[pinit]
In theory, laundry is pretty simple task.
Separate the darks from the lights, delicates from the towels.
Put a load in the washing machine.
Turn it on.
Forget about it.
Transfer to the dryer.
Wait a couple of days. Oh wait, you probably don’t do that last step! :)
Or maybe you do. Why? Because up to this point, doing laundry isn’t that difficult. But when the machines are finished working their magic, we have to put a little effort in to finish the job. Why oh WHY is folding clothes and hanging them up such a chore?
Well, I have a theory about this.
How many times have you started to fold a load of laundry but got frustrated because everything was inside out? What could be a 5 minute job takes 10 minutes because you have to do double the work. Granted, turning a piece of clothing right side out only takes a few seconds, but multiply that by an entire basket and it adds up.
But we can simplify laundry folding with one easy step: Turn clothes right side out BEFORE washing and BEFORE putting in the clothes hamper. Then, teach your family to do the same!
With the exception of delicate or expensive clothing, there are so many items that can be easily washed right side out: socks, t-shirts/undershirts, and especially children’s clothing. Those few extra seconds spread throughout the week make for a easier, simpler laundry folding routine.
What tips do you have for simplifying your laundry routine?
iDreamOfClean
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I turn things right side out before I wash them, but sometimes they still come out inside out. I haven’t been able to figure out how it happens, but somewhere between going in the washer and coming out of the dryer, half of the clothes turned right side out come out inside out again! It’s a frustrating mystery . . .
I always put my clothes in the hamper and washer right side out, but I have the same problem as Kelly H. with some things coming out wrong side out, especially my underwear! I’ve been wanting to try an experiment of taking off my underwear wrong side out and putting it in the washer that way just to see if they will then come out right side out. I’ve got nothing to lose! :)
I built an open storage cabinet for the laundry baskets (thanks, Pinterest!). Now my laundry is already pre-sorted. I can see at a glance when I have enough of darks, lights or clolors to make a load.
I don’t sort laundry. Ever. Haven’t for years. Saves a whole bunch of time.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t sort laundry. The only exception is if I need to bleach something and I usually separate anything such as flannel, fleece etc. I wash those together to keep them soft. Btw just stumbled here from pinterest and I’m absolutely loving it all; very useful for a recovering slob!
I don’t turn things right side out because, like Kelly said, sometimes they still end up wrong side out.
One of the best things we can do to simplify laundry is not to do more than we can finish. If you can’t finish – that means wash, dry, fold & put away – wait until you can. Of course, if you’re not ever going to have time, then you have to do what you have to do. But I’ve been limiting myself to one load per day lately because that’s all I can handle. I HATE having laundry sitting in the laundry room. I used to do 3 loads on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. I haven’t been able to do that for a while so it’s usually one load most days. Yesterday I was lucky and did 3 loads from start to finish. It felt great hanging up those last clothes & knowing everything was completely done!
My best strategy is to start the washer & set the timer. As soon as it’s done, switch to the dryer and set the timer. When the timer goes off, go get it, fold & hang and put it away. Then it’s done. Do it now!!!
I’ve timed how long it takes to fold & put away 3 loads of laundry and it’s only about 6 or 7 minutes. I always think it will take longer than that.
But as far as your inside out thing, if that keeps you from getting it done, then do what it takes to make it easier. Everybody has their “thing”. Recognizing it and fixing it is half the battle!
As I type this, my 5 yo is standing on the chair behind me putting a silly putty necklace around my neck…
Anyway, I will try this tip, thanks. Honestly, I hate folding clothes, so removing impediments to folding is a good idea.
I tie a stain stick to each laundry hamper (there’s one in every full bathroom) so my family always pre-treats their own stains.
As for washing things right-side out… I don’t. On purpose. Jeans, printed t-shirts and other fabrics with designs printed only on the outside will age poorly if washed right-side out. As annoying as it is, leave them inside out if you want their designs to last longer. :)
It’s a good idea…except I actually am trying to get people to turn their jeans inside out before washing because it keeps dark jeans nicer longer and it makes it easier to check the pockets (those thin pockets on most pants are easy to see items in if you turn them inside out).
I put in a load before work on Tuesday-Thursday. It’s not a huge load so I don’t have to worry about it getting rowdy while I’m gone. Throw it into the dryer after work and by the time we’re done with dinner my husband gets the choice of dishes or folding the laundry. It works like a charm.
I try to best to a once-a-week- laundry system where I do all the laundry, folding, and putting away in one day. That way I know all the clothes are clean and in my dresser or they’re dirty and in the hamper until next week. However – now with kid #3, I can’t quite get it all done in one day – and it seems that i need clothes more often than once a week now.
- I really need to follow the rule of turning clothes right side out! I’m the main culprit in our house!