Protect Delicates In The Laundry With The Simple Pillowcase Trick

While we all love our washing machines, it's important to be realistic about what they can potentially do to our clothing. When doing your laundry, forgetting to do small things like leaving hooks unsecured, closing zips, or unfastening buttons can end in frustration, and maybe even damage to some of your favorite items.

Since the wrong water temperature might cause an item to shrink, or its colors to fade and run, laundry experts say it is best to wash your delicates by hand. However, it is still possible to wash them in the washer — as long as you do it the right way. Sort your delicates according to color and fabric, and make sure you keep them protected from items that can potentially rip or snag. One useful way to protect your delicates is to make use of a laundry bag, which keeps them separate from the other laundry.

But if you don't have a mesh laundry bag lying around, there are still other things you can use to ensure your delicates get the TLC they need. One useful tip is to use a pillowcase — just load your delicate items into the case and secure the open end with a rubber band to keep them from spilling out. And, while you might be tempted to pack the pillowcase full of clothes, it may be best to keep it roomy, so the items will be fully cleaned. Also, it's best to ensure that the pillowcase is a neutral shade, so no color accidents can occur.

If you are using this pillowcase hack to wash your bra, make sure you fasten the bra clasp so the hooks don't potentially catch onto anything else, and ruin your bra in the process. Pillowcases aren't just handy for when you need to wash delicates — they make an excellent all-around laundry bag when you're on the road too. Just throw one into your suitcase before you depart, and you have a handy way to keep your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones.