Mar. 2, 2007 - Tackling Laundry
I see many comments on blogs refer to "the laundry" which led me to post about it. If there's one chore that I think we've got a handle on it's Laundry. Please don't think I'm some super-duper, cleaning machine that cleans on a schedule and has a place for everything! I have much to work on in the Homekeeping Department but I do want to share our system for "Laundry for 6", it works for us and maybe you can get an idea or two that will work for you too!
STEP ONE IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS!
1. Set up hampers for each color/clothes type.
We no longer have a hamper in each bedroom. Too much time wasted sorting out clothes - besides I hate picking through other people's laundry! Sooo, we have 3 hampers and a clothes basket (I need to get another hamper!) in our upstairs hallway. One for whites, one for colors, one for reds & pinks (the color tends to bleed so they get washed separate) and the clothes basket is for wet towels/washcloths.
Dirty clothes get tossed into the correct hamper (they really do, even 3 year olds can figure this out!) and
ta da!.... no more sorting dirty clothes! Half the battle is done, just carry the hamper to the laundry room and dump it in the washer. Better yet, have kid do that. I have traded a neat and tidy upstairs hallway for "Hamper Row" but streamlining the whole laundry process has been the payoff.
2. Start a load of wash every morning.
If I waited for "laundry day" I would be dreading it. We have eased the burden of laundry by just washing one load per day, and on a "slow" day I can often throw in a second load. Starting one load of laundry each morning is a habit well worth making. (PS. We take Sunday "off")
3. Lunchtime is your cue to throw that 1st load in the dryer.
If you (or your laundry helper) hasn't remembered to dry your load of laundry by lunch, then this is the time to do it. Set a timer for yourself at first but later this will also become routine. Perhaps you have another "trigger" you can use to remember to do this task such as baby's naptime, or clean up time, etc.... If you dry your clothes on the line -- more power to you!
4. Remove that load as soon as it's done.
When the dryer goes off, make every effort to take that load out (remember its the only one you have to do today!) and fold it before it gets all wrinkly. Try and give this job to an older child. Have them bring the laundry to wear you want it folded. I don't know why but we always fold laundry in our family room. I guess so we can have a comfortable seat and continue on with the day while it's being folded. I can still give someone math help or watch the toddler or just keep an eye on things while completing this job.
5. When the load is folded you place it in the basket and you, or your helper, deliver it to its appropriate spot.
OK. realistically, the clothes are not always put away immediately after they are folded. Sometimes the basket gets placed at the foot of the stairs and the next time I (or a big kid) goes up it gets "delivered". Any child capable of taking care of his/her own clothes gets a clean pile on their bed to be put away. The toddler's clothes get set on top of the dresser so that if he is playing in his room before I get a chance to put his clothes away he doesn't unfold all his clean clothes.
THERE! Now the basket is empty! and that feels good.
HERE's THE SECOND SECRET!!!
6. Enlist help!
Age 2 and up can put their own clothes in the hamper. Age 3 and up can help put clothes from the washer to the dryer and (especially for this age) be a Laundry Deliverer. This person takes clean and folded clothes from the basket and places on the owner's bed. Age 4 and up can fold washcloths & small towels. Age 5 - 7 can fold big towels nicely and sort socks. They can also take their clean clothes and put them in their own drawers. Age 8 and up can remove laundry from washer and put in dryer alone (might need a step stool and maybe a younger sibling to hand the wet clothes too) and be taught to set the dryer appropriately. Age 10 and up can start loads of laundry independantly (remember, it's already pre-sorted!) or get the dry laundry out and start folding. Any teen can take care of this whole process if needed.
Training a child to do a few of these steps might take a while at first but it will pay off for you in long run.
