Would you think I was weird if I told you that I like doing laundry? Well, I DO!! I’m not an expert by any means and I always call my Mom for advice when I have a stain I can’t get out, but I’ve done my fair share of laundry over the last 24 years!
Seriously, there was a time in my life where I was doing around 20 loads of laundry a week. Yes, that’s laundry for 6 people, sheets and towels and I was overwhelmed! Now that my kids are older and do their own laundry, I usually do only 7 loads a week. That averages out to be one load a day!
I empathized with a Mom this week that was feeling overwhelmed with all of her families laundry. Thinking back to when I was doing all of the laundry for our family, I remembered a system that helped me keep on top of things and I shared it with her. I assumed everyone did laundry this way but I found that many did not. Here was my method to conquer Mt. Washmore each week.
1. Buy everyone a hamper or laundry basket for their room. I use a Sterilite Rolling hamper that you can find at Walmart for about $15, but any hamper will do. Obviously, all dirty clothes go in the hamper.
2. Assign each person a day. Bring their hamper in the laundry room empty and sort into darks and whites (keep it simple). Yes, I realize this isn’t the laundry room, but my daughter separates it in her room.
Here’s how I set my schedule up at the time.
Monday- Hubby & My Wash (1 load of whites, 1 load of darks)
Tuesday- Kid #1 ( 1 load of whites, 1 load of darks)
Wednesday- Kid #2 (1 load of whites, 1 load of darks)
Thursday- Kid #3 (1 load of whites, 1 load of darks)
Friday- Hubby & My (darks only) Kid #4 (1 load of darks, 1 load of whites)
Saturday/Sunday- Sheets, Towels, Misc.
When loads were done, I folded their clothes and put them on their bed. If they were over the age of 4, it was their responsibility to put away their clothes by bedtime. (and no, it didn’t always happen perfectly every week!! Sometimes it took some help from Mom to get the job done.)
If you have “Littles” at your house, I know how hard this can be. Please remember that it’s a stage and you will get through it!! And if your “little” has reached the age of 10, then it’s time to start teaching them how to sort and do their own laundry. Remember, the goal of parenting is to teach them to survive and thrive without you–and that’s a good thing!!
Wish I had thought of this when my child was little! “Smiling”
No you’re not alone. I too don’t mind the Laundry. Like you I have a system because our laundry is so small and the pass thru to the garage. I do it all in 24hours. Yes all 6 people’s laundry and towels! I too have helpers. I have always designated a “laundry day” it is always the day of the week that consistently has the least going on. This year it’s Monday night to Tuesday night (yes the washer is churning in the background as I type). The ordeal starts on Monday after each child gets home they have to sort their hamper, even the five year old knows his darks, lights, red, etc. I sort mine and Sandeep’s. Then the washing begins. I here have a system-white bleach load, dark towels, darks, reds, lights. Now this is when it gets crazy. I air dry almost all our clothes. Thus the system. The first two loads just go into the dryer no sort. The later loads I sort dryer/hang. I then take the to be air dried stuff to the basement where I have many racks one for each kid. I fold using the kitchen table- this means it better be clear by Tuesday nights dinner or big problems! On Sunday night, each kid puts away all his dry clothes. Hey, as crazy as it is, it works for us. The biggest key to climbing any mountain is finding the right path that keeps you moving forward.