In a busy household, the laundry basket never seems to stay empty for long. There are the kids' uniforms, the delicate blouses that can’t go in with the towels, and sheets that somehow always need washing. To get out of this endless spin cycle, many of us end up sacrificing our evenings or weekends just to keep up. And even then, it still feels like we’re behind.

If that sounds like your weekly routine, don’t worry – there are smarter ways to stay on top of it all. Let’s jump into a few time-saving laundry hacks that can lighten your load (literally) and give you back some much-needed breathing room.

1) Sort Your Laundry as You Go

If you're waiting until laundry day to separate whites from darks, or towels from delicates, you're adding unnecessary steps to an already tedious process. Instead, get ahead by sorting as you go. It makes your laundry process smoother and helps prevent fabric damage from improper mixing. Whether you do your own washing or rely on a laundry delivery service, this one habit sets you up for success.

Some helpful tips when sorting laundry:

2) Use Mesh Bags for Small or Delicate Items

You’re not the only one who’s had laundry disasters. Missing socks, bleeding color, or tangled delicates happen to the best of us. Small and fragile items are more likely to stretch, tangle, or get damaged during the wash and dry cycles.

Mesh laundry bags help protect those pieces without needing a separate cycle or handwashing. They're a simple addition that improves results without adding time. Plus, they keep your laundry more organized from start to finish.

What to place in your mesh bags:

3) Wash Full Loads, But Don’t Overstuff

Washing small loads wastes time, energy, water, and detergent. On the other hand, overloading your washer keeps clothes from getting fully clean and slows the drying process. The key is to aim for full but not jam-packed loads.

A properly filled washing machine works more efficiently and finishes cycles faster. It also reduces how many loads you have to do each week, whether you’re handling laundry yourself or using a wash and fold pickup and delivery service.

Here's how to properly load the washing machine:

4) Choose the Right Wash Cycle Every Time

Each cycle on your washing machine is designed for different fabric types and soil levels. Using the right setting helps your machine clean better and finish faster. It also preserves the quality of your clothing, so you don’t have to replace garments prematurely. Whether you're using your own washer or trusting a laundry service that delivers, knowing the difference matters.

Quick reference guide for common wash cycles:

5) Use a Fast-Dissolving Detergent or Laundry Pod

Measuring liquid detergent, dealing with clumps, or dealing with leftover powder slows everything down. Using fast-dissolving pods or high-efficiency liquids keeps the process clean and quick. They're especially helpful in low-temperature washes, which are better for colorful or delicate clothing. Fast-dissolving options also help prevent buildup in your machine and on your clothes. This means fewer issues, better cleaning, and less hassle.

Just remember:

6) Shake Out Clothes Before Putting Them in the Dryer

Clumped-up clothes trap moisture, take longer to dry, and come out wrinkled. Taking a few seconds to shake out each item before tossing it in the dryer helps air circulate better. This simple action speeds up the drying time and makes folding easier. It also reduces wrinkles, which means less time ironing or steaming later. If you’re folding laundry on a tight schedule or prepping for the week, this step makes a noticeable difference.

The items you should be shaking include:

7) Clean the Lint Trap Before Every Dry Cycle

A woman in a white tank top and jeans places laundry into a front-loading washing machine in a laundromat.
A full lint trap restricts airflow and makes your dryer less effective. That means clothes take longer to dry, your utility bill goes up, and you risk damaging fabrics from prolonged heat exposure. Cleaning the lint trap takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in efficiency. It's also a key fire safety step that every laundry doer should follow. Whether you're doing loads at home or preparing for pickup, it’s a must.

How to quickly clear the lint trap:

8) Set a Timer to Stay on Track

It’s easy to forget you’re doing laundry until you hear the machine beep or until the clothes have been sitting too long. Setting a timer helps you stay on track and avoid letting wet clothes sit and smell or letting dry clothes wrinkle.

