This 1 Laundry Trick Has Changed My Routine Completely—I Use It Every Day

As a cleaning and lifestyle writer in an effort to inspire admiration for the chore I least like—as witnessed by the mountain of laundry I am forever attempting to surmount—I recently read Patric Richardson’s book Laundry Love: Finding Joy In The Common Chore. The title caught my eye. I was curious how the words "laundry" and "love" could actually coexist in a book title.

Now, there are some chores I don’t mind doing too much. Mopping floors, scrubbing a tub, and decluttering are easy to complete and, dare I say, fulfilling when completed. But laundry, without a doubt, is my least favorite chore. For me, there are simply too many steps involved, and my process inevitably becomes bogged down somewhere between the hamper, washer, dryer, and back to the closet. Read: sometimes it breaks down before it even begins.

However, out of curiosity, I decided that if Richardson’s book could spur even just a few positive feelings for this chore, it was definitely worth a read. I enjoyed it from the outset. Entertaining and insightful, Richardson weaves the history of laundry processes with personal family anecdotes. Although I cannot say I now love this chore, I can say that I gleaned a simple tip from this book that has completely changed my process, and I certainly view the chore of doing laundry with a little less dislike. In fact, one tip from his book that I implemented into my process has been invaluable. I now save time on this chore, clothing lasts longer, and the entire process feels more manageable.

The 1 Tip That Changed My Process

Richardson suggests washing laundry loads on the rapid or speed cycle. He explains that modern washing machines clean clothing and linens well enough on the shortest cycle. As a laundry expert, he offers reasons to use this cycle more than any other:

⏱️ It Saves Time

The waiting time is real when it comes to laundry. Most people move on to other chores or activities during a wash cycle. The only problem is that when a load is forgotten in the machine, it can mildew fast. So what should have taken a certain amount of time with one load of laundry has now taken twice or even days longer.

A rapid or speed cycle on a standard washing machine typically lasts anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes. At the same time, a regular cycle or even a deep clean can take 1 to 1.5 hours. It’s simple math. The speed cycle is faster, and that’s just one of the benefits.

👕 It Prolongs the Life of Your Clothing

Additionally, Richardson says that using the express washing machine cycle on your clothes can actually prolong their life. The constant friction of material rubbing against material wears clothing out faster. When there’s more time in a regular or deep-clean cycle, garment fibers break down quicker.

Whether in a washer or just being worn, eventually clothing and linens simply wear out. In order to keep new items looking their best, wash them less and even rewear garments if they’re not too dirty. Ideally, if the item spends less time in the washer, the fibers stay more intact, and even less pilling occurs.