Vaporising smells with vodka, and 7 other TikTok laundry hacks.

We need to talk about LaundryTok. 

Stay with me. 

LaundryTok, aka laundry content on TikTok, is a delightfully earnest subsection of the world's biggest social media platform, purely dedicated to all things clothes and cleaning. 

And it’s my new favourite thing.

Far from being a chore, LaundryTok videos are the perfect antidote to a long, hard day. And no one tries to make you “Get Ready With Me” or learn dances. I promise. 

Not only do you get to perve on someone’s private space (laundries are the new bathrooms, you heard it here first) but the TikTokers know their stuff. I’ve learnt so many tricks that are making my life easier.

Here’s a roundup of my eight favourite laundry hacks, freshly sourced from TikTok to save you time and money.

1. Sheet stripping

If your supposedly clean sheets still look dull and dingy, this deep cleansing method will make them look and feel brand new. Some TikTokers claim the process is purging built up body oils and they proudly show off the disgusting “bath water soup” created along the way. 

Here's how to do it:

1. Fill your bathtub with hot water.

2. Add one cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar to the water.

3. Submerge your sheets in the mixture and let them soak for a few hours (or overnight for optimal results).

4. Drain out the grimy bath water soup.

5. Give your sheets a good rinse, and pop them in the washing machine for your usual routine.

Check out this TikTok video to witness the full transformation: 

@davialaverne #neurodivergent #cleantok #cleaning #cleaningtiktok #satisfying #satisfyingvideo #bed #sheets #stripping #linens #springcleaning #springforward #sheetstripping ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

2. Smart dosing

According to TikTok you’re probably using too much laundry detergent. And you’re not just wasting money, too much detergent will actually damage your clothes and washing machine. 

Yikes. 

If you have several hours and an excellent math brain, there are all kinds of complex formulas for how much washing powder to use depending on what you’re washing, the fabric and the weight of clothes, but you can hack the entire process with the Haier Top Load Washing Machine. 

This intelligent washing machine automatically dispenses the optimal amount of detergent based on your laundry load, size and wash cycle, so you only use what you need. It's simply genius. Your clothes will come out smelling fresh and you'll reduce the amount of detergent you have to buy throughout the year – it's a win-win.

Image: Supplied. 

In fact, the whole machine is designed to make laundry easier, from the toughened glass lid that lets you keep an eye on your wash to the super intuitive touch controls for those days when you’re just functioning on autopilot. 

Plus, it comes with a sci-fi level UV protect feature which uses UV light to help get rid of bacteria during the wash cycle. This feature is great because it allows you to save money by skipping the hot water cycle needed to eliminate bacteria. Not only does it protect your clothes with its gentle wash action, but it also effectively destroys any bacteria in each cycle. Could it get any better?

@cnnunderscored How much detergent do you use? Follow for more #cleaningtips #laundrytips #laundry #cleantok #laundrydetergent #laundryhacks ♬ originalljud - .

3. The pillowcase hack

Want that new shoe look, without the new shoe price tag? Turns out there’s an easy way to wash your shoes without ruining them or your washing machine. Just use a pillowcase. 

@tea.pink3 How I wash my 👟sneakers ☺️ #tutorial #viral #howto #snikers #fyp ♬ Believer [NSG Remix] - Romy Wave

Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove any big clumps of dirt from your trainers. 

2. Place one shoe in a pillowcase, ensuring the laces are tucked inside. 

3. Repeat with the other shoe and zip up the pillowcase or secure it with a hair tie. 

4. Add mild detergent and set to a gentle, cold cycle.

5. After the cycle, air dry the shoes – avoid the dryer.

4. The towel trick

Your mum will be furious that TikTokers are claiming they discovered this, but they’ve definitely introduced it to a whole new generation. This one is so simple that it doesn’t need steps, just toss a clean, dry towel into the dryer with your wet clothes to dry everything faster.

@reetregina Has anyone else tried this? #laundry #fyp #lifehack #momhack #foryoupage #laundrytok #laundryhack #foryou #lifehacks ♬ Boy's a Liar Pt. 2 - PinkPantheress & Ice Spice

5. Vaporising smells with vodka

Another old one that TikTok is bringing back from the vault: vodka is a natural deodoriser. Keep a spray bottle full of cheap vodka on hand and use it to freshen up your clothes for a re-wear before washing. This is a great hack for travel. 

@annathingbutanimals My literal #1 travel hack in the world or just in general. How to make your clothes stop smelling and when you cant find laundry abroad #travelhacks #traveltips #laundry #laundryhack ♬ original sound - Anna - Vegan Group Travel

6. Dryer sheet dusting

Stop throwing out your dryer sheets. Yes, they are known for keeping our laundry soft and static-free, but did you know USED sheets can also work as handy dusting cloths? 

Here's how you can repurpose them before you throw them out:

1. Take a used dryer sheet (yes, even the ones that have been through the tumble dryer).

2. Use it as a dusting cloth to wipe down surfaces.

3. That’s it. You’re done. The anti-static properties of the sheet will attract and capture dust, leaving your home sparkly clean.

@randomvenesa I saved my used dryer sheets to clean up smudges and dust my furniture. Im still discovering what else it can clean. #cleantok #cleaninghacks #hacks #hack #wipeitdown #dustmagnet #randomvenesa #cleaningtiktok #cleaningtips #clean #momsoftiktok ♬ #WIPEITDOWN (TikTok Classics Version) - BMW Kenny & Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg

7. Hairspray stain remover 

Hairspray is not only for keeping your hair in place but also for removing stains. Here's how you can use it to tackle stubborn marks:

1. Spray a small amount of aerosol hairspray directly onto the stain.

2. Let it sit for a few minutes.

3. Dab the stain gently with a clean cloth.

4. Wash your item separately on normal settings. 

@haveclotheswilltravel How to get rid of an ink stain with hairspray. 😁 #cleaninghack #inkstain #inkstainremover #inkstainhack #clothinghack #removinganinkstain ♬ Beat Automotivo Tan Tan Tan Viral - WZ Beat

8. Tennis ball hack

Waiting for towels to dry can feel like an eternity, but TikTokers have a solution that will speed up the process. Simply throw a tennis ball in the dryer with your towels. As the tennis ball bounces around, it fluffs up the towels, reducing drying time and cutting down on energy bills. 

@lizamaya_style Fluffy towels 101 #cleanwithme #homehacks #laundrytok #cleaningszn #cleanhome #tipsandtricks #cleaninghacks #towels #laundrytok ♬ CUFF IT - Beyoncé

Do you have an amazing laundry hack to share? Tell us in the comments below.

Designed with intelligent washing Haier Top Load Washing Machine makes doing laundry easy, save time and energy with Haier. 

Feature Image: Mamamia/TikTok/@howclotheswilltravel/@annathingbutanimals/@reetregina.