Doing laundry can drive any person insane. It is one of the most banal, yet necessary duties of running a household. And it never ends. That common saying should be modified to read, “Nothing is certain but death, laundry, and taxes.” Sort, rinse, spin, dry, fold, sort, rinse, spin, dry, fold…
It’s easy to let loads of laundry build up until you are completely overwhelmed. The race to stay on top feels like treading water in a sea of polos, khakis, pjs, and unmatched socks.
With a household of five, I am constantly doing laundry. Ominous armpit stains, ferocious grass smears, and teeth-gnashing skid marks plague my dreams. So, to keep from being institutionalized, I’ve had to turn my laundry into a system, not an asylum. Here are a few tips to help transform your piles of chaos into neat, clean bundles.
Get Organized!
I want my laundry room to be a place of order and organization, where I can feel relatively peaceful. Consequently, it occasionally serves as a refuge from toddler tantrums and irrational requests. Every laundry essential is at my fingertips. Shelves and baskets are wonderful to store detergent, fabric softener, and stain remover. I use Mason jars to put loose change, buttons, golf tees, etc. that fall out of pockets during wash. Having hangers handy makes for quick hang-up of wrinkle-prone clothing.
Have a plan of attack!
Tackling armies of clothes requires a reasonable plan. It’s important to find a system that works for you and your family. Currently, I designate Tuesdays and Thursdays as laundry boot camp days with the following system:
Kids’ vs. Adults’ laundry
Before children, I did laundry once a week for my husband and myself. After a few batches, we were set for the week. Three crazy kiddos later, and I am still amazed at how messy kids are! From baby food fiascos and potty training accidents, to muddy pirate adventures and cooking experiments, kids are busy learning, creating, and just plain having fun. And their clothes show it.
Some people wash clothes by kid, which is a great way to stay organized and eliminate sorting. My kids are still young (8 months, two, and four years old), so I wash all of their clothes in the same batch with cold water and Tide Coldwater detergent. It keeps colors vibrant and saves energy and money at the same time! I also throw in a Tide Boost Duo Pac, which pulverizes those chocolate donut stains—hey, I have to make it through a grocery trip somehow!
Next, for the adult clothes. I keep two laundry baskets in our closet designated for whites and colors. Like a well-trained Collie (okay, he would detest that comparison), my husband has learned to sort whites from colors, which has helped me immensely. Towels and sheets either go in the whites or the colors basket. I never said I was perfect.
When my husband requests that his pristine, white golf shirt get the VIP treatment, I smile, nod, and assure him that “Phil”—that’s the shirt’s name—will get only the best. Then I proceed to take Phil and toss him in with the other poly-cotton peasants. As long as I use Tide Vivid White + Bright, they all receive the VIP treatment!
Sorting the good, the bad, and the ugly
My family has a tendency to throw all clothes into the hamper. This is why I employ what I call the “sniff test.” You’ve probably caught yourself doing the same; now it has a name.
Any vagabond garment found lying around my house gets the following inspection:
Step 1:The initial sniff. When held to the nose, any item emitting unpleasant body odors or forensic-like smells immediately get sentenced to the hamper. If no offending odors are detected, go to step 2.
Step 2: Follow-up sniff and inspection. Give it another sniff, just to make sure you didn’t miss anything, then carefully examine the garment for glaring infractions. These may include condiment blobs from last night’s barbecue, signs of mud fight warfare, or skid marks so dangerous, they’re about to cause a pile-up. Stains requiring immediate attention meet the handy Tide To Go pen, Tide boost spray, or Tide Boost Duo Pacs. They are miracle workers! If an article passes both Step 1 and Step 2, proceed to step 3.
Step 3: Return to sender. The vagrant is promptly escorted back to the closet or dresser where it belongs.
Make laundry {somewhat} fun.
Though not the most titillating tasks, laundry can become a friend rather than foe with a few minor adjustments.
Fold clothes to a movie or TV show. The day I started folding laundry to my favorite television show was the day I actually started looking forward to doing it! Save folding for when the kids go to bed and you can successfully justify a little screen time.