Timers also help you plan your day more efficiently, so you can return just in time to switch loads or fold while items are still warm. It’s one of the easiest habits to adopt that saves both time and stress.

Here are some tips you'll love:

9) Use a Wash & Fold or Pickup and Delivery Service

If laundry consistently eats up your time or energy, the fastest way to cut it in half or eliminate it entirely is to outsource it. Wash & fold services, especially those that offer laundry pickup & delivery, can completely remove laundry routine from your weekly to-do list. Professionals handle the sorting, washing, drying, and folding so you can focus on your life, not your laundry.

It’s ideal for busy professionals, parents, or anyone juggling work, events, or travel. And in cities like Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, or Washington, these services are widely available and reliable.

What to expect from a laundry pickup and delivery service:

Want to Cut Laundry Time in Half, or Even More?  Schedule Your Wash & Fold Pickup Today with Sterling Cleaners!

No time for laundry this week? You don’t need it. Whether you’re buried in meetings, managing a household, or simply tired of the never-ending wash–dry–fold cycle, Sterling Cleaners is here to take over your laundry routine for good. Our professional wash and fold laundry service in Washington, D.C., is designed for busy families, professionals, and business owners who want reliable, high-quality care without the hassle.

With nearly 90 years of trusted garment care, we bring unmatched reliability and attention to detail to every load. We follow CDC, OSHA, ALM, and DLI guidelines and use EPA-registered sanitizers to ensure your laundry is not only fresh but truly safe.

There are no hidden fees with any of our services, even if you opt for our dry cleaning, alterations, or leather cleaning.

Schedule your first FREE pickup today with Sterling Cleaners:

📞 Call us at 202-759-5460

📧 Email: info@sterlingcleaner.com

Most of us are guilty of keeping everything in one place just because it’s easier than dealing with the switch. But that habit leaves you frustrated every time you reach into your closet for a summer tee and pull out a heavy sweater, or when you dig past shorts and tank tops just to find a winter coat.

So if your closet looks cramped year round, chances are it’s not your current wardrobe that’s the problem; it’s those out-of-season garments crowding it. But with a few clever storage strategies, you can keep your seasonal items out of the way but easy to grab when the time comes. Here’s how to make that swap without the stress.

01 | Use Slim, Vertical Storage Options

One of the easiest ways to instantly create space is to think vertically. Instead of cramming items into already-packed drawers or hanging everything on bulky hangers, try space-saving tools that help you stack and hang up, not out.

Here’s what works well:

  1. Tiered hangers. Hang multiple skirts, pants, or shirts on one hanger to reduce rod space.
  2. Over-the-door organizers. Ideal for lightweight items like scarves, tank tops, or even sandals.
  3. Hanging shelf cubbies. Great for folded items like sweaters or out-of-season casual wear.

These vertical solutions let you keep things off the floor and out of the way, which is ideal in small spaces like apartments.

02 | Use Vacuum-sealed Bags (Wisely)

Vacuum-sealed bags are airtight storage bags that use suction to remove excess air, compressing clothing and bulky items to save space and protect them from dust, moisture, and pests. They are one of the most effective tools to reduce bulk, especially when it comes to heavy, padded items. But while they’re great for saving space, they aren’t ideal for everything.

Use them for:

  1. Puffy jackets
  2. Bulky sweaters
  3. Extra bed linens or comforters

Avoid them for:

  1. Natural fibers like linen, suede, and wool
  2. Structured clothing like blazers or tailored pieces
  3. Anything you’ve recently dry cleaned (compression can ruin the pressing)

The key is to use vacuum bags sparingly and only for items that won’t lose their shape when compressed. Thick items like puffer jackets, down comforters, and casual knitwear are ideal candidates, while structured pieces or natural fibers like wool and linen can become permanently creased or damaged.

