5 Laundry & Closet Hacks With Things You Already Own

Start with the swipe cards: each one uses something ordinary you may already own, and none of these require bleach, mixed chemicals, drilling, or power tools.

For a lightly wrinkled shirt or pair of slacks, toss 2-3 ice cubes or a wet washcloth into the dryer with the garment, then run a short cycle. Reader's Digest describes the trick as a quick steam method that works best on lighter fabrics and should not need more than about 10 minutes. 1

For hand-washed delicates you do not want to put in the dryer, use a clean salad spinner to remove extra water before hanging the item on a rack. The spinner is not a washer; it is a gentle pre-dry step that cuts down dripping. 1

Slice a small pool noodle lengthwise and slip it over the bottom bar of a hanger before hanging dress pants. The added padding creates a wider curve, which Reader's Digest credits with preventing the sharp hanger crease. Cut the foam carefully and keep fingers out of the blade path. 1

Before starting a load, write a dry-erase note on the washer lid for items that should not go into the dryer. Reader's Digest notes that many enamel washer lids wipe clean like a whiteboard, but test a small hidden spot first. 1

Press a strip of foam pipe insulation into the gap between your washer and dryer, or along the wall-side gap, so socks cannot slide into the narrow space. Keep the strip outside the machines, away from vents, cords, hoses, and moving parts. 1

Tiny setup, fewer laundry-day annoyances. Which one would actually change your weekly routine?