Get kids involved! My little ones love to be wherever I am. I should be flattered, but sometimes they just seem to be in the way. Recently, I’ve let them in on the laundry fun by having them push the high-tech buttons on the washer and dryer and helping me sort clothes. They love finding their clothes in the big mountain of clothes and folding/crumpling them into their own piles. It’s like Dora the Explorer LIVE! And when I put a pair of clean underwear on my head and pretend it’s a rain hat, they erupt in giggles. Giggles are definitely fun.
Get talking! Thirty minutes to fold clothes is the perfect time to catch up with your kids or spouse. Talk about the highs and lows of their day or talk about what is important to them.
Although doing laundry is a chore that will never end, you don’t have to allow it to swallow you whole. Find a system that works for you and try to have a sense of humor about it! I mean, how can you not laugh with a pair of Batman underpants on your head?
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Heather Rebekkah says
Thanks for the tips! I use Dreft Spray for my kids’ (and Hunnie’s) stains.. that stuff gets EVERYTHING out! But, I may try the tide products you mentioned if they save me an extra step. We already use Tide detergent and love it, so why not try some of their other helpers.
I always try to fold the laundry at nap time, while catching up on some of my favorite Netflix shows. Sometimes, when there are extra loads, Hunnie & I will sit down together to fold. We either talk (uninterrupted-what a concept) or watch one of out ‘together’ shows. Makes it so much more enjoyable and go so much quicker!
Nicolette says
So nice to know! I’ll definitely be trying Dreft for stain removal. Wonder if it combats armpit stains? If anyone knows a secret to removing those, I would love to hear it!
And yes, I love catching up with my Netflix shows while folding laundry. I’ve devoured (fitting word choice) The Walking Dead while folding many a load of laundry:)
Grimm says
Have you tried a stain sponge? They sell them at the craft stores and they really do get those pit stains out.
Once you know what those stains really are getting them out is a breeze. Pit stains are commonly a build up of deodorant, sweat, dirt and dead skin cells. Most stain removers just ‘bleach’ out the color of these stains and do not get rid of the cause.
Alyson says
More deets on the stain sponge please? What section of the craft store are they in? Is there a brand name or just called stain sponge? So need this product!!!
Katia says
Fels-naphtha soap, scrub with hot water. Then throw in wash. Takes out EVERYTHING!!!
Katie Allison Granju says
Your system puts mine to shame. I am now inspired to try to get my laundry act together.
🙂
-Katie
Nicolette says
It can still get overwhelming if I fall behind. It’s just easier to stay on top of it, rather than be consumed playing catch-up. No doubt you’ll get your “act” together:). Good luck!
Missy says
Nicolette, you crack me up! I loved reading this. I luckily have taught my older kids to do their own which has helped a ton. My younger kids love sorting socks so when they want to “help” – they get sock sorting duty. I am going to have to try underwear head…:)
Jess C says
I have 5 kids, ages 14,12, 10, 7, and 4. My laundry pile is a mountain! I have a routine that works great for us.
I wash on Mondays and Thursdays.
I have 4 baskets in the laundry room for sorting; white (whites), green (towels), pink (reds), blue (darks). The kids have NO excuses as to what goes where….it’s kinda obvious!
I fold the laundry immediately after the dryer stops. I hate wrinkles, but I HATE ironing even more! Besides, it is easier to fold it when its fresh from the dryer!
Towels, washcloths, sock, and undies are usually folded by the younger 2 kiddos.
I line up the piles from Hubby to the youngest, so if any of the kids help, they can figure out whose pile is whose.
I also have small baskets (from BigLots or DollarTree) to hold each persons’ socks (pairs only) and undies. It makes it easier for them to get everything put away and there are no more stray socks or undies where they don’t belong.
Any loner socks are kept in a basket in the laundry room until its sole mate is found.
Everyone is responsible for putting their own clothes away at the end of the day, and the baskets must be returned to the laundry room. My 4yo is the BEST at getting his clothes away, and he’s quite proud of that fact!
