You hate sorting, folding, ironing, and the endless cycle of dirty clothes piling up? You’re not alone. Laundry is annoying. But if you’re not careful, your “shortcut” methods are trashing your clothes, wasting time, and making everything harder. This is the no-effort, no-BS guide to doing laundry properly—with as little effort as possible.
Step 1: Stop Sorting Like a Maniac
Forget the complicated four-pile system. Keep it simple:
- Lights
- Darks
- Delicates
That’s all you need. Skip the “whites-only” pile unless you’re bleaching. Put a small bin or basket for each category and sort as you go. No drama on laundry day—just grab a bin and throw it in.
Step 2: Use Mesh Bags for Everything
Buy a few mesh laundry bags and throw your underwear, socks, bras, and delicates in them—always. This way:
- Socks don’t disappear
- Bras don’t get wrecked
- Delicates stay in shape
- No need to sort tiny stuff afterward
It also saves you time when unloading. The bags go straight from washer to dryer or rack.
Step 3: Use One Detergent for Everything
Unless you’re dealing with newborns or serious allergies, you don’t need five types of detergent. Choose one good quality, all-purpose liquid detergent and call it a day. Preferably something enzyme-based so it works well on both cold and warm washes.
Pro tip: Use less than the recommended amount. Too much = residue + stink.
Step 4: Always Wash on Cold
Unless you’re cleaning towels or bedsheets, cold water is your best friend. It:
- Saves energy
- Prevents shrinkage
- Protects colors
- Works with most detergents
Set your machine to “cold” and forget it. Works for 90% of your laundry.
Step 5: Stop Overloading the Machine
It’s tempting to cram it all in and be done—but you’ll just end up with half-clean clothes. Fill the drum ¾ full max. Clothes need room to move, rinse, and drain. Otherwise, they just soak in dirty water.
Too lazy to run two loads? Fine—but accept mediocre results.
Step 6: Ditch Fabric Softener
You don’t need it. It coats your clothes with chemicals, ruins towels, clogs machines, and doesn’t actually clean anything. If you want soft clothes, use ½ cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle. It’s cheap, natural, and way more effective.
Step 7: Skip Ironing—Do This Instead
No one likes ironing. The lazy solution:
- Shake out clothes right after the wash
- Hang them immediately
- Smooth with your hands
- Use a handheld steamer if absolutely necessary
Even better—buy wrinkle-resistant clothes. The less ironing required, the better.
Step 8: Air Dry Strategically
Can’t be bothered to sort what should go in the dryer? Make it simple:
- Air dry anything stretchy, expensive, or delicate
- Machine dry everything else on low heat
Use a drying rack and just throw it all on there. You don’t need to fold while drying—just spread items flat and space them out.
Step 9: Fold Like a Minimalist
Folding isn’t optional—but you don’t need to Marie Kondo your entire drawer. Follow this rule:
- Fold only what creases easily (shirts, pants)
- Roll everything else (underwear, t-shirts, socks)
- Stack by type, not color or season
Your drawers stay organized, and you don’t waste brainpower trying to do it “perfectly.”
Step 10: Set a Routine and Stick to It
Don’t wait until you have a mountain of laundry. Pick one day a week. Do it. Get it over with. Start-to-finish in 2 hours max—wash, dry, fold, done.
If that’s too much? Do a small load every two days. Easier, faster, less pain.
Lazy but Smart: Use Tech
Use your phone timer to remind you when the washer or dryer is done. That way you don’t forget clothes for 6 hours and end up rewashing because they smell like mildew. One small habit saves you time and frustration.
The Ultimate Lazy Move: Outsource It
Let’s be honest—some weeks, you just won’t do it. Maybe you’re busy, traveling, or simply over it. That’s where the best laundry in London comes in. Schedule a pickup, toss your dirty clothes in a bag, and let professionals wash, fold, and deliver it back to your door. Zero effort. 100% clean.
Bonus Hack: Capsule Wardrobe = Less Laundry
Want fewer laundry days? Own fewer clothes. A capsule wardrobe of versatile, easy-care items reduces both clutter and time spent washing. Think: neutral tees, wrinkle-free shirts, dark jeans, and machine-washable essentials.
Final Word: Laundry Doesn’t Have to Suck
You don’t need to master laundry to stop ruining your clothes. You just need a system that’s low-effort and high-impact. Cold wash. Mesh bags. Air dry what matters. Fold fast. Skip what doesn’t matter. Or better yet—don’t do it at all and hand it off to someone who will.