Hosting overnight guests can quickly turn into a laundry list of chores. So as summer approaches — and with it, vacationing friends and family members — there’s no better time to draw up plans before they arrive. From bedding to towels to clothes, it’s easy for that additional laundry to stack up until it seems overwhelming. But with the right strategies and tips, you can easily keep things fresh and clean — managing loads of guests while staying at the top of your laundry game.
Make a plan
How many guests are you having? And for how long? Key points to consider when mapping out a laundry schedule. If you have only one or two guests, you may not need to set a laundry day before they arrive. But if it’s a larger group, you will want to ensure your laundry is out of the way before they show up and the clothes and bedding start piling up.
Designate a laundry station
Before your guests arrive, set up a designated laundry basket in their room or a common area they can easily access. This will not only help keep things organized but also prevent any lost items from getting mixed in with your laundry. We’ve all pulled an unknown sock or T-shirt out of our clean laundry, never to be seen again by its rightful owner. Specific laundry hampers help to prevent clothes from getting mixed up.
Talk with your guests
Communication is crucial to avoiding any clothing catastrophes. Ask your guests to inform you of any delicate items they prefer to be hand washed or hung to dry. This will help prevent any mishaps or unhappy visitors. They can set aside any delicate items or place them in a unique laundry bag, so you know to give them extra care.
Use hypoallergenic laundry sheets
Harsh detergents can irritate the skin, especially if your guests have sensitive skin or allergies, so hypoallergenic laundry detergent sheets are a perfect alternative. Free of dyes, harsh fragrances, and other common irritants, they’re also incredibly convenient and easy to use. Just toss a sheet into the wash with your laundry, and you’re good to go. They also take up less space than bulky detergent boxes and jugs and look great in the laundry room.
And if you’re the one traveling, SaltyLama’s slim, light laundry sheets will slip easily into your luggage or backpack. Take them wherever you are staying.
Keep stain remover on hand
Accidents happen, so be sure to keep a stain remover on hand and treat any stains as soon as possible to avoid them setting in. Forget spending loads on plastic bottles of stain remover. You can easily make a DIY stain remover using a concentration of one-part SaltyLama laundry detergent sheets with two parts hydrogen peroxide for an effective clean. You can even leave a bottle of your homemade stain remover in the guest room for their convenience.
Wash bedding weekly
To keep your guest rooms feeling clean, wash the bedding at least once a week. Bedding can harbor bacteria and germs, especially if your guests have been traveling. Wash using your usual settings but turn the heat up once the guests have departed. This will get rid of any germs or bacteria before any new guests arrive.
Sort clothes by color and fabric
Sorting clothes by color and fabric type helps prevent colors from bleeding onto other clothes and ensures that delicate fabrics are treated gently. Encourage your guests to sort their clothes before putting them in the hamper or laundry basket. Consider providing separate hampers or baskets for different types of clothing, such as whites, darks, and delicates.
Encourage guests to hang up their towels
Don’t leave towels lying around. Make sure every guest has their own and encourage them to hang them up after each use, allowing them to dry completely. It’s recommended you wash towels every three or four days or as needed. It also helps if you wash towels together — and separately from other laundry — since they both produce and pick up lint.
Dry clothes on a low heat setting or hang-dry them
To avoid clothes from being damaged, dry everything at a low heat setting. However, some fabrics are best hang-dried to maintain their shape and texture. Be sure to check the care label on each item and follow the recommended instructions. You can use hangers if you don’t have a clothesline or drying rack. Simply hang them up in a well-ventilated area until they’re dry. Not only is it an excellent method to keep delicate fabrics and items wrinkle-free, but it’s an environmentally friendly alternative to running the dryer.
Provide extra hangers
Nobody likes living out of a suitcase, so supply plenty of hangers for your guests. Not only will this help them stay organized and wrinkle-free, but it will make them feel right at home. If you feel like being creative, you can even tie ribbons around the hangers for a pop of color. Who knows — your guests may even take a picture for their Instagram feed and tag you as the most stylish host ever. Follow these tips to fold better and hang up laundry.
Offer ironing supplies
If your guests need to do some ironing during their stay, show them to the laundry room or wherever you keep the board and supplies. Make sure to leave a spray bottle filled with water.
Following these laundry tips and tricks will ensure your guests enjoy a comfortable, stress-free stay. Plus, you won’t feel overwhelmed by piles of laundry. Happy hosting!