Back-to-school season is here which means dealing with the inevitable mountain of laundry day after day. Between sports uniforms, school clothes, and weekend outfits, the laundry pile can grow quickly. But don’t worry—these back-to-school laundry hacks will help you stay ahead of the game and keep your kids looking and smelling fresh all year long.
1. SORT AND ORGANIZE
Get into the habit of sorting and organizing laundry. Create a system that’s easy for both you and your kids to follow:
- Designate Hampers: Use separate hampers for lights, darks, and delicates. This makes it easy for your kids to help out and saves you time on laundry day.
- Label Everything: If you have more than one child, labeling their clothes or using color-coded hampers can help keep everything organized.
2. PRE-TREAT STAINS IMMEDIATELY
School clothes are magnets for stains—from grass stains on jeans to ketchup on shirts. The key to keeping clothes looking new is to treat stains as soon as they happen:
- Keep a Stain Spray Handy: Place HEX Stain & Stink Remover in the laundry room or even in the car for quick application. The sooner you treat the stain, the better the results.
- Pre-Soak Tough Stains: For stubborn stains, soak clothes in cold water with some detergent before tossing them into the wash.
3. USE THE RIGHT DETERGENT
Not all detergents are created equal, especially when it comes to the activewear and synthetic fabrics that your kids live in. Regular detergents can leave residue and odors trapped in these fabrics:
- Choose a Specialized Detergent: HEX Performance detergent is specifically designed to clean and protect the synthetic fabrics found in today’s clothes and activewear. It helps remove odors, dirt, and bacteria that other detergents leave behind.
- Don’t Overdo It: Using too much detergent can actually cause build-up and make clothes feel stiff. Follow the recommended amount on the bottle for the best results.
4. MASTER THE ART OF QUICK DRYING
Busy school schedules mean you don’t always have time to wait for clothes to air dry. Speed up the process with these tips:
- Use Dryer Balls: Tossing a few dryer balls into the dryer can help reduce drying time by up to 25% and keep clothes soft and wrinkle-free.
- Hang-Dry Delicates: For items that need to air-dry, hang them near a fan or open window to speed up the process.
5. FRESHEN UP BETWEEN WASHES
Sometimes there’s no time for a full wash, especially with busy kids. Keep clothes fresh between washes with these simple hacks:
- Use a Fabric Spray: HEX Performance Deodorizing Spray is perfect for quickly banishing odors and refreshing clothes in between washes. It's perfect for freshening up gym clothes, shoes, or anything that needs a quick pick-me-up.
- Try a Quick Steam: Hang clothes in the bathroom while your child showers to let the steam help release wrinkles and freshen fabrics.
6. TEACH YOUR KIDS LAUNDRY BASICS
As your kids get older, it’s a good idea to start teaching them how to do their own laundry. Not only does this lighten your load, but it also teaches them valuable life skills:
- Start with Sorting: Teach them to sort laundry by color and fabric type.
- Show Them the Basics: Walk them through measuring detergent, setting the washer, and understanding fabric care labels.
Back-to-school season doesn’t have to mean laundry chaos. With these simple laundry hacks, you can keep your kids’ clothes clean, fresh, and ready for anything the school year throws at them. By staying organized, using the right products, and getting the whole family involved, you’ll be able to manage the laundry pile with ease.