Most people are never taught how to do laundry. They might learn a few tips or tricks from their parents, or they might have to figure it out on their own. And once we “figure out” how to do laundry, we rarely change our process or habits. But I’m about to show you the simplest and most effective method for doing laundry. Give it a try and you’ll never go back!
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Laundry Basics
Okay, let’s begin with the basics. If asked to name our most important keys to doing laundry, we’d start here:
- If you have a high-efficiency laundry machine, make sure you’re using detergent that’s specifically designed for your machine. Also, note that most high-efficiency machines perform best when they’re only two-thirds to three-quarters full.
- Follow the labels on bottles and don’t overuse detergent. Using too much will leave your clothes looking and feeling dingy. If that is already the case check out our laundry stripping method here .
- Always, always, always use the proper water level for the size of your load. Your clothes need friction to get clean and having too much water will minimize the necessary friction.
- Always wash your clothes according to the label on the garment.
Your Toolkit
It’s not enough to know how to do laundry. You also need the right tools in your laundry “toolkit.” Here are our recommendations, you can find everything linked here —> (USA) (Canada):
- Laundry Detergents: Tide® Powder, Tide® Powder HE, Tide® Free & Gentle (for those with sensitivities), Tide® with Bleach
- Fabric Softeners: We don’t have a favorite! Choose one with a smell you like
- Stain Removers: OxiClean®, Blue Dawn®, Tide® Stain Remover, Hydrogen Peroxide
- Dryer Sheets: Gain®, Bounce®, Wrinkle Guard®, Snuggle Plus®
- Laundry Stripping: Borax® Detergent Booster, Arm & Hammer® Super Washing Soda
Laundry Stains
All stains are different, so always make sure to read labels and pay attention to the type of stain. Having said that, most stains can be treated with powdered Tide®. (The key is to get to the stain quickly, though!) OxiClean® is another great product to keep on hand for tough stains.
In the #CleaningArmy, we have our own Stain Saviour recipe:
- 1 teaspoon of blue Dawn® dish soap
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide
Scrub this mixture into the stain and let it sit overnight. Wash in cold water the next morning. See these blog articles if you need more help with treating specific stains. (Protein Stains and Food Stains)
The Laundry System
The key to laundry is to keep up! And while you don’t have to be perfect, it does help to have a system in place. Here’s the GoCleanGo system that works pretty well. (Feel free to adapt it to fit your own needs.)
- A Hamper Each. Every individual family member should have their own laundry hamper inside their own bedroom. This prevents clothes from being strewn all across the house and teaches children to take ownership over their clothing. When the hamper is full, it’s time to do a load of laundry.
- Sorting Colors. Separate whites, darks, and reds. This extends the lifespan of your clothing and keeps everything nice and crisp.
- Sorting Fabrics. It’s also a good idea to sort like fabrics together. This includes workout clothes together, bedding together, denim together, towels together, and sweaters together.
- Read Your Labels. Always read labels and follow instructions for each specific piece of clothing.
- Enlist Help. Kids as young as four or five years old can (and probably should) help with laundry. They can begin by sorting and eventually learn how to fold and put away. Once they’re old enough, they can even be taught how to operate the laundry machine.
Welcome to the #CleaningArmy
In the #CleaningArmy, we welcome all of your filthiness with open arms. Whether you’ve got a dirty house, filthy laundry, or anything in between – we have simple cleaning methods that are going to help you kiss the grime goodbye! Grab a copy of The Laundry Handbook to learn more. You can also follow us on Instagram for daily updates.
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gocleanco
Dec 3
My little sister’s surprise bedroom makeover. SPOILER ALERT: She loved it. She texted me that she thought she was in the wrong house 😎 Big thanks to @bollandbranch who gifted her the bedding she has been begging me for 4 years! #merrychristmashappybirthday
gocleanco
Nov 25
Wish y’all coulda been in the car for the debrief on the way home. 🫠🫠🫠 Reminder that the machines that you lean on to “clean” the things in your home also need to be cleaned and maintained. Top 2 dirtiest things in peoples home? The dishwasher and the washing machine. Period.
