These bestselling Amazon products make laundry less of a hassle
Our list includes stain removers, accessories, and, of course, detergents.
$15.94
$17.99
To compile this list, I first focused on items with high ratings. In addition to ratings, I relied on expert guidance to determine the types of items that are most helpful when doing laundry. Here is what they told me to keep in mind:
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The number one bestselling laundry pods on Amazon, this option combines concentrated detergent, a stain remover and color protector in one small packet. These pods leave clothes with a floral scent, according to the brand. To use, place one or two pods in the basin of your washing machine before adding clothes. Then, just run the machine as you normally would.
This liquid detergent from Gain contains enzymes, which Rapinchuk notes help wash away dirt and odors. The cap on the bottle doubles as a measuring cup, with markers telling you where to pour for a small, medium or large load.
This option is free of artificial fragrance, which Rapinchuk says she prefers for those with sensitive skin. The powder is made from earth-derived ingredients and one bag lasts for up to 120 loads of laundry, according to the brand.
Prefer a plant-based detergent? These pods check that box, while also removing odors and stains, according to the brand. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin says she’s used them for years and likes that they dissolve fully, something that can be an issue with other natural detergents. They come in composable packaging and you can get the unscented pods in packs of 64, 128 or 192.
The goal of Truly Free’s detergent is to help you cut down on waste. You buy a 50-ounce bottle of detergent and then can order refill pouches instead of brand-new containers. You get up to 50 loads of laundry out of one jug and the scent is a nice mix of citrus and anise.
Laundry detergent will help remove normal dirt and grime, but if you’ve spilled something like coffee or ink and are dealing with a stain, you’ll want to use a stain remover.
This spray stain remover, which incorporates citric acid and glycerin to lift stains, is non-toxic, making it a great option for kids’ clothing, according to the brand. To use it, spray it on the stain, blot it with a rag or towel and then wash it away (either by hand or in the washing machine).
Oxiclean is made up of something called oxygen bleach, a stain-remover that Richardson says he prefers over chlorine bleach. Oxygen bleach removes dirt and stains without bleaching the color out of items. To use this product, soak your stained items in a mixture of one scoop per gallon of water for up to six hours before putting them in the washing machine.
These Tide to Go stain-removing pens are intended to be used on the go and fit nicely in a bag or even your pocket. You can use this on coffee, stains, wine spills and more, according to Tide. To use this item, blot away any excess liquid from the stain, then dab the pen onto the stain to saturate it with the cleanser. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping away the stain remover.
Meet my go-to stain remover! I like this set because it comes with a larger spray bottle that I keep in my laundry room and a smaller bottle that is great for a purse, backpack or diaper bag. I’ve used it to get red wine out of a white shirt and dog messes out of carpet. The formula is free from toxins, so it removes stains without damaging fabrics, according to the brand. To use, you simply saturate the stain, blot it and wipe it away.
NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio says she’s used this stain remover to tackle tomato sauce, coffee and ink stains. It’s intended to be used before doing laundry. Saturate your stain with this spray and let it sit for five minutes before throwing it in the washing machine, according to the brand. Dealing with a tough stain? You can leave the solution on the stain for up to a full week before washing. This pack comes with three bottles of the stain remover, making it a good buy for a family.
In addition to detergent and stain removers, experts agree that there are a few tools that can make the process of doing your laundry go more smoothly.
These wool balls, which are the top-selling dryer balls on Amazon, are meant to replace dryer sheets to leave clothes softer and reduce static cling. Rapinchuk also likes dryer balls because they’re more eco-friendly than dryer sheets, which you throw out after a single use. You just toss these balls into the dryer with your wet clothes and they go to work. They can also speed up drying times because they lift and separate your items as they bounce around, allowing the hot air to better circulate, according to Handy. You can purchase these wool dryer balls in a set of four, six or 12. There’s no rule on how many to use at once, but the general guideline is that the bigger the load of laundry, the more you should toss in the dryer and each ball is good for over 1,000 uses, according to the brand.
“I consider mesh laundry bags an essential for washing hosiery, sweaters, and anything delicate like lingerie or accessories,” says Richardson, who notes that enclosing these items in a laundry bag helps protect them from getting snagged on other items. This set comes with three zippered mesh bags that are 12-inches by 16-inches each in dimension. This means the bags can fit items like bras, a sweater and even sneakers, according to the brand.
When washing your clothes, you should always follow the care instructions on the tags. Some items may require air drying. In cases like this, a drying rack can help. They unfold and allow you to hang your clothes on them so that air can circulate around the items to fully dry them. This top-selling laundry rack can support up to 32 pounds of clothing and has eleven bars for you to drape items over.
Throw one of these sheets in your dryer with wet clothes and it can help reduce static cling, loosen wrinkles and collect pet hair that may be clinging to your clothes. The sheets are unscented and are twice the size of normal dryer sheets, according to the brand.The box comes with 130 sheets.
Make folding laundry a bit easier with this device. Unfold the board and lay it flat. Then, place your shirt on top of it and fold the individual panels of the board in to neatly fold your shirt. When not in use, the board can be easily stored in a drawer or on a shelf.
If you have a front-loading washer, it can be tough to keep the door open in between washes. But it’s actually important to do so because it helps the inside dry out and prevents mold from growing. This plastic device suctions to the front of your machine and keeps the door slightly ajar so that everything can dry out between washes.
It may sound funny that you have to clean your washing machine since cleaning is what it does, but you do. These tablets are intended to be put in your washer before running an empty load. The cleanser mixes with the water to get rid of residue and grime and remove odors. The box comes with enough tablets for a year’s worth of machine maintenance.
While laundry may never top your list of fun things to do, it doesn’t have to be completely painful. To make it go more smoothly, experts suggest the following tips:
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am a weekend editor at NBC Select who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, I interviewed two experts to gather their guidance on what to look for when shopping for laundry items.
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