I was standing in the laundry aisle at the supermarket last week, completely overwhelmed by the wall of colorful bottles and packages. Do I really need enzyme boosters? What about those scent beads? And why are there seventeen different types of fabric softener?

If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. The cleaning supply industry has gotten really good at convincing us we need specialized products for everything. But after years of doing laundry (and making plenty of mistakes), I’ve learned that most of these products are just clever marketing.

Whether you’re a uni student setting up your first place or someone who’s tired of having a utility room that looks like a chemistry lab, here’s what you actually need and what you can skip.

The real essentials

These are the things I always make sure I have. Everything else is bonus.

A decent laundry detergent is obviously non-negotiable. I’ve tried fancy imported brands and budget local ones, and honestly? TOP, Attack, and Persil all work perfectly fine for most situations. You can grab them anywhere: NTUC, Sheng Siong, even the mama shop downstairs. If you have sensitive skin or you’re washing baby clothes, spend a bit more on fragrance free options.

You need something for stains too. I keep a stain removal pen in my bag and a bottle of stain remover at home. The key is treating stains quickly. Don’t let that kopi stain sit overnight and expect miracles later. Pro tip from my mom: Mama Lemon dish soap actually works wonders on oil stains.

Get a proper laundry basket with holes or mesh sides. Trust me on this. If you throw your gym clothes or work shirts into a solid plastic basket, they’ll start smelling funky before you even get to wash them. The breathable baskets from Daiso or IKEA work great and don’t cost much.

Mesh laundry bags are lifesavers for anything delicate: bras, workout clothes, face masks, anything with straps that might get tangled. They’re maybe $2 each at Daiso and will save you from having to replace stretched out sports bras.

You’ll also need somewhere to hang things. Not everything should go in the dryer (and let’s be honest, most of us don’t even have one). A simple drying rack from IKEA or ToTT Store is perfect for HDB flats.

What you can skip

The marketing teams have done a great job convincing us we need all sorts of specialized products. Most of them are unnecessary.

You don’t need different detergents for every fabric type. One good detergent and the right washing machine settings will handle 95% of your laundry. If you’re really concerned about delicates, just use less detergent and a gentle cycle.

Skip regular bleach unless you’re dealing with seriously stained white items. Bleach is harsh and can damage fabrics over time. If you need whitening power, oxygen bleaches like Vanish Oxi Action are much gentler.

Color catcher sheets are only useful if you’re regularly washing brand new red items with white clothes (which you shouldn’t be doing anyway). Modern detergents and washing machines are pretty good at preventing color bleeding.

Scent boosters don’t actually clean anything. They just mask odors. If your clothes don’t smell clean without them, there’s probably another issue. Maybe your washing machine needs cleaning, or you’re using too little detergent.

Be careful with TikTok laundry hacks. I’ve seen some wild stuff on social media. Dishwasher pods in the washing machine? Vinegar and baking soda for everything? Some of these “hacks” can actually damage your clothes or washing machine.

Keeping it simple

After years of trial and error, I’ve realized that simple is better. Stick with products that work for you. I’ve been using the same detergent for three years because it works reliably. Deal with stains immediately. That laksa spill isn’t going to disappear on its own. Actually read the care labels. Those little symbols are there for a reason. Use cold water for most loads. It’s better for the environment and prevents colors from fading.

Clean your washing machine occasionally too. A dirty machine can’t clean your clothes properly. Run an empty hot water cycle with some white vinegar every few months.

The laundry aisle doesn’t have to be intimidating. You really don’t need dozens of products to get clean clothes. A few reliable basics and some common sense will get you much better results than a cabinet full of gimmicky products.

And if you ever run into something you’re not sure how to handle, like that silk blouse or expensive blazer, that’s when professional dry cleaning makes sense. At Presto Drycleaners, we see people all the time who’ve tried everything to remove a stain or accidentally damaged something with the wrong product. We’re always happy to help figure out the best approach for tricky items.