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7 Laundry Day Upgrades You Need Right Now

You’ll want to give these game-changers a spin.

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Hearst-Owned

Lots of laundry products are touted as innovations, but not all of them actually help you clean clothes more effectively or efficiently, or help your appliances work better. “For a product to stand the test of time, it has to truly make laundry day go more smoothly,” says Carolyn Forte, GH’s Director of the Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Lab — “either by simplifying the process or by turning out cleaner, fresher-smelling clothes.”

To help you pinpoint the products that deserve a spot in your laundry routine, we’ve rounded up seven standouts. Here’s why you’ll want to give each one a whirl.

1

Tide PODS Laundry Detergent Soap Pods, Spring Meadow Scent

PODS Laundry Detergent Soap Pods, Spring Meadow Scent

These fragrant (refreshingly so) three-in-one pods feature concentrated detergents, stain removers and color protectors for a powerful and efficient clean. They work in all machine types and are designed to dissolve even in cold water, saving you money on your energy bill. Plus, since they’re pre-measured, you’ll never overdo the detergent as you might with bottled or powdered formulas. (Safety note: As with all laundry pods, be sure to store them out of reach of kids and pets.)

Another reason to add it to your Amazon cart right now? Currently, you’ll receive a $20 Amazon credit when you spend $80 or more on select products from P&G, including this detergent. Complete the transaction with other everyday essentials from brands like Bounty, Tide, Pampers and Cascade. Visit the storefront to browse participating products and learn more about this limited-time offer (hurry — it ends February 3).

2

Hurricane Lint Lizard Vacuum Hose Attachment

Lint Lizard Vacuum Hose Attachment

It’s a pain to clean your lint screen every time you run the dryer, but if you don’t, lint and other debris can find their way up into the machine’s duct — and if enough of it collects, it can impede airflow and increase the risk of a dryer fire. (Nearly 3,000 such blazes happen each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.) The Lint Lizard does the dirty work for you: All you have to do is attach the plastic contraption to the end of your vacuum and insert it into the dryer through the lint screen compartment, and it will suck the lint right up.

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3

Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

Washing Machine Cleaner

These powerful tablets zap the residue and grime, and potentially mold (ick), that builds up inside your machine with regular washing, helping your washer last longer and your clothes smell fresher. Pop one into the drum and run the “clean washer” cycle or a normal cycle with hot water, and — voilà — the gunk is gone.

Sold as a set of two, this simple hanger-like contraption is the answer to your disappearing sock issues. It comes with spring-loaded buckles to hold up to nine pairs in place while they’re being washed — just toss the whole thing in with the rest of your load.

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5

Kikkerland Hedgehog Dryer Buddies

Hedgehog Dryer Buddies

Dryer balls speed up drying times by allowing hot air to circulate more freely; they’re also reusable, making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets. And, of course, this set’s adorable hedgehog design is a big bonus.

6

Levoshua Front Load Washer Door Prop

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Front Load Washer Door Prop

Front-loaders typically get top marks in performance and efficiency, but they also tend to trap moisture in the drum and rubber gasket surrounding the door, leading to stinky mold build-up. This $10 contraption eliminates the issue by leaving your washer door slightly ajar (not open and in the way) between loads, letting the inside of the machine air out.

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7

Honey-Can-Do 5-Line Extendable Clothesline

5-Line Extendable Clothesline

With a combined 68 linear feet of drying space across its five pullout nylon lines, this extendable clothesline enables you to line-dry your delicates or other laundry even when you don’t have loads of room. (In order words, it cuts down on energy usage and saves you money.)

Headshot of Dan DiClerico
Dan DiClerico
Home Improvement & Outdoor Director

Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.


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