Simple laundry hacks to save time and money

Don't let laundry weigh you down! Try one of these clever cheats to make things easier.

Clean your washing machine every couple of months. Use a shop-bought cleaner, or some people swear by simply adding a cup of mouthwash to an empty cycle to remove built up dirt that could be transferring to your clothes.

Use less detergent. Go by the advice in your machine's manual, rather than what it says on the detergent bottle: machines are a lot more efficient now and need less product to clean. Putting detergent (either liquid or powder) in the drawer of the machine is more effective at cleaning than a tablet placed in the drum, too.

Wash new denims on a cold wash before wearing. Throw in some white vinegar to set the colour.

Have three laundry containers so dirty clothes can be sorted into whites, lights and darks. The kids can easily get involved in this bit ... and then you won't have to spend time sorting laundry before a wash.

Sort clean bedding into sets so you always have the sheets, pillowcase and duvet cover together. Store inside the pillowcase, or in a laundry bag.

A dry towel in your tumble dryer will absorb moisture, and clothes will be drier at the end of the cycle.

A tennis ball wrapped in aluminium foil makes a great reusable dryer ball as it absorbs static and softens fabrics

Try baby powder or chalk applied to a grease stain as a pre-wash treatment

Having two laundry baskets to carry washing to and from the machine means you're never stuck with a full basket of clean clothes waiting to be put away, and an armful of dirty ones ready for the wash.

White vinegar is a cheap alternative to fabric softener, especially good for baby clothes if you don't want to add additional chemicals.

Put kids' socks into mesh bags so they stay in pairs. Or buy some sock clips and make the kids clip them together before they put in the laundry.

Zip up jeans and fasten bras to avoid damaging other items in the wash.