Laundry, everybody's favorite chore to love to hate!
I was asked to participate in a discussion about laundry as a part of the Life Well Lived: Getting Organized series on Blogher.com. The question was, "How do you tackle the laundry mountain?"
Oh yes, the laundry mountain, it's something that I climb on a regular basis! I've talked about laundry a few different times on this blog, (and if you're new here now you're really realizing what kind of fun we have around here)! Even though my process is still evolving, I think I've finally figured a few things out.
My family is constantly changing their clothes...all over the house. I have no idea why- but if you were to ring my doorbell unexpectedly, there's a good chance that someone in this house would be in a state of semi-undress. So- I keep laundry baskets upstairs near where the kiddos get undressed at night, and several baskets in the main floor laundry closet, near where people randomly change their clothes throughout the day. Having the laundry actually end up in a basket helps me to see how often the laundry needs to be done. Which leads me to #2...
#2) Start the day out right- with a load of laundry
I do laundry almost every single day. I've found the way to keep it from becoming a mountain is to attack it while it's still a molehill. So almost every morning while the kids are watching their morning cartoons I grab one of the laundry baskets and throw a load of wash in. It's usually ready to be moved to the dryer before we leave the house for preschool, and then it's ready to be folded by the time we return later for lunch.
#3) Multi-task for fun
I hate ironing. But I do love me some trashy reality TV and quiet alone time. So- when I get a chance to steal some quiet moments away (in my room, TV on, door shut), I don't even mind that I need to multi-task by ironing a few shirts. I tell my husband that the kids need to leave me alone because I'm ironing and I don't want anyone tripping over the cord, bashing into the board, and burning themselves...but really it's because I need to be able to hear what Tyra thinks about that photo on ANTM.
I also tend to laundry tasks during little bits of time that would otherwise go to waste. So once the hair is washed and the bums are scrubbed, I'll put away laundry while the kids finish up their baths.
#4) Motivate with style
It's probably a terrible habit to get into, but I find that if I give a room a tiny little makeover, it motivates me to keep the room tidier so that I can admire my hard work. And I have to tell you- it's totally working in my laundry room. I HATE to see stuff pile up in front of those pretty blue walls...so I try to keep the laundry from piling up at all costs.
So tell me, how do you climb the laundry mountain? Share in the comments here- and pop over to Blogher to add to the discussion there as well.
AND, while you're there, you might as well enter to win $250 by sharing a moment from your day that defines "Life Well Lived"
So tell me, how do you climb the laundry mountain? Share in the comments here- and pop over to Blogher to add to the discussion there as well.
AND, while you're there, you might as well enter to win $250 by sharing a moment from your day that defines "Life Well Lived"
Piles of laundry is my pet peeve, so I am actually one of those people who don't mind doing laundry... I know, shocking... anyhoot... a few things that have made my life easier is buying laundry wash balls (called Green Wash Balls - they last for 1000 washes!!) and I have dryer balls (Nellie's Dryer Balls). I use white vinegar & essential oil drops for my rinse cycle. Sorting is ALL colored clothing (unless it's brand new then it goes in a load of towels first), whites & towels.
ReplyDeleteI sorted my clothes before - colored, darks & whites (towels went in with the color loads they matched). But for some unknown reason, putting ALL colors in one load seems to make it go faster.
I have labeled, stacking laundry baskets on top of the washer & dryer (there are 4 of us), Laundry is folded or hung up as soon as it comes out of the dryer. All of the Lego Kings pants & shirts are hung up as are mine. Princess & King Turd don't want theirs hung unless it's something that gets really wrinkley.
That's how I do.... oh... and we call it Mt. Wash-more..... lol
Great advice! Love your blog!
ReplyDeletewww.countingby4.blogspot.com
And then there is my house where I have been cutting back on the everyday laundry thought process and tackling the clothes 2 days a week Mondays and Fridays. Each of these kids own enough clothes to last them at least a week, so I am focusing on other things (like organizing the rest of the house) instead of dealing with the steady stream of laundry that is created by 8 people.
ReplyDeleteI just need to get in a better habit of folding as soon as I take a load out of the dryer - I spent over an hour this morning washing loads that went over the weekend, but never got folded - a busy life is oh so fun! Then the putting away always gets me - big kids do their own, but the littles and other randoms are kind of a pain.
Love the blue in your laundry room BTW.