It’s not perfect, but it works for us. 🙂
Nicolette says
You are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing. I need to be better about folding when clothes come right out of the dryer.
K Crew says
Wearing underwear on my head (and asking the rest of the family to do the same…8 people in all) is how I finally got my son to potty-train and agree to wear underwear instead of a diaper. I know that’s not related to laundry, but it is related to the post, and who knows maybe it will help someone else with potty-training their kid! 😉
Kelly says
With three under the age of 6, one on the way, and an active duty military hubby our laundry easily resembles one of those never-ending overseas conflicts!
Our system is pretty simple: a basket for the kids, a basket for the grownups, one for the whites, and one for the towels and linens. My oldest two (5 and 3.5) love to do the laundry, so I taught them how to run the washing machine and dryer. Under supervision, of course. 😀 Clothes are separated by the kids into the dryer or the laundry line, and when it’s all dry I fold it into stacks according to age. The kids usually fold socks and underwear. Everyone, even the 2 year old, puts their own clothes away…either in a drawer or (as my girls wear mostly dresses) on a hanger. The 2 year old may not always get them into the right drawer, but he’s working on it!
I find that if I do one load each night our life goes a little more smoothly. Anything that reduces the last minute scramble for a pair of socks is worth it in my book!
We use Nellie’s Laundry Soda for everything from cloth diapers to military uniforms, with a kick from Oxi Clean when needed. Nellie’s makes everything so…clean! If I come across something a little challenging I break out the big guns: Oxi Clean Max Force Gel Stick. I have yet to find anything that it couldn’t tackle.
Nicolette says
I love that you’re teaching your kids to do laundry so young! I think that is such an important life skill to learn. My mom is still doing laundry for my 18 and 21 year old brothers…it will be a tough lesson for them to learn;)
Kelly says
I have two cousins who went through the same thing!
Kids can do so much more than people suspect..all they need is a little freedom and a lot of encouragement.
Nikki says
Nicolette,
I have a system too! And I know it’s not for everyone…..but when I was single, I washed once a month, since most of my work clothes were drycleaned….when I got married, I bumped it to 2 times a month(every other week)…… We now have 2 kids, 4 and 2 and I STILL wash twice a week…..only when someone is potty training, do I bump it up a little…..every when they were infants, I would soak a blow out or spit up onesie in the sink, and scrub the stain out, let it dry on the counter and throw it in the hamper…….
I wash the kids clothes in one wash each, my husband and my clothes are washed together in separate washes of darks and white…and ONCE a month, I wash towels and sheets……
The trick is to have enough clothes for 2 weeks…..I buy clothes on clearance and 2nd hand, so the kids have enough for 2 weeks outfits and pjs…..
As the kids clothes come out of the dryer, I go ahead and match up the outfits on hangers…so I have 12-14 hanging outfits all ready to go…..and 12-14 sets of night clothes folded and ready to go,…..!
I recommend it for all!
Nicolette says
That’s awesome Nikki! How do you keep your towels smelling fresh? If I let mine sit in the laundry basket for a few days, they seem to have a musty smell. I love that your system is such a time saver. I’ll have to try it out:)
Wendy says
Musty means spores or bacteria. I only wash towels when we are out, once every 2 months. I have allot of towels. I wash them with vinegar. It kills whatever is causing the musty. If I skip vinegar they are musty within a day or two of using them. With vinegar, no musty.
Josi says
Thanks for posting! I get so overwhelmed by laundry! This year my only New Years Resolution was to fold all my laundry right after it was done in the dryer. I lasted 2 days. I will try so of your ideas! Thanks for the tips!
Danielle says
I long for the days when I could do a load of laundry at home – now doing laundry involves towing baskets full of clothes, detergent, softener, and a six year old, to a non air-conditioned laundromat every week – which has it’s fair share of colorful characters hanging out there doing laundry with me… :-T
Jessie says
Where did you get the blue laundry basket?!?!
