Love Your Laundry
by Robin Harisis
Does this statement make you question my sanity? Well, it shouldn’t. You just might feel the same after you finish reading these laundry tips.
The basic theme to simplifying laundry is to find ways to streamline your laundry process. Laundry is a multi-step process, which is why it becomes such a burden for some people. By my count, there are 5 steps to the process.
- Sort
- Wash
- Dry
- Fold
- Put Away
When streamlined, each of these steps only require short bursts of time, perhaps 5 or 10 minutes. This allows you to work it into your busy day more easily. A task that requires 5 minutes of your time, instead of 20, is much easier to accomplish.
Here are some tips to streamline laundry, making it more manageable and maybe more fun:
Simplify the sort: Sorting takes time and energy not only with the actual task of sorting, but also in the time it takes to wash and dry each individual load. Stick to a few categories (dark and lights or by person) and cut your wash time in half. [Click here for a link to a handy printable laundry flowchart.]
Make a laundry routine: Creating a routine for re-occurring tasks helps to keep things running smoothly. Finding the right laundry routine for you is key in fighting laundry build-up. Throw a load in daily or pick a laundry day. Tie the different laundry steps to actions you already do. Throw a load in as you wait for your coffee to brew in the morning. Switch the clothes to the dryer as you make lunch/dinner. Fold while you chat with your spouse in the evening.
T-E-A-M: Get your family on the laundry team. Find ways to involve everyone in the task. That way, the chore doesn’t fall on one person and become a burden. Older children can learn to wash their own clothes. Even the youngest member of the family can help match socks and put clothes in a dryer.
Laundry Task Chart By Age
|
Age |
Task |
|
2- 3 years |
Put clothes in hamper or laundry basket |
|
4-5 years |
Match socks Put clothes in washer or dryer |
|
6-7 years |
Fold clothes (depending on individual ability) Put clothes away Carry clothes to washer and dryer |
|
8 to adulthood |
Do own laundry from start to finish |
Looking for a way to make laundry fun for your kids? A super cute hamper can make all the difference! Check out this canvas laundry tote by Whitmor, which offers some great organization products. Not only does the tote look great holding dirty laundry, the sturdy handles make it easy for any child to carry it to the laundry room. No transferring clothes to a laundry basket from the hamper! A great way to streamline part of the laundry process!
So go wash those clothes, streamline your process, and shout your admiration for laundry! If you don’t feel like shouting, I would settle for a satisfied smile and clean clothes.
©2016 Robin Harisis
Robin Harisis is a former professional organizer, mother of two and Customer Care Representatative at KidsOutAndAbout in Rochester, NY. She loves laundry and understands how crazy that sounds.Find more organizational and productivity ideas from Robin here.