The essential laundry kit

Make sure you have everything you need to sail through the washing however full the basket

Delicate washing liquid
Whether you hand wash your delicates or use the special setting on your machine, you'll need a gentle cleaner. Lakeland's Wool Mix, £4.99, is pH neutral and biodegradable

Washing basket liner
A liner protects clothes from snagging on the sharp edging of wicker baskets. This one's from The White Company and costs £18

Fabric softener
Softener makes fibres softer and ironing easier. However avoid using it when washing towels as it will make them less absorbent

Detergent
Eco-friendly is expensive, but all ingredients are natural plant-based, biodegradable, safe on the skin and won't fade colours

Stain remover
Use Vanish Oxi Action, £2.99, to treat individual stains. Just spray on before you put in the wash. Add Oxi Clean, £2.99, to the wash to keep whites white and tackle tricky stains such as grass and red wine

Pegs
For hard-wearing garments like jeans, standard pegs are fine. But, for delicate items, use these soft grip designs that won't leave hard-to-iron-out marks on your clothes. Find them at Lakeland for £3.99 for 20

Make washing chores even easier with our top tips on organising your laundry room

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