Nicolette says
I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond:)
Aryn says
I used to have baskets in everyone’s room that I would sort through when they started getting full (which got to be a hassle because usually there weren’t as many clothes as I’d thought). Then I got a 4-bag laundry sorter that sits upstairs in the hallway right between the bedrooms and bathroom. It has been a godsend. My husband and daughter now throw their OWN clothes into the right bag (most of the time) and I can see when one load needs to be done and throw it in the wash. I do towels and bedding separately on alternate weekends so I know exactly how many loads to expect, which is usually: whites, colors, blues, darks, diapers, and towels/bedding. It seems like such a little thing, but that laundry sorter has saved me from so many tedious hours of digging through dirty clothes!
Helen Callaghan says
GREAT article about the laundry! I enjoy your practical tips so much!
Sara says
-I started safety pinning our socks together instead of folding them. My aunt (with 12 kids) did this and it always seemed like more work to me than just simply folding them. I decided to try it out and I’m sold for good. The key to this golden method is that the launderer doesn’t have to continue trying to keep matches together whether they are dirty or clean, off or on, his or hers because they go everywhere together. If they aren’t on the owner’s feet they are matched. The best part of all is that the workload is spread throughout the family. They are the ones that open and close the safety pin.
My Hubby was hesitant at first but he’s all for it now and doesn’t mind the change. (the baby’s socks aren’t pinned for safety reasons and Hubby and I pin and unpin our 3 year old’s). No more keeping track of 30+ little and big socks every time I do laundry! This may seem like a miniscule thing but honestly it’s changed my life.
Sara says
p.s. we just leave the safety pin on one of the socks when they are being used. When it’s time to take them off, the safety pin just gets opened and the other sock gets slipped on. I keep the safety pin placed at the top of the sock.
Nicolette says
Fabulous idea!
Nicolette says
I’ve heard that vinegar works wonders. I’ll have to try that, thanks!
Nicolette says
A stain sponge…amazing! I will be trying that this week. I’ve thrown one too many white shirts away due to pit stains!
Ronda says
I have 6 children and have used this system for awhile….I put one dot on the oldest child’s clothes with a sharpie…usually on the tag or inside the collar. I put two dots on the 2nd oldest and so on, down to the youngest, who has 6 dots. When clothes get passed down from one to the next, I just add a dot. I have boys and girls, but some of the clothes, such as gym shorts and some t-shirts, are unisex, so they get passed down and are easier to identify with this system. This helps not only me, but if someone is helping me with the laundry (husband, mother, sisters, children, etc) they can easily sort the clothes.
Paula Gale says
Wow – I love your system – you have so got your lot trained.
In the UK, we tend not to have the luxury of laundry rooms – some larger houses may have a utility room but not many. Generally the washing machine is in the kitchen, so my laundry (which we refer to as ‘washing’!) gets sorted on the kitchen floor in front of the washing machine. Our tumble dryer is in the garage where there is more room to work (this is a detached not integral btw). I completely agree about folding clothes up straight from the dryer as it does eliminate ironing – something that doesn’t happen in this house!!
My 2 sons who are now late teens, are terrible at ‘releasing’ their dirty washing so I need a routine that works for us all… its the one thing in life I’ve never been able to bottom… I loved this article because it has given me some insite into what a better system that looks like…
As for the products – not sure they are available in the UK – but it certainly sounds like its worth looking out for.
Thanks again for bringing useful stories like this
Paula. x x x
Brooke says
Love the helpful hints making laundry more tolerable. I have found the dry home made laundry soap to work very well and so does my family. Brother, sister and mother all swear by it and we share making it together. Well not mmy brother. But you probably guessed that.he’s just the tell me what I owe you and I’ll drop it off. He is a laudry wiz and has found that just the mixture it’s self makes for a wonderful spot treatment. Make a paste out of it and it even removes blood from whites. You can find the recipe on pinterest. Baking soda, borax, fels naphta soap, oxy (dollar store brand works great) washing soda, and a sent crystal if desired
Brooke says
Try Dawn dish washing soap on grease. Amazing spot treatment for grease and who doesn’t use Dawn! The blue is the strongest so it works the best.