Hate laundry? These hacks can help!

Doing the laundry is a task that doesn't have to always be dreaded and time-consuming. There are many tips and tricks to this common household chore. Here are some useful quick and easy hacks to make your laundry process run smoothly!

Got grease stains? Just rub some chalk over the greasy area before putting the item in the wash, and it will get absorbed during the cycle.

If you've run out of dryer sheets or are in search of a more environmentally friendly option, try using a wadded ball of aluminum foil as a substitute. It's a very cost effective way to remove static and is reusable for up to 6 months.

For a faster drying time, consider purchasing wool drying balls to absorb excess liquid and remove static in your dryer cycle. A cheaper option is to toss a dry towel into a load of wet clothes for the first 15 minutes of the drying cycle. Your clothes will be dry in no time!

Get the yellow or gray armpit stains out of shirts by applying a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda to it, letting it sit for at least an hour, and then washing as you would normally.

Has your favorite jacket gone stiff? The vinegar from your pantry not only helps soften tough fabrics, it can also act as an antibacterial and get rid of unwanted odors. Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.

It's always frustrating when an article of clothing shrinks in the wash. Try soaking it in lukewarm water and ordinary hair conditioner, then stretch it back out to its original form.

Use baskets to pre-sort your laundry daily. A big pile of clothes that needs to be sorted can be overwhelming. When it's time to toss something in the dirty clothes, keep your darks and whites separate so that you are ready to go when it's time to wash.

Don't forget that a clean washer is key for clean clothes or bedding. All of the grime that you're rinsing off in the wash can remain in your machine. Run an empty load with baking soda and vinegar to refresh your washer.

For cleaner clothes and a washer that lasts longer, don't wash too many clothes at once. Never fill the washer tub more than three-quarters full.

Do you have a laundry hack that helps you?