Household chores are repetitive, period. And with a busy workday or errands to run, one or two of these chores, like laundry, might get ignored. There is no substitute for the sorting, presoak, washing, and drying tasks that must be done in that order. However, you can figure out neat ways to reduce the time and effort that goes into the laundry. Here are some simple ways you can make the task less stressful.

Use a powerful odor eliminator
When dirty laundry sits in the hamper for too long, the fabric collects bad odor, grime, and dust, making it a breeding ground for bacteria. The odor can be off-putting and unpleasant when picking up the laundry for a wash. Here is a simple solution; add a laundry odor eliminator into the presoak liquid before washing. You can choose from various liquid formulas, sprays, and pods available in different scents and concentrations. Top picks include OxiClean Odor Blasters, Arm & Hammer Clean Scentsations, Tide Odor Rescue, and Active Wear Laundry, among the top laundry odor eliminator to use daily.

Laundry bleach tablets help remove bad odor during the presoak stage. The bleach concentration helps neutralize bacteria and eliminates the odor. The formula also acts as an active stain remover when dissolved, making it suitable for heavily soiled and dirty clothes that require multiple washing cycles.

Delegate the workload
Laundry doesn’t have to be done solely by one person alone. A smart way to make this chore less hassle is to delegate tasks equally to members. One member can collect all the laundry and start sorting while the other person can go ahead with the presoak. Sorting takes time, and it’s important not to mix clothes, so ensure you hand over that task to someone responsible, or you’ll be forced to throw out your whites because someone forgot to separate a pink scarf from the mix.

Organize the laundry room
Having everything you need within arm’s reach can certainly lighten the workload. Keep the laundry hampers near the entrance, so everyone has quick and easy access. Clear off another area inside the laundry room for sorting. Have a cabinet or small storage rack built over the washer and dryer unit, so you don’t have to chase the pods, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and other essentials. Keeping things within reach saves time and effort. Also, organizing the laundry room will smoothen the operation.

Find ways to stay distracted
Let’s face it, washing, drying, and folding sheets or clothes is tiresome and lengthy. So why not listen to your favorite playlist or watch a favorite episode while doing laundry? The distraction helps, and you won’t even realize when the laundry gets folded, sorted, and neatly organized. Even a few loads of laundry take time to soak, wash, and dry. So, plan your day accordingly and keep some entertainment options ready. You can even use the time between tasks to make calls and catch up with friends and family.

Spread out the loads
It may sound counterproductive when you are trying to make the chore less monotonous. However, spreading out your loads makes it easier to manage smaller washer and dryer cycles. It’s easier to get a few smaller loads done back to back rather than dealing with a mountain of clothes. Also, overloading the drum means some garments might not be washed thoroughly or have detergent stains. You’ll eventually have to rewash them, so it is best to separate the loads to avoid these extra tasks.

Ironing within the dryer cycle
When you don’t have time to iron, here’s a neat little trick you can try to save time and get wrinkle-free clothes. Immediately after the wash cycle, shift the dresses that need ironing into the dryer and toss some ice cubes. The dryer cycle is designed to inject hot air while the drum spins. This heat causes the ice cubes to melt and create steam. The steam prevents the tumbling clothes from creasing and wrinkling up. Remember, this trick works well for a few clothes only when you put the dryer on a high-heat cycle.

These simple laundry washing and drying hacks will save you time and effort. But it also helps if you can establish a routine and get laundry done as and when dirty clothes pile up in the hamper. You don’t have to wait necessarily for the basket to fill before picking up the chore. Remember, the number of loads will increase depending on the number of people in the house. So plan and be prepared.