These Trusted Essentials Will Make Doing Laundry Less of a Chore
It's time to rethink this dreaded task
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Doing laundry isn’t the most exciting chore, but arm yourself with the proper tools and it might just become tolerable.
An effective detergent that eliminates stains after one wash means less time spent tackling it later by hand. A drying rack will relieve an overstuffed dryer, and a handheld steamer will free garments of pesky wrinkles—and save you from having to get out the ironing board.
I turned to the pros to learn more about the items they deem essential to laundry and clothing care. Here’s what I learned.
Meet the Experts
Jodhaira Rodriguez, a CR writer and lab tester, has reported on a host of laundry and cleaning subjects, such as the safety and effectiveness of laundry additives and the best portable washing machines.
Rich Handel is the senior test project leader and resident laundry expert at Consumer Reports. In addition to having tested hundreds of washing machines, he oversees our tests on other laundry appliances. Don’t miss Handel’s lowdown on common laundry mistakes.
Keith Flamer, CR writer, has covered a range of topics related to laundry and cleaning, including the pros and cons of all-in-one washer-dryer combos and the effectiveness of detergent sheets, as well as a helpful guide to washing towels.
Dryer Companions
Among the initial batch of items I purchased for my first New York City apartment (which naturally lacked a washer and dryer), a drying rack from Ikea was by far the most important. A decade later, I still use it for nearly every laundry load (despite now having a dryer). I was pleased to learn that CR’s Handel not only owns the same one but also considers it indispensable.
While that exact version is currently out of stock, the Mulig drying rack or the Jall are also a great options. Similar to the Frost, it has two wings that fold out for extra drying space and it can collapse just as compactly to be stored when not in use.
L'Avant Fresh Linen Laundry Oil & Wool Balls Bundle
CR writer Jodhaira Rodriguez takes a minimalist approach to laundry. Her shortlist of essentials includes dryer balls, an alternative to fabric softener, which can irritate sensitive skin and leave a layer of residue on your clothes.
“I stopped using fabric softener about a year ago, but I missed the sweet smell it left on my laundry, especially my sheets," Rodriguez says. A fix came in the form of this dryer ball and laundry oil combination. “It doesn’t leave as heavy a scent as fabric softener does, and I just add a couple of drops to each dryer ball every fifth or sixth load to keep them smelling clean.”
Clothing Care Staples
Recently, a highly informal survey among my friends revealed that ironing was not a common practice. This was news to me because I’m sure that if my partner and I had more space in our apartment, an ironing board would almost certainly be a permanent fixture.
“I think fewer people iron today because of more durable clothing materials, and wash cycles that can handle de-wrinkling and steaming,” says CR writer Keith Flamer. “But an iron or steamer can always be helpful, especially if you dress up a lot. I’d recommend a compact ironing board because the larger kind can be difficult to store.”
Shop compact ironing boards: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Wayfair
“I’ll be honest, I don’t iron or steam my clothes as often as I probably should, but on the off chance I do, this is the steam iron I use,” says Rodriguez of the Conair steam iron below. “It’s easy to use, doesn’t take long to heat up, and steams wrinkles out of clothes really well.”
Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 with Turbo GS108
The powerful Conair GS108 is our go-to for blasting wrinkles and ironing out crinkled hems in record time. It has one of our test’s highest steam power ratings and was the only model to tackle creased linen. That’s because it also works as an iron. This model can steam continuously for 11 minutes on its highest setting before needing a refill. You can also turn off the steam and only use the iron.
A pump inside the steamer allows you to use it in any direction: vertically, horizontally, any direction your wrinkled fabric may want to take you. The tank is somewhat difficult to detach from the steamer but is easy to fill and takes only 45 seconds to heat up—15 seconds faster than most of the other models we tested. One of its features that no others had is an optional smart sensor that stops steam when placed on a flat surface and starts steaming again when picked up.
