Laundry is very rarely anyone’s favorite activity and I won’t even try to tell you that I have become a laundry lover. We tell the truth here. What I can tell you is that laundry is easier and clothes are cleaner. I still have a problem folding and putting away the clean clothes but guys, let’s focus on the positive. We have clean clothes!!!
I don’t know about you but it bothers me so much when I buy a giant tub of laundry detergent or a new bottle of some fancy concoction and clothes aren’t as clean as they could be. Think I’m going to trash that bottle? No sir. I just use it begrudgingly until I’m finished and then pray I have better luck with my next purchase.
Well, those days are over. I finally have my tried and true products that work for our family and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have peace of mind around this issue. Now, there is a caveat. Don’t judge me for using products that aren’t all natural, vegan and gluten-free. I am working on moving towards a more natural state but until then, give me grace.
You don’t have to buy any of these products. I’m just sharing what works for my family because we live hard in our clothes. The kids go to school in person, have swim practice multiple times a week and love playing outside so we are very familiar with dirt, grease and grime. My goal is to have clothes without stains that smell fresh and these products make doing laundry more efficient and most importantly, you don’t feel like it was a waste of time because the clothes are actually clean!
6 LAUNDRY ESSENTIALS
1. Powdered Tide
That’s right. It doesn’t say liquid or tabs but specifically states powdered. I don’t understand the science behind it but our clothes smell cleaner than ever. I’m not talking about overly scented. Just clean with a hint of freshness. Let me remind you that we live on an island and don’t have A/C in every room so sweating is a continuous state. Therefore, I need a detergent that is as strong as what we’re secreting. This stuff just works!
2. Borax
Like I said, don’t come for me if you are 100% natural. We have what the people call hard water. The Virgin Islands uses cisterns and that is the only source of water for the majority of homes. Since moving here, I completely understand the term “rain dance”. This water has higher amounts of minerals (mainly calcium and magnesium) which can leave deposits or film on your body, clothes and dishes. Borax to the rescue. It removes hard water chemicals by raising its pH and essentially “softening” the rain or well water. I use a 1/2 cup right on top of the clothes and it turns into the detergent’s hype man. Go Tide, Go Tide!!!
3. White Vinegar
We use vinegar to clean 90% of the surfaces in our home so it’s always on hand. For urine-related accidents, a little vinegar goes a long way to get those strong smells out of fabrics. Add a 1/2 cup to the dispenser to take care of those extra special scents!
4. Wool Dryer Balls
This is a new one for us. Probably only 2 months old but it makes me feel so much better about myself. Our clothes dry so much faster and I no longer have to use dryer sheets. For you that are addicted to scented clothes, you don’t have to give that up with these. Just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the dryer ball and you’ll have beautifully scented laundry that might even bring a smile to your face. It took a while for me to jump on this bandwagon but I’m a believer now.
5. Mesh Laundry Bags
When I tell you I LOVE these things, I am not even kidding. For anyone who is tortured by unmatched socks on laundry day, this is a must-have. Add to that masks for a family of four which hide in between clothes and in nooks and crannies in the dryer. I’m working on a system to actually keep track of masks from entry to exit but these laundry bags at least keep them wrangled while cleaning. I hope you guys can feel my enthusiasm through the screen!
6. Shout Stain Remover
I could write an entire post about Shout but I won’t. Here’s the thing. It does what it says. My kids are always spilling something on their clothes. I don’t know if it’s clumsiness or hunger but it happens so frequently, I needed to find an effective solution. I found it in Home Depot and decided to give it a try. Flabbergasted doesn’t even capture the emotion. Maybe my bar was low but it hasn’t failed me yet. On top of that, this magical spray removes stains from my white quartz countertops. I mean, talk about a gem. I don’t buy many things in bulk but we always have 2 bottles of this at all times. Don’t sleep on Shout!
There you have it. That’s my whole list. I may adjust this over time but for now, these products are doing it for me and my dirty crew. Please share with me any products you absolutely love especially if they are environmentally-friendly since we know I need to work on that. Anything that makes laundry easier is truly a gift. Stay clean, friends!
I raised 3 sons, so trust me, I know the dilemma of clean anything. However, I was a Tide girl until I tried Gain powder laundry detergent. It really made a difference for my sweaty brood. Tide is still my go-to when I cannot get Gain.
This so informative!! I never heard of the wool balls and using Shout on the quartz counter top. Niiice – I’ll definitely try those.
You rock, Mel!!
Aww, Carla. Thanks so much! I will definitely try out Gain powder detergent especially if it is cheaper and easier to find on island. I’m so glad the post was helpful. Those wool balls really help the laundry dry faster and OMG, Shout is my best friend. I may write an entire post on all its uses but it is a must have in every home.