Coffee stains, tangled sheets and hard-to-wash, yet often-worn items can be a headache when it comes to doing laundry. Thankfully, tons of clever hacks can help the never-ending task feel less like a chore.
In honor of National Laundry Day, lifestyle and beauty expert Bahar Takhtehchian stopped by the 3rd hour of TODAY to share fixes to all of the above challenges.
From a tough stain remover to a wad-free way to wash bedding, we’ve compiled these solutions and more that promise to leave clothing and other items looking as good as new.
Laundry products seen on the 3rd Hour of TODAY
Sealegend Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit
Prevent dryer fires and help your clothes dry at a quicker rate with regular cleanings made easier with this cleaning kit, which includes a vacuum hose attachment that gets into every nook and cranny. One writer was shocked at the amount of lint and other debris she managed to fish out, calling it a satisfying and impressive clean.
Takhtehchian notes that you can even use this in other hard-to-reach spaces, such as under the couch and fridge.
Wad-Free Bed Sheet Detangler
Named the “ultimate” hack for washing your bedding by one writer, this product makes tangled sheets a thing of the past. Not to mention, Takhtehchian says the bulkiness of bedding can cause the washer to go off balance. That’s why she likes these sheet detanglers for efficient washing and drying, too.
Simply tuck each of the corners into one of the allotted holes, and in our experience, your sheets will come out drier and with fewer wrinkles.
Newraturner Portable Clothesline (Pack of 2)
Certain fabrics benefit from skipping the dryer and air-drying instead. This clothesline is ideal for travel, camping and other indoor/outdoor use, says Takhtehchian. And, it takes just a few seconds to set up.
According to the brand, it can be fastened to any sturdy surface, thanks to the bungee cord-like hooks at each end. You can use it to hang socks, bathing suits, undies and more delicates.
Haiou Hat Washer for Washing Machine
When was the last time you washed your favorite baseball cap? Experts say that if you wear it regularly, it should be washed “several” times a year, to avoid acne, skin irritation or a potential infection.
Takhtehchian says this laundry gadget can help you clean it properly while maintaining its shape. “Just open up the ‘cage,’ put your hat in, and place the device in the washing machine using the gentle cycle,” she suggests. “You can also use this device in the dishwasher!”
Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Laundry Sheets
Miss Mouth's is a Shop TODAY-favorite brand for getting rid of stains on clothing items, couches and shoes — now their laundry detergent sheets are getting the spotlight. These can be a great alternative for those who want to avoid liquids or pods, which can be dangerous to kids and pets, says Takhtehchian.
The hypoallergenic formula makes them safe to use on sensitive skin without fear of irritation, while the petite packaging makes it easy to take them on the go, according to the brand.
Oxiclean Maxforce Laundry Stain Remover Spray
Tackle tough stains with this pretreatment spray, which promises to reverse wine spills, grease and more tricky spots. Spritz this on the affected area, then let it sit for five minutes or up to a week before tossing it in the wash.
Takhtehchian says this can also be a great solution for large items that can't easily go into a machine, such as furniture. For instance, one editor used this product to clean a potentially disastrous coffee stain on her white ottoman.
More laundry products to shop
Bagail Laundry Mesh Bags
You can trust these bags to protect your swimwear, lace and more finicky fabrics to go through the wash and come out the other side undamaged. Reviewers say they can even be tossed in the dryer without fear of shrinking or falling apart, too.
OxiClean White Revive Laundry Whitener and Stain Remover Power Paks
Does your white tee need a refresh? These power packs promise to help by employing the use of a chlorine bleach alternative to help worn clothes look new again.
Beautural Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover
Sweater weather may be coming to an end soon, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up clothing items before putting them in storage. This lint remover and fabric shaver rids thicker materials (or workout leggings!) of pills, lint, fuzz, and more with a couple of quick swipes across the affected areas.
Furzapper Pet Hair Remover
If you live with a furry friend, this reusable and affordable laundry hack ensures clothes remain free of pet (and human) hair.
Simply toss it in the washer and dryer along with your clothes, and it'll collect the hair throughout the process, leaving you to easily dispose of the hair afterward.
Puracy Stain Remover
Coffee and a white button-up is always a risky move — it’s likely to end up on your shirt. This was the case for writer Emma Stessman, which led to her trying out this stain remover one day in the office.
“While I had relatively low expectations, I was so impressed by the results,” she says. “And I was even more excited later when I went to the product page on Amazon and I saw it was only $8!” She even tested it further by spilling athletic greens on a light-colored tee, to end up with the same results — her shirt looked good as new.
Brabantia Laundry Folding Board
In an attempt to get my sister and me to help out with household chores, my parents bought us a folding board. It worked — we became satisfied by how crisp our clothes looked in our closets thanks to a folding how-to featured on the tool.
This specific one hangs easily in your closet when not in use, and features imagery on how to fold button-ups and a basic tee.
Gleener Fabric Shaver and Lint Brush
Made for clothing and furniture alike, this brush comes with three different attachments depending on the type of material you're brushing.
A bulkier blade is designed to de-pill and get lint off of thicker, more durable fabrics, while a medium blade is meant for less thick items and a delicate, smaller blade is made for clothing items such as linen or silk.
Haus Maus Original Laundry Guard
If you're working with limited space in your laundry room, these "guards" make it easier to ensure no sock gets lost behind the washer and dryer, by setting up a dedicated space for spot treating or folding laundry.
Rolitwils Portable Clothes Dryer
The brand says this portable and compact clothes dryer is perfect for those who don't have in-unit or building laundry — apartment dwellers, to use when camping, or in a dorm room.
It has built-in UV lighting that adds an extra layer of cleaning power, and you can adjust time and temperature settings with a remote control to ensure fully dried clothes every time.
The Nori Press
Ironing just got a whole lot easier — this portable, travel-friendly device was one of Shop TODAY's Gifts We Love in 2024, for "making travel less of a pressing situation."
Writer Danielle Murphy loves how fool-proof it is, making it easy to iron any material or fabric, no matter if you're wearing silk to a wedding or getting wrinkles out of a work shirt.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. The items here were chosen by our team of editors, producers and Bahar Takhtehchian.
Meet the expert
- Bahar Takhtehchian is a lifestyle and beauty expert who formerly stopped by the show to highlight multitasking cleaning items, travel products and more.