It comes with three attachments: one to protect fine fabrics, one for pleats, and one that pulls fabrics taut and brushes them for better results. Distilled water is recommended.
For more options: The Best Clothes Steamers
Oxo Good Grips Reusable Lint Roller
Don’t overlook this handy tool when stocking your laundry area. Sure a washer and dryer can catch most fuzzy strays, but you may be able to save yourself the trouble of cleaning out the lint trap if you give your clothing a once-over before loading the washer.
Rodriguez loves this reusable lint roller from Oxo because it’s easy to clean and is prime for use on the go. “A few swipes over a black outfit is usually all it takes to get all the lint off my clothes,” she says.
Detergents and Stain Fighters
It’s safe to say that a majority of us are not strangers to tough stains. Tackling them can be quite a feat, but our ultimate stain remover guide is a good place to learn how to tackle spills and spots fast.
And when attempting to remove stains by hand doesn’t quite cut it, bring in the pros.
If your home’s water quality is less than ideal, it’s a good idea to stock your laundry shelf with this concentrated liquid detergent. Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release is more than a superior stain remover—it also works solidly in hard water. In fact, in our ratings, six Tide detergents (liquids and pods/packs) offer near-top-level efficiency in hard water.
Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium that can leave residue on your clothes and mineral deposits inside your washing machine. So you’ll want to go with a high-performing detergent that minimizes hard water minerals and efficiently dissolves residue. Because most homes have some degree of hard water, Tide is a brand worth trying if you’re having trouble getting your clothes clean.
For more options: The Best Laundry Detergents
The OxiClean MaxForce gets down to work. It removes stains from body oil, dirt, salad dressing, grass, and blood with just 5 minutes of soaking time. It achieved first-rate performance in these tests. This stain remover also tackles chocolate ice cream better than the rest. Allow the MaxForce to soak in overnight when dealing with stains from baby food or black coffee.
For more options: The Best Laundry Stain Removers
Washers and Dryers
This top-rated washer-dryer pair is an ideal match and a great value. Both machines are solid performers, Energy Star certified, WiFi-enabled, and have steam cycles.
The LG WM4000HWA earns stellar ratings for washing performance, energy efficiency, and water efficiency, and the brand receives top scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our latest member survey. Its capacity of 4.5 cubic feet capacity handles larger loads, and its steam cycle helps remove tough stains from clothes.
The quiet LG DLEX4000W electric dryer gets high marks for drying performance, reliability, and owner satisfaction. The dryer capacity is 7.4 cubic feet (it’s always bigger for dryers). And the dryer’s steam option helps de-wrinkle your finest fabrics.
This white stackable duo will slip into most laundry spaces, with both machines measuring a standard 39 inches tall, 27 inches wide, and 31 inches deep.
For more options: The Best Washer and Dryer Sets
The LG WT7150CW ranks among the top HE washing machines in CR’s tests, primarily for its first-rate cleaning performance, water efficiency, and minimal vibration. It also earns a top rating for energy efficiency, but its gentleness on clothes is only middling. It can handle big loads with its steel tub of 5 cubic feet. LG’s HE washing machines earned top marks for predicted reliability in CR’s latest member survey, indicating that they’re less likely to develop problems or break within the first five years.
For more options: The Best Washers
Black + Decker 0.9 cu. ft. Portable Washer
Portable washers—prime for small-space dwellers or avid campers—require no special power outlets and can be hooked up to a sink. This version from Black+Decker was a standout in a recent evaluation. It’s light enough to be wheeled easily from room to room and has a lint filter inside of the tub. It earns top marks in our tests for its performance in washing a standard stain swatch and for its portability and ease of use. It ran quietly, notified us when a cycle ended, and had easily customizable wash cycles. A drain pump in the washing machine helps remove water from the tub after a cycle ends without having to elevate the machine.
It’s worth noting that this portable washer can wash loads only in cold water, and its wash cycles tend to be several minutes longer than expected.
For more options: The Best Portable Washers