gocleanco
Nov 18
I circled rollerblades in the Sears Wish Book every year…and every year my mother would patiently explain that we lived on an acreage with gravel roads and rollerblades do not work on gravel…and every year I would be so disappointed when they didn’t show up under the tree. 🤣🤦🏼♀️ #nostalgia #christmastime
gocleanco
Nov 15
PSA: A lot of people don’t know you can do this when you order a gift off of Amazon. At check out, you can select that the item is a gift and then choose the option to add a gift bag and a custom message and this is how it is delivered! You don’t have to worry about the surprise being ruined if they open the box because it’s already wrapped and they can plunk it under the tree. Perfect if you have family far away that you won’t be seeing this holiday season. Saves ya time and energy in the chaos of the season. 🎁🎄🎅🏻🕰️🕰️🕰️ #christmastime
gocleanco
Nov 13
Nostalgic Christmas!!!! Bring on the tinsel and the garland. I can handle it. 🤭We have some fun things planned to take you back to the days when we made ornaments outta fishhooks, so STAY TUNED ya filthy animals! 🎄🎁 ⛄️ 🎅🏻 🤶🏻❄️ ☕️
gocleanco
Nov 12
Best part of getting my hair done is hanging with sister @hellohairhouse the results aren’t too shabby either
gocleanco
Nov 9
Just out here doing the lords work. meganrreed_
gocleanco
Nov 4
Okay my DM’s are full of people asking for this to live on the feed. Brew a cup of coffee. I use a @nespresso pod but any regular cup java will do. Add in one scoop of your fav protein powder (or do half if you find this too sweet). This-is-a-wing-it-to-how-you-like-it-recipe as most cups of coffee are. I used vanilla protein powder here with a sprinkle of cinnamon, tastes a Christmasy! My go to is usually chocolate protein because it tastes like a mocha. Froth it with frother and drink it hot or over ice. This gets me 26 grams of protein right in the morning which helps cause I’m not a breakfast person. I’m trying y’all. 💪🏻 🍑
gocleanco
Nov 1
You asked and I delivered! You have been requesting I test the viral Tineco floor washers forever so here they are! Full break down of the S5 and S3 model in my stories plus they are both on sale at Canadian Tire and Amazon! @tinecoglobal #sponsored #floorcare #evolutionofclean
gocleanco
Oct 28
Best one yet. 🤣😂🤣🤣 I told you guys he looks like @mrclean
gocleanco
Oct 25
I have shared my new BLANCO sink and faucet but let’s talk about accessories, did you know BLANCO also has under sink organization systems? I completed my BLANCO UNIT with the BOTTON II, it tidies up the mess under your kitchen sink and it pulls out like a drawer; you can store your cleaning supplies in it and also has a handy dandy little handle so you can take your supplies with you around the house. I have a post up on their blog that goes into depth about BLANCO maintenance and care, and more tips in my stories so make sure you check them out. You folks had lots of questions about BLANCO last round and I am happy to help. Plus BLANCO customer service can answer any maintenance questions you might have. #sponsored @blancoamerica1
gocleanco
Oct 22
You can’t win them all. 🐷🩰
gocleanco
Oct 20
Ghosts have chores too! #happyhalloween
gocleanco
Oct 13
It’s a blessing and a curse, really. #housework
gocleanco
Oct 11
Me for the last 24 hours straight 🥴😵💫 What didn’t you snag that you had on your heart set on for Prime Big Deals Days? Drop ONE THING you didn’t nab in the comments below and maybe we will do some surprise Amazon deliveries! 🥰 The only thing I have had time to buy for myself is a Home Alone Pillow with Kevin’s face on it and some Tide Rescue 😂 Swipe to see ➡️➡️➡️
gocleanco
Oct 9
It is the final week of the Fall Cleaning Challenge which means we are cleaning the Common Area’s in our homes (that’s hallways, closets, mudrooms, porches and laundry rooms) we are ALSO taking our buckets, Aquablades, power washers and shop vacuums outside to clean up our outdoor spaces before the ❄️ hits. This is a big week. What’s the biggest disaster area that you need to tackle this week? I’ll go first. It’s my scary linen closet which currently it has a sign on on it that says CAUTION ⚠️ 😂 I also got a new leaf blower that I am very excited to blast some dirt and 🍂 with. Pace yourselves, WE GOT THIS! 👊🏻 #cleaningtips
gocleanco
Oct 8
If you are sick of doing dishes, we got this off Amazon for Stella’s apartment cause she didn’t have a dishwasher and she would not stop complaining about it. The little window is so cute, you can watch everything that happening in it, it’s almost as dramatic as and episode of Love is Blind. 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ from Stella! #amazonfinds
gocleanco
Oct 7
Hiiiii 👋🏼 Sarah here. I’m the one behind the cleaning hacks, motivation, business tips, home design, decor and sometimes fashion advice and sassy commentary. Oh and I wrote some books in the early days too 🤓 How long have long have you been following along for the ride? Thanks for sticking with me 💕💕💕
gocleanco
Oct 6
Takes me just as long to pick a blanket as it does a pillowcase. 🫠🤣 Everything is linked up in my Amazon Store front! Link is in my bio. Reminder it’s Prime Deals Days next week so expecting lots of stuff to be on sale next week! My rug is from @ruggable and is 9x12 and called the Kamran Hazel. #falldecor
gocleanco
Oct 4
Entering spooky season but it’s just a regular Wednesday for us. Today I learned not everyone pronounces it 👻—GUR 🤣🤣🤣 #happyhalloween