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Generally I do a load of laundry every day. Every other day in the warmer months, because clothes are smaller and I can fit more of them into one load than I can when compared to winter clothes. Over the years I have gotten better at not letting laundry get the best of me. I mean, it doesn’t HAVE to be difficult. In truth, laundry is only difficult when we let it get that way.
The photo above is what happened not too long ago when I went two days without doing laundry. Now, I know that we all have things going on in life. Once in a while, like the recent occasion I just mentioned, I let things get the best of me and the laundry piles up. The best thing to do with laundry that’s piling up is to deal with it head on. Here are some tips that I find helpful in taming my laundry monster, and for keeping him under control the majority of the time.
Laundry starts when it’s being taken off. Don’t waste time going from room to room hunting for it. Know where the dirty laundry is. If you keep a hamper or laundry basket in each room, everyone can get their dirty laundry right in there. I prefer to sort by family member, a habit I picked up when we had to use a different detergent for my youngest. It works well for me now today because I don’t have to sort things to go to different rooms once the clothes are clean. I just bring the laundry basket to the right room, put the clothes away, and leave the laundry basket to be used again.
If you have family members with delicates or small items, be sure to keep a large mesh bag in that hamper. Mesh bags are also a great way to help prevent socks from getting lost.
Do a load of wash as soon as the laundry basket is full. Don’t run the machine when you don’t have enough clothes, and don’t wait until you have so much clothes that you’re cramming it into the washer and there’s no room for things to move. Use a laundry basket that fits approximately the amount of clothes in one load of laundry.
I don’t usually separate lights and darks, unless I have a big concern that something is not colorfast. I wash most of my laundry on cold or warm without separating it with no problems.
Time your laundry. My washer and dryer both have a digital display letting me know how long they will be in there washing or drying. If you can’t hear the washer and dryer in other parts of the house, use an app on your phone or even a kitchen timer to let you know when it’s time to move the clothes in or out of the washer and dryer. If I go into my laundry room every 60-65 minutes I can move whatever clothes needs to be moved and start the next load. We’ve all had those moments where we forgot clothes were in the washer and they started smelling bad because they were in there too long and had to be washed again. As long as I stay on top of the time this doesn’t happen.
Speaking of staying on top of things, there’s folding. I don’t actually know of anyone that enjoys it. It’s best to treat it like you remove a bandaid – just do it and do it quick. By folding laundry as soon as it’s out of the dryer you reduce the chance of having as many wrinkles. If you iron certain things, consider ironing those items when they are needed, rather than when you put them away. They only get wrinkled in the closet any way.
Don’t bother folding anything you’re going to hang. Keeping some hangers in the laundry room can be very helpful. not only are they great for well, hanging clothes you’re going to hang in the closet, but they are also helpful for things you’re going to air dry.
If you find your laundry gets out of hand often, or if you deal with a lot of laundry, the most helpful tip I can offer is to have a washer and dryer that can get the job done and be reliable. My Speed Queen Home Laundry set handles it without a hiccup. Learn more about why they are so strong by using the calculator at www.speedqueen.com/products/front-load-washers.aspx#durability.
How many loads of laundry do you do each week?
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I feel like my life is part living and a huge part laundry… I can’t even count how many clothes I fold a week… life with kids! well, thanks for these great tips!
I hate the laundry. Absolutely detest it. It doesn’t end. The bottom of the laundry basket is a mythical place!
The worst part for me is putting it all away. My husband won’t do it as he xan’t tell my daughters clothes apart (convenient) so it’s up to me. Grrr.
It sounds like you’ve got a good system going on. We are N every day laundry kind of people too. With four people in the house it piles up fast.
Wow this helps a lot! I’m one to separate darks and lights! These tips are intriguing.
I do 6-8 loads on an average week…for clothes alone. Let’s not even talk about bedding, towels, etc. I have a horrible tendency to wait until the weekend and just do laundry all day Sat and Sun.
I do about 12-14 loads a week but we are big family with 7 people. Thanks for these tips.
We do at least a few loads a week. Our laundry decreased after my oldest moved out. I think she must have changed clothes twice a day sometimes.
Love your tips! I can’t wait to use some of them! Laundry is definitely an issue at my home!
I’m doing laundry every other day and it’s not my favorite chore. I invested in a ton of hangers to avoid folding.. but still, it seems like a lot of work.
Laundry! It piles up all the time and I feel like I am always doing a wash. Thank you for some very helpful tips.
I do so much laundry! I have two in private school which means uniform clothes, plus my son is in soccer during this season, my daughter is in dance, and they are both in swimming. I also workout so I have my gym clothes as well!
Gosh, we have loads of laundry because of the kids! My sons sometimes use like 3 outfits a day.
Even though it is only my husband and I, I feel like I am always doing laundry! I rarely sort the colours from the darks, I don’t see the need.
Laundry is one of the chores that I really don’t mind doing. I do hate when it piles up everywhere though! Five people in a house to one laundry person can get nuts.
Laundry is one of the must do evils! I feel like it is ALWAYS haunting me.
I do laundry three times a week depending if there’s too much going out of the house or none that week. Thanks for your tips.