10 Laundry Hacks That Make Putting Clothes Away So Much Easier

I used to be great at doing laundry, but putting it away? That was my personal Everest. For years, I had a very “creative” system: I’d do a load, let it sit clean in the basket, and only put away what was left when I needed the basket for the next weekend of laundry. It worked...kind of. But at the start of 2020, I decided I was done with the cluttered chaos and ready to shift the habit.

The ironic part? I made that decision right before I met Kevin in March of 2020, so I went from doing one person’s laundry to double the laundry overnight. Great timing for a laundry resolution.

Since then, I’ve developed a handful of simple shifts that have made putting the clothes away (almost) painless. These laundry hacks truly work and are the same ones I share with my home organization clients. They’ve helped me (and others) go from chronic basket-dweller to someone who usually gets it all folded the same day.

My best laundry hacks:

1. Use a Smaller Dirty Laundry Basket

Oversized baskets can be sneaky. They make it easy to delay laundry day because it never looks full. Kevin and I share a single standard-size basket. When it fills up, it’s time to do laundry. Simple visual cue = no excuses.

2. Own Less Underwear

If getting started is your roadblock, consider owning less. With fewer pairs of underwear or socks, you’ll naturally need to wash

3. Do Smaller Loads

Laundry is easier to manage in small doses. Instead of tackling a mountain, I now do smaller, more frequent loads that feel doable. It takes less time to fold, and I’m more likely to get it done.

4. Wash and Fold Laundry by Bedroom

While it’s just Kevin and me in our small apartment, I always recommend this tip to clients with children or larger households: do laundry based on who shares a bedroom. Whether it’s a couple or siblings, keeping loads room-specific makes the process so much easier. The load goes straight into that room, gets folded right there, and everything gets put away in one smooth go—no more hauling piles all around the house.

5. Turn Clothes Right-Side-Out Before Washing

This one’s tiny but mighty. As I toss things into the washer, I make sure everything is already facing the right way. That way, when it’s time to fold, I’m not wasting energy

6. Throw Clean Laundry on the Bed (Not in a Basket)

When the clean laundry stays in the basket, it’s easy to ignore. But if I dump it on the bed, I have to deal with it before I can sleep. If I had children, I'd even do this in their room to encourage follow-through. It creates a little visual pressure that works in my favor.

7. Start with the Bulky Items First

When folding, I always reach for the bulky things first, towels, sweatshirts, or sweatpants. It makes the pile shrink faster, which feels motivating and gives me momentum. Plus, folding those big items is quick and satisfying.

8. Sort by Category When Folding

When the laundry comes out of the dryer, I lay it all out by type. T-shirts together, socks together, underwear in one pile. It helps me stay focused while folding and keeps the whole process quicker and smoother.

9. It Only Takes 10 Minutes (Most of the Time)

Here’s the truth I’ve discovered: folding and putting away one load of laundry, especially when I fold it in the room where it belongs, usually takes me no more than 7 to 10 minutes. That’s it. The trick is not letting it pile up. Because if you wait until you have five loads sitting in baskets, or you wash everything in one day, you’re looking at 45 to 60 minutes of work. Personally, I’d rather do something more often for less time than wait and face a mountain, and maybe you will too. It's a simple time exchange that can really shift your energy and rhythm.

10. Make a Commitment to Yourself (Even If It’s Imperfect)

In early 2020, I quietly made a decision: I was going to start putting the laundry away the same day it was washed. I didn’t tell anyone, and I wasn’t perfect at it, but that quiet internal commitment changed everything.Sometimes it’s not about being rigid or nailing it every time but about deciding that you’re someone who values a calm space, finished tasks, and daily flow. And when you hold that intention, you’re far more likely to follow through. Bit by bit, it becomes your new normal.

If laundry has felt like your personal clutter monster, I hope these hacks give you a little relief. They’ve made my life so much easier, and dare I say it, a little more satisfying. You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine, just tweak a few habits and see what helps.

If you’ve got a laundry trick that changed your life, I’d love to hear it. Leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram. I’m always down for a good laundry chat.

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