Laundry is one of those never-ending chores that nobody really loves. If you’re the kind of person who leaves clothes piled up until you’ve got nothing left to wear, you’re not alone. The good news is, laundry doesn’t have to take up half your weekend. With a few smart tricks, you can cut the time and effort in half—and still get clean, fresh clothes.
Why Laundry Feels Like Such a Time Drain
Laundry isn’t just one job; it’s a chain of mini-tasks: sorting, washing, drying, folding, and putting away. Skip one step, and you’re back to messy piles. For people juggling work, social life, and laundry in London, it’s easy to see why the task gets delayed. But small changes to your routine can make it almost effortless.
Quick Hacks to Cut Laundry Time
1. Sort as You Go
Instead of wasting time sorting before every wash, keep separate hampers for whites, colors, and delicates. When it’s full, it’s ready to go straight into the machine.
2. Use Mesh Laundry Bags
Throw socks, underwear, and delicates in mesh bags. Not only do they protect items, but they also make folding faster since everything’s already grouped.
3. Wash Bigger Loads—But Not Too Big
Washing half loads wastes time and energy. At the same time, overloading prevents clothes from getting clean. Aim for a full but not jam-packed drum.
4. Choose Quick Wash Cycles
Most machines have a 15–30 minute cycle. Perfect for lightly soiled clothes. Use it more often instead of waiting for huge piles.
5. Skip Ironing With Smart Drying
Hang shirts straight after washing or tumble-dry for 5 minutes before air-drying. It reduces wrinkles and eliminates half the ironing.
6. Fold Immediately
It’s tempting to leave clean clothes in a basket, but folding right away saves time later and prevents wrinkles.
Lazy Storage Tricks
- Roll clothes instead of folding for faster storage.
- Stack items vertically (KonMari method) so you can see everything at once.
- Dedicate a drawer for “wear again” clothes to reduce unnecessary washes.
Laundry in London: Extra Challenges
With smaller flats and limited drying space, laundry can feel even more time-consuming. If you don’t have a dryer, speed things up with:
- A heated drying rack.
- A dehumidifier to reduce drying time indoors.
- Microfiber towels to absorb water faster when drying hand-washed clothes.
Products That Save Time
- Wool dryer balls: Reduce drying time by up to 25%.
- Concentrated detergents: No more measuring cups—just one pod or cap.
- Hanging organizers: Store folded laundry in seconds.
The One-Minute Rule
Whenever you pull laundry out of the machine, apply the one-minute rule: if you can deal with it in under a minute (like folding a shirt or hanging trousers), do it right away. It prevents piles from building up.
Outsourcing for the Truly Lazy
Let’s be real—sometimes the laziest (and smartest) move is outsourcing. Professional laundry services handle everything from washing to folding, saving hours every week. Many local services in London even offer pickup and delivery. And if you want to keep up with hacks and tips, pages like Hamlet Laundry’s Facebook page share ideas that make laundry less of a headache.
Final Thoughts
Laundry doesn’t have to drain your time. By sorting as you go, using shorter wash cycles, folding immediately, and embracing a few smart products, you can turn laundry from an all-day task into a quick routine. For anyone managing laundry in London, these hacks are lifesavers in busy city life. If you’re truly done with laundry stress, outsourcing is always an option. Either way, being “lazy” with laundry just means being smart with your time.
