3 smart ways to do less laundry – cut this dreaded chore in half with these expert tips

Are towering, teetering laundry piles a familiar sight in your home? For most of us, it's a chore often neglected, but what if there were a way to do less laundry?

As it happens, all it takes is a little expert know-how to cut your laundry load down significantly – namely, washing full loads, sorting laundry properly (yes, really), and spot cleaning correctly.

Here, laundry experts share their top tips on how to do laundry as infrequently as possible.

3 smart ways to do less laundry

1. Wash full loads

While this might seem obvious, more than most people are guilty of shoving in half loads and switching on their machine without using its full potential and filling it sufficiently. Unfortunately, though, doing so is certainly not one of the things people who are good at laundry always do.

Rechelle Balanzat, founder and CEO of Juliette, explains why it's best to fill it to capacity, 'Running your washer only when it’s full maximizes every cycle – saving water, energy, and detergent,' she says.

'You’ll wash less frequently and get more done in fewer loads.'

This way, making sure your washing machine is full will help you swerve any laundry mistakes to avoid, and help you save energy when doing laundry, too.

For larger loads, Rechelle's top pick is the Tide Hygienic Clean Heavy 10x Duty Liquid Laundry Detergent available at Walmart, which she says is 'great for bigger, mixed loads.'

2. Sort laundry efficiently

Do you need to separate your laundry? You might think it's a laundry rule you can break, but in actual fact, it's crucial to sort clothes for laundry, and to do so properly at that, particularly if you want to do fewer loads.

'Sorting by color and fabric type prevents damage and overwashing, so clothes stay fresh and wearable longer,' advises Rechelle. 'Your favorite pieces last longer and need less frequent washing,' which is important as there are probably more than a few things you're washing too frequently.

The best organizing trick to make laundry easier? Sort as you go, says Sherry Berkley, founder and CEO at Proofed.

'Having everyone in your household sort laundry as they discard it is a major time-saver,' she says. 'Keep three smaller hampers: one each for whites, darks, and stain-treated clothes.

'Girl moms may even keep a hamper for pink and red clothes. This method streamlines laundry day.'

And who doesn't want that?

3. Spot clean between wears

If you're clued up on the golden rules of stain removal, you'll know that not every item needs a full wash, and sometimes washing them too often is a laundry habit ruining your laundry and washing machine. In fact, warns Sherry, 'Surprisingly, about 70% of the laundry we toss in the machine doesn't need a full clean.'

Instead, recommends Rechelle, 'Treat small spots instead of throwing the whole garment in the hamper. Less laundry, longer-lasting clothes.'

To do so, begin by identifying the type of stain, as each one responds best to a specific method, advises Sherry. 'Homemade stain removers can be incredibly effective; try mixing hydrogen peroxide with water or using a bit of dish soap diluted with water for common spots,' she says.

And if you're looking for ready-to-use items, Rechelle's pick is the Tide Stain Remover for Clothes available at Amazon, while Sherry suggests the OxiClean Max Force Laundry Stain Remover Spray, also available at Amazon.

'Just be sure to follow the instructions on the label for best results, rinse the section and air dry,' she adds.

You can also, as Rhonda Wilson, quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, says, use a lint roller, such as the bestselling Scotch-Brite Lint Roller Twin Pack available at Walmart.

'Sometimes lint, fuzz, pet hair, or little bits of dust trick us into thinking our clothes are dirty,' she explains. 'They might just look unkempt and that’s totally fixable without running a full cycle.

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet our experts

Rechelle Balanzat

Since starting Juliette, Rechelle has impressively become the youngest female board member of the International Laundry & Drycleaning Institute, and is regarded as one of the most influential leaders in her category, with expertise in all things laundry, from washing correctly, to washing less.

Rhonda Wilson

Rhonda is the quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning, and has been part of the team since 2019. In general, she has over 20 years of experience in the cleaning industry.

Interested in more hacks to make laundry easier? Try washing at lower temperatures, using dryer balls, or harnessing the benefits of air-drying laundry.