03 | Store Bulky Items Under the Bed

That space under your bed? It’s a storage goldmine if you use it right. Flat storage bins or zippered fabric containers are ideal for items you don’t need to access for several months. For extra protection, choose containers with a tight seal to keep out dust, moisture, and pests, especially if you store items like wool sweaters or dry cleaned seasonal jackets.

Best items to store under the bed:

  1. Thick sweaters and cardigans
  2. Off-season jeans or pants
  3. Folded jackets or casual coats

To keep things fresh, toss in a few cedar blocks or lavender sachets, and always store items after they’ve been laundered or dry cleaned. 

04 | Store Only Clean Clothing

Person holding a stack of knit sweaters on wooden hangers, with several empty hangers, in a bright room with minimal decor.

This one’s non-negotiable: Never store clothing that hasn’t been cleaned. Even if it looks clean, sweat, oils, or perfumes left behind can attract moths, set stains permanently, or cause unpleasant odors over time.

Do these before storage:

  1. Launder or dry clean all items.
  2. Check for repairs: Replace missing buttons, fix zippers, and mend seams.
  3. Fold or hang only after everything is dry and fresh.

05 | Don’t Forget Accessories

Out-of-season accessories take up space, and they deserve just as much care as your clothing. If carelessly tossed into drawers or bins, accessories can become tangled, warped, or discolored.

How to store them correctly:

  1. Shoes. Clean thoroughly and stuff with paper to maintain shape. Store in clear bins or breathable fabric shoe bags.
  2. Bags and purses. Empty and wipe down before storing. Use fabric inserts or soft stuffing to prevent collapse.
  3. Belts, hats, and scarves. Hang on multi-tier hooks or roll neatly into drawer organizers.

These methods work well in urban apartments or homes without a dedicated accessories closet. In these compact living spaces, smart accessory storage not only saves space but also keeps items like belts, bags, and shoes organized and easy to grab.

06 | Take Advantage of Local Storage Services

If space is especially tight or you just don’t want to deal with storing expensive or delicate garments, consider off-site seasonal storage. Many professional dry cleaning services offer storage options for garments that have been professionally cleaned.

What these services offer:

  1. Climate-controlled environments to prevent mold, mildew, and pests.
  2. Seasonal rotation services clean and store your winter wardrobe now and return it fresh in the fall.
  3. Care for specialty pieces like blazers, suits, leather, suede, and even wedding dresses.

07 | Keep a Quick Access “Transition Bin”

We all know spring isn’t always spring, and fall doesn’t always feel like fall. That’s why having a “transition bin” is one of the smartest ways for unpredictable climates. A transition bin is a small, easily accessible storage container that holds a few versatile, in-between-season pieces like a light jacket, sweater, or scarf, so you're always prepared for unexpected weather shifts.

Here’s how to use it:

  1. Designate a small, easily accessible bin or basket for seasonal overlap pieces.
  2. Include one sweater, one light jacket, a long-sleeve shirt, and a pair of transitional shoes.
  3. Store this bin in an entryway closet, under your bed, or on a high closet shelf you can easily reach.

Freshen Up Your Clothes Before You Pack Them. Bring Your Clothes to Sterling Cleaners for Professional Cleaning!

Before you box up those winter sweaters or vacuum-seal your summer linens, give every piece a fresh start at Sterling Cleaners because stains and lingering odors only get harder to remove after months in storage. Our premium Wash and Fold Laundry Service deep cleans fabrics, neutralizes hidden grime, and returns everything neatly folded.

We’ve been the cleaning partner of choice for high-profile clients like the Citi Open, the Reagan Federal Building (TCMA), the Japanese Embassy, Catholic University, the Mayflower Hotel, Ringling Brothers Circus, Disney on Ice, and numerous federal agencies. That same quality and reliability are ready for your wardrobe, too.

Make space in your closet the smart way! Schedule a pickup with Sterling Cleaners today and let our team handle your laundry routine. When next season rolls around, your clothes will be ready to wear - no ironing, rewashing, or other unpleasant surprises.

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