11 Old-Fashioned Laundry Tips That Experts Still Swear By

Try a Martha-Approved Whitening Solution

While modern bleaches and enzyme cleaners have their place in our laundry routines, our founder knows that old-fashioned staples are just as useful in keeping whites sparkling. Martha's Homekeeping Handbook recommends adding ½ cup of Borax and two tablespoons of washing soda or a generous splash of white vinegar to your white loads to keep them nice and bright.

Let the Sun Remove Organic Stains

Stephanie Phillips, owner of Phillips Commercial and Residential Cleaning Services, uses the sun to help remove stubborn organic stains. For sweat, blood, or baby-related stains, simply wet the garment, treat the stain with a little bit of white vinegar or lemon juice, then set it outside in direct sunlight.

“A friend turned me onto this stain-fighting technique years ago, and I have never turned back. It’s especially effective on white clothing or sheets because you can use a bit of hydrogen peroxide [as well] to help remove those organic stains,” says Phillips.

Consider Old-Fashioned Laundry Bar Soap

Remember that bar of Fels-Naptha soap your grandmother kept in her laundry room? Granny was onto something. “I love the modern stain removers we have available to us these days, but I reach for a good old bar of Fels-Naptha more than anything else. I once rescued a pile of baseball pants my client had earmarked for the trash and got them bright white with Fels-Naptha,” says Phillips.

Simply dampen the stain, dampen the bar, and rub it directly onto the spot. Launder as usual and watch stains disappear.

Use Martha’s Cornstarch Trick for Oil Stains

Oil stains can be tough to tackle, Martha previously shared this powerful stain removal method alongside expert Jonathan Scheer of J. Scheer & Co. Simply sprinkle cornstarch on the oily stain, allow it to sit for several minutes, then brush it off with a clean, soft brush. If the stain persists, flip the item over and treat the back of the stain with a mild detergent. Rinse, blot, and launder in cold water.

Don't Discount Dryer Balls

Professional Molly Maid cleaner Destiny Burns suggests using dryer balls to reduce static, soften clothes, and even shorten drying time by keeping clothes from nestling together.  No dryer balls? No problem! Just do what our moms used to do: Throw a couple of clean, unused tennis balls in the dryer to help eliminate bunching that leads to wrinkles.

You can also make your own DIY dryer balls here.

Line Dry for Ultra-Fresh Laundry

Molly Maid’s Melissa Anderson suggests line drying to prevent clothes from shrinking in the heat of the dryer. Line drying is also great for sunning stains, airing out mild odors, and saving energy. A tip for keeping colors from becoming sun-bleached? Hang them on the line inside out.

Sort Clothing into Whites, Lights, Brights, and Darks

Modern fabrics are more color-safe than those of yore, and many people may now skip this step, but Gina McRae of Molly Maids still separates loads of clothing by color—just like she was taught—to ensure no accidental color bleeds. McRae also recommends sorting by soil level, separating things like sports gear and workout clothes from other items.

DIY Some Homemade Starch Spray

Stephanie Phillips shares her mom’s recipe for homemade starch, perfect for giving dress shirts a crisp and polished look. "I use ¼ cup of cornstarch and ½ cup of cold water to make a slurry. Then I boil about a half-gallon of water and mix the starch mixture in," says Phillips.

"After letting it cool, I transfer it to a spray bottle. I mist while I iron, and my clients sport the sharpest dress shirts in town," she shares. 

Fold T-Shirts Like a Soldier

Phillips suggests learning how to roll or fold t-shirts like a military member. “Over time, different branches have employed different methods," she shares. "My favorite is the Ranger Roll technique, but all of them have the same result: A tiny, tidy bundle that fits into a drawer so neatly that you can fit twice as many shirts into the dresser.”

Use Martha's Method for Folding Fitted Sheets

On an episode of The decorvow Show, Martha demonstrated how to expertly tuck the corners together to create a straight edge that can be easily folded flat. You can watch the video here.

Store Sheet Sets in Pillowcases

After using Martha’s suggested method to fold your fitted sheets, fold the matching linens, leaving one pillowcase available. Carefully slide the sheet set inside the matching pillowcase to ensure that you can easily find the entire set when you need it.