My family's laundry had gotten out of hand!! Anyone have any "systems" that work?

Question

I have a famiy of four and we each change about twice a day. Not including pj's, boy scout uniforms, etc... Then there are sheets, towels, comforters, etc.. to be washed each week. Most of my clothes need to be hand washed or washed in cold then hung to dry. We go thru alot of sweats and jeans. Hope this info helps.

Answer 1

I've tried varous things. The one that worked the best was to have different baskets for each type of laundry. Darks, Lights, Bleachables, Jeans (if you have bleeder), and towels. When a basket gets full wash it. Also fold it as soon as the dryer is done so it doesn't get all wrinkly.

Now since that method requires co-operation from other family members and didn't work out so well. I have a different method that works pretty well for me. I was clothes on Monday, Towels on Tuesday, bedding on Fridays.

Answer 2

Consider what 'needs' to be laundered EVERY time it is worn.

The scout uniform, for example. Most boys wear the uniform for 2 hours, to a meeting held indoors, where nobody gets dirty or sweaty. Particularly if he is wearing an undershirt or t-shirt under the uniform shirt, it could be washed every 3 or 4 wearings.

While I agree that sheets need to be washed regularly, unless you have pets that sleep on the bed, you probably don't need to wash comforters and blankets quite so often. An alternative is to use a duvet cover (like a giant pillowcase) over the comforter. You can wash and dry it much more easily than the comforter itself.

Consider the rest of the clothing, and how long things are worn. Many people keep a pair of jeans or sweats and a tshirt or sweatshirt that they wear after work/ school while lounging around the house. If you're not engaged in sweaty or dirty projects, it is absolutely OK to wear the same pair for a couple or a few evenings before washing. "Wash it on Saturday or when it stinks, whichever comes first."

Towels are tough, on one hand you say 'you were clean when you used it'... on the other you say 'but I used it to dry my behind and feet!'. How about washing them, instead of every single time, every 2nd use? Encourage the kids to wipe their hands on their own bathtowel instead of a hand towel (establish a color, or spot on the towel rod for each person) -- to reduce the number used.

As for actually getting laundry done...
1) SEPERATE - sort into like colors and textures
2) PREPARE - turn socks, shirts, pjs right side out (speeds drying and folding) Dark jeans and pants, tho, stay darker if washed inside out. Your choice! Use the mesh delicates bags for lingerie.
3) TIMER - set a timer or use the dryer buzzer to keep the machines rolling all the time until you are done. This prevents having things wrinkle in the dryer (requiring more fluffing) or getting stinky from sitting in the washer for hours or not being entirely dry in the dryer.
4) SORT - fold directly into laundry baskets for each family member, making put-away time easier.

Answer 3

Well, maybe it's time to set some "limits" clothing can be worn more than one time before it's officially "dirty" unless it has food, BO stains etc.. It can and should be all right to wear an item of clothing more than one time.. Over washing your clothing will make it wear out faster and may weaken the fabric/buttons etc...

Also, how old are your children..? Are you able to properly teach them to wash their own clothing.. ? I was around 10 yrs. when I started helping out with the laundry there were 7 of us living in the house and my parents both worked full time !

If you need a "system" I would do a load of laundry each night or each morning whenever you have available time.... Start by washing your hanging clothing on whatever day works for you.... Then wash child A, child B, husband and so on.... Bedding can be changed/washed on a weekly basis.... comforters and blankets don't need to be washed as often if you are using sheets.... OR take all comforters/blankets to the laundrymat and use the double capasity washer/dryers to save a bit of time....

I do one load of wash in the morning OR in the evening to keep up with everything.. .I have two toddlers/husband and myself.. I hang most of my clothing...

So, I like to wash white's in HOT first thing Monday morning and while that is drying I SOAK my clothing in woolite and when the whites are done I wash sheets/towels etc.... I to conserve energy only use one major appliance at a time and it saves roughly 1/2 of my electric.... However, if you just want to get it done... Then just keep the cycle going... Also, I only wash full loads.. good luck

Answer 4

My best tip is one laundry basket for each person in the household. Fold from the dryer directly into the appropriate basket.

As far as gathering and getting started, gather the laundry at the same time each day. If you have the room, sort it out daily. It can be done in the evenings after work, at least a couple of loads. Do only full loads. I think there is much less waste of water and detergents this way.

You really have to get a system started and get everyone to buy into that system. It takes a bit of time and discipline to get started and keep it going. Everyone has to pitch in. Those who are old enough can help, even if it is only sorting socks.

Don't give up and it will all work out.

Answer 5

I agree that you divide the responsibility among the family members. We have 4 kids and I was swamped with laundry. I couldn't keep up. One day I got mad and told my husband he had to do his own laundry! Everything went uphill from there. I gradually taught each kid how to wash their own clothes. Some chose to use the dryer and some chose to hang up the wet clothes. One son is a slob and leaves piles of clothes everywhere. I just buy another basket and toss the stuff in there. he has to sort thru and decide which was dirty and which was clean!

Answer 6

Well it depends how much clothes is your family putting on each day and what are you washing times? My Mother washes every time the bin gets full which is like every five or so days if you and your family are only wearing an outfit a day there should be no problem? tell me every detail and I could help you a little more.

Answer 7

All I can say is: Team Work!
Everyone should share the burden of doing their own wash loads. Nothing wrong with family members sharing the responsibilities of a collective group. Teach them young, and your life and their life will be better for it.

Answer 8

Mine was like that and I could never get caught up. So, I got mad one day and took everything to a laundry mat. It cost me about 40 bucks, but I got it all done! Blankets included. It was so nice to be caught up! It's gotten backed up alittle since, but I make sure I keep on top of it now. (We have 6 people.)

Answer 9

THE ARMY HAS THOUSANDS OF ITEMS IN THEIR LAUNDRY. EACH SOLDIER HAS HIS/HER INITIALS ON THEIR CLOTHING WITH A PERMANENT MARKER I BELIEVE !!! EVERYTHING !!! I WOULD HAVE CLOTHES LINE STRUNG UP OUTSIDE FROM TREE TO TREE ETC , THEN ON GOOD DRYING DAYS I'D HANG LOTS IF NOT ALL LAUNDRY ITEMS OUTSIDE OR IN A WARM BASEMENT . THE WEARERS OF THE LAUNDRY AND USERS SHOULD HAVE GOOD DISCIPLINE ABOUT PUTTING THEIR LAUNDRY IN ASSIGNED BASKETS ETC.FOR EXAMPLE ALL UNDERPANTS IN ONE BASKET, ALL SHIRTS IN ONE BASKET, ETC ETC ETC. INSTEAD OF TOSSING STUFF ALL OVER THE FLOOR ETC. EACH BASKET COULD HAVE A NAME ON IT PLUS INITIALS ON EACH ITEM.

Answer 10

No, not really. there all like that.