Laundry tips and tricks are all over the internet, promising to save you from the drudgery and mistakes that make laundry day a hassle.

And this includes TikTok, which, ever since it launched in 2016, has been producing content that is collectively the most ridiculously funny, the most interesting, and, quite frankly, the weirdest as well.

There appears to be nothing the social media video app won't cover, from celebrities teasing new music to inspirational body-positive accounts to candle-making lessons. There’s a big DIY sub-culture on TikTok, so you can expect hundreds of laundry-related tips and tricks too.


Some of these "hacks" don't work, though, because they aren't always based on the ‘science’ of how to properly take care of your washing machine (and the various types of fabric within). Indeed, it’s also possible that one person's successful methods in their laundry room won't produce the same good results for you.

Colin Jones, a category expert at Appliances Online, is here to help you sift through a number of laundry hacks by giving his verdict on five popular ones and letting you know whether they do more harm than good.

Before we begin, Colin recommends following the instructions in the manual that came with your appliance. This is because the manufacturer is unlikely to cover a warranty claim for damage caused by doing something that is not recommended in the manual.

Reusable dryer sheet hack – It's a NO from Colin.

This do-it-yourself tip is supposed to save money compared to purchasing dryer sheets. It begins with soaking a sponge in fabric softener, and it is followed by tossing the sponge in the dryer along with your laundry.

According to Colin, despite how appealing it is to have reusable options, this particular tip isn't worth a shot.

"Dryer sheets are used to remove the static from your clothes and add a fragrant smell to your garments. Using a sponge soaked in fabric softener as an alternative to dryer sheets will not dispense the softener evenly throughout your garments, leaving you with stain marks on your clothes," he explained.

It turns out that dryer sheets are completely unnecessary, anyway. Colin suggests using the cooling down cycle on your dryer to reduce static and adding fabric softener to the washing machine compartment for fragrance.



Tennis balls instead of dryer balls – You could do this, but it could be noisy and may potentially damage your machine.

Another method for reducing static electricity is to put a couple of tennis balls in the dryer. Chantel Mila, a popular Aussie TikToker, is a fan of this and claims that the tennis balls will also keep your sheets from tangling in the dryer.

Even though Colin didn't put this tip to bed entirely, he did warn that it might be noisy. He also knows an easier way to avoid getting tangled up linen.

"If you are struggling with tangled sheets, you are most likely overfilling your dryer. Try reducing the amount of items you place in your dryer and see if this makes a difference," he said.

"Tennis balls may work as an alternative to dryer balls, however, they will be a lot louder as they knock around the dryer. If you are doing this, I would suggest trying with a smaller load."


Ice cubes in the dryer to remove creases – It's a NO from Colin.

Few (if any) people enjoy ironing clothes, which is a tedious task that becomes even more aggravating when you're in a hurry and the shirt you want to wear is creased.

So, as demonstrated by TikTok user @howdoesshe, putting your wrinkly clothes in the dryer with a handful of ice cubes on high heat sounds very appealing.

Colin thinks this hack is a waste of energy and not worth turning on the dryer for.

"Using ice cubes in the dryer to reduce wrinkles on your clothes may work, however it is not a practical solution, especially if you are only doing this for one garment," he said.

"If it is a nice day outside, I would suggest drying your clothes out in the sun and laying them down flat or on a hanger to reduce wrinkles."



Blue dishwashing detergent to make whites brighter – It's a NO from Colin.

Nobody likes it when their white towels, sheets, and clothes turn grey, so when TikToker Meredith Lane suggested a simple solution, we listened.

She suggested using a squirt of blue dishwashing detergent on a tea towel and tossing it in with your laundry for "the whitest white laundry ever."

However, renowned dry cleaner Zachary Pozniak has already debunked this hack. He explained that the blue in the detergent only temporarily whitens the item by counteracting the yellow.

Colin has also given this one the thumbs down.

"Using blue dishwashing detergent won't do anything that selecting the correct wash settings and using stain remover won't do," he said.

"As long as you are reading the care labels on your clothes and putting your machine on the correct cycle, temperature and speed, your garments should be free of any stains leaving your clothes looking brighter. For pesky stains, try using stain remover instead."

Strip washing clothes and linens for a deeper clean – It's a NO from Colin.

There aren't many things scarier than finding dirt and grime hidden in something you wear or lie on.

So watching a TikTok video on strip washing, such as the one from user @pwincesslexx, is enough to make us want to try it ourselves.

Strip washing is the process of soaking items in hot water with borax and laundry detergent. This process usually produces murky water, giving the impression that we've removed a lot of gunk from our clothes and linens.


However, Colin believes that a strip wash is unnecessary and that simply following the appliance and garment instructions will get your laundry clean.

"Many washing machines have a pre-wash cycle option, which is a 15-minute cycle that is aimed to loosen any deep dirt on your garments. After this pre-wash, it continues with the normal cycle at the desired temperature," he explained.

"Throughout the whole wash process, your machine will maintain the temperature giving you the most effective outcome. If you were doing a strip wash, the temperature would not stay consistent as the heat would escape from the bathtub or sink," he added.

"As long as you have selected the correct cycle, temperature and speed for your garments there is no need to do a strip wash."


Looks like most TikTok hacks that have been going around on social media are quite ineffective…

Do you have any additional tried-and-true laundry hacks that you've been using in your homes? Share them with us in the comments, you might just help a fellow member in need!