Now that you are a professional and learning to dress not only for the job you have but the job you want, it is time to up your laundry game. Not only will some better laundry practices prolong
the life of some essential investment pieces, but they will also help you look more put together when you show up to work, a networking event, or even a date.
Divide Your Colors
Maybe you have been able to get away with washing your white with other colored clothes, but even if the whites haven’t turned pink, they certainly aren’t as crisp and white as they could be. Nothing is quite as striking as a well-pressed, white shirt. It can be paired with practically anything and make a great impression, so take the time to separate your colors and wash and
dry them separately. Finally, make sure to bleach your whites to prevent them from looking dingy.
Pro Tip: While you should bleach your whites separately, you can get away with mixing certain colors of clothes and prevent dye transfer with color-catching sheets. These products look like dryer sheets and can be thrown in the washer. They collect any loose dye to keep colors bright and allow you to wash larger loads if you don’t want to waste water on half loads of laundry.
Read The Labels
If the tag says hand-wash, dry-clean only, or delicate, pay attention. Washing your clothes according to the manufacturer’s recommendation can keep everything look like new for longer.
Pro Tip: Again, there are some workarounds so that you don’t end up having to hand wash half your laundry pile in the kitchen sink. Invest some mesh laundry bags that can protect stockings, bras, lingerie, and other delicate items. If you place your delicates in these bags, they can be run through the washer and dryer without a problem.
Purchase a Dryer Ball
Throwing in a dryer sheet can feel like a lot to ask after you have gotten to the final stages of your laundry process. Instead of dealing with dryer sheets, which may end up sticking out of your pant leg during an important presentation, invest in a long-lasting dryer ball. It takes some of the thinking out of doing laundry and as a bonus, they come in cute shapes like hedgehogs and cacti.
Find a Good Dry Cleaner
Honestly, if time is precious, having your shirts, pants, and skirts laundered and pressed is well worth the money. In most places, you will pay less than $1.50 per item and it will be professionally cleaned, starched according to your preference, and ironed to perfection. That can be a real bargain for busy professionals who want to look great without spending their Sunday afternoons at the ironing board.
Putting a little time and effort into the way you look will make you feel more confident and project that confidence and authority to others. It isn’t just about being the most stylish. It is about feeling good in your own skin so that you can be your best. Even some simple laundry practices can help transform your look and your attitude.