How to Freshen Clothes Without Doing Full Loads of Laundry
Those mountains of dirty laundry in the corner of your room—you know the ones—have started spreading to the other corner. Maybe they’ve even taken over your bed, and now you’re sleeping on top of them. Ugh. Where do you even begin?
When you’re facing a Level 5 Laundry Situation (!), it’s all about focusing on the essentials. Start by gathering the clothes you’ll need for the next few days—don’t forget socks and underwear! From there, you can use simple strategies to freshen up those items while slowly chipping away at the bigger laundry pile.
Yes, cleaning your clothes without doing full loads of laundry might be against what our parents taught us, but as always, we’re meeting ourselves where we are! Plus, it can be a low-bandwidth baby step toward eventually tossing a load into the washer. Here’s how to get started:
6 Quick and Easy Ways to Freshen Clothes
- Spot Clean
- Grab a little dish soap and water, dab it onto a clean cloth or paper towel, and rub out any stains. It’s not perfect, but it can make your clothes look much more presentable in a pinch.
- Fabric Freshener Spray
- Use a store-bought spray or make your own with water, a bit of rubbing alcohol, and a few drops of essential oils. Spritz lightly over clothes to banish odors and smooth out light wrinkles.
- Steam While You Shower
- Hang your clothes in the bathroom while you shower. The steam will work to release wrinkles and odors, making your clothes look and smell fresher with zero extra effort.
- Baking Soda Odor Buster
- Sprinkle a little baking soda over your clothes and let it sit for 10–15 minutes before brushing it off. It’s a great way to neutralize smells without water or detergent.
- Hand-Wash the Essentials
- For items that get soiled quickly—like undergarments and socks—try hand-washing them in the sink with a little detergent. Then either toss them in the dryer for a quick finish or hang them to air-dry. It’s a small effort that can make a big difference when you’re low on clean essentials.
- Tumble in the Dryer
- Toss your essentials into the dryer with a dryer sheet and run it on low for 10–15 minutes. This trick refreshes clothes, reduces wrinkles, and gives them a quick scent boost.
