The Mumsnet Laundry Rules - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

Fairy Non Bio is sponsoring the Mumsnet Talk app, so we’d like you to talk about your top laundry tips for families.

Do you have tips for removing the plethora of stains your DC somehow produce? Maybe you’re skilled in mixing wash loads with zero colour transfer? Or perhaps you’ve got a cast-iron system for laundry that keeps the job from overwhelming you (and your machine).

Whatever they are, share your laundry tips for families below. Everyone who posts on the thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

If you're an avid Mumsnet talk boards user, you should download the app for yourself. It's free, and allows you to be part of the conversation wherever you are!

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Check pockets for tissues, money, small toys.

Wash colours, whites, bedding and delicates separately,

Buy a washing machine with a hand wash cycle.

Tumble dry towels so they don't feel like cardboard off the line.

Don't tumble dry woollens (although they make lovely dolls clothes if you do!)

Leave the mashing machine door and draw open afterwards to stop it getting all smelly.

As others have no doubt already mentioned:-
Separate washes for whites and colours.
Have as big a washing machine as you can so you can get loads in and do fewer washes.
Don't let the laundry basket fill to overflowing so you'll be the master of it, rather than the other way round.
Hang out on the line whenever possible.
Have 2 lines if enough room - this has been a godsend for me.

Never had a tumble dryer and have somehow managed!

Everything in together, I make sure to put it on early as we have economy 7

Only thing that get baby poo out = fairy washing up liquid! No other brand works and I've even tried the apple scented fairy which doesn't do the job either. Just the original.

never believe anyone when they say they have emptied their own pockets - I regularly was tissues, blue tac, playdough, stones and cat biscuits

Only thing that get baby poo out = fairy washing up liquid! No other brand works and I've even tried the apple scented fairy which doesn't do the job either. Just the original

I find Fairy Original to be a bit of a WonderProduct , Karen

Keep an eye on the weather forecast its so much nicer and better if you can time your washes to dry out on the line

For troublesome grease marks on clothes, I soak them in a sink filled with lukewarm water and soda crystals. Then wash as normal. Works every time.

Baby clothes all go in together with a Tesco colour catcher - not had a problem yet despite having brand new bright colours in with white baby grows.

Oh and always check the washing machine for cats before putting washing in.

Colour catchers can be torn in two and still do a great job

Always use a squirt of Fairy Washing Up Liquid on grease splodges and it works every time.

Never allow your clothes to complete a spin cycle - if you hang them up before they're too crumpled, you don't need to iron them! Things like towels can be put back in for an additional spin.

I use damp baking soda on stubborn stain or solution of water and baking soda to remove sweat from underarms on shirts. Sorting my laundry - whites and dark colours - is must to do before washing.

We've got to the point where we add stain removing powder to every wash, and include a colour catching sheet in every wash. It saves having to make the decision, and not having to worry about colour running from a dodgy red sock!

Best advice for stains is to rub with a pre-treatment stick, like Vanish, then wash. Hang in bright sunlight to bleach out stains on light-coloured fabrics.

I wash twice a week, then get everything dried and put away - I can't bear a perpetual flow of wet washing.

Time is of the essence for me - I do a quick 20 min half load and then a fast spin, hang it out and then do another wash if needed. I can get the whole family wash done in 1 hour by doing it this way!

My nan always said to lie stained items outside in heavy rain, the pounding of the rain worked the stains out.

With 5 kids socks get eaten by the washing machine apparently so I now put each child's socks in the machine in seperate laundry bags so I don't have to spend ages matching upsock sizes and patterns I also wash whites on the highest temp with whitener & stain remover every time, even if not stained so they stay white

Bedding and towels at 60
Whites at 60 or 40 depending
Darks at 40
Hand wash and woollens on the 30 woollens cycle
White towels at 90 every now and again to keep machine fresh.

I use a soap based powder for environmental reasons and because I don't like the synthetic smell of detergents. Really notice it when we get hand me down clothes! Woolies use a liquid soap based cleanser.

Line dry, often darked on or radiator/maidens inside.

get an extra large washing machine with dryer and with a drum cleaning mode... and lovely partner who loves doing the washing!

Wow, I have a list as long as your arm!
Separate by colours (roughly) and definitely wash whites together.
ALWAYS check pockets - have pulled out too many sweet wrappers and headphones to not risk it!
Treat any nasty stains before washing - I hate washing things twice!
My other half suffers from eczema and psoriasis so we have to use something gentle like Fairy non bio.
Do a wash before heading out for the day and put it on the line to dry. Come home to nice dry laundry!
DON'T use a big bulky laundry basket - they take up so much storage room! I use an IKEA big blue bag as they fold upto nothing when empty and can be stored in a drawer or cupboard easily.

I have to laundry baskets - one for whites and one for colours. It saves having to hurriedly separate the clothes before putting on a wash.

Turn jeans and printed T-shirts inside out.
Wash bed sheets and towels at 60.
Hang clothes out to dry as soon as the wash is finished to avoid ironing.
Separate whites.
Use a hand wash setting (if you have one) to wash lingerie.