Ok... I have a fully functioning new washing machine and its fantastic. But I cant seem to keep up with the laundry... it is my enemy. I hate it. the more it appears, the more I hide. :( Anyway, do other mums struggle with this and if you do... whats your plan of attack and how do you manage it? a 2 1/2 and a 1 1/2 year old around my feet 90% of the day makes it interesting.
6 Replies
Firstly we only wash towels once a week. There is no need for a clean towel every bath or shower. Also we have washing baskets that are about the size of a load of washing, one for darks one for lights. That way I just grab a basket when it's full and chuck it in the machine (I usually check before breakfast). I never use the long wash cycle for normal washing just the cycle that takes about an hour. That way if I have to do 2 or more washes in a day it's on the line before lunch. Sheets get washed once a fortnight unless soiled. We don't iron in this house, such a waste of time, things that get creased go straight on a hanger so they don't need ironing.
We also don't put something in the wash if we only wore it a few hours. For example I have my trackies that I wear to do housework in, if I change to go out for an hour those going out clothes get re hung up because they are still clean.
Gym gear gets rinsed out in the shower and hung up to dry ready for the next visit.
I never wash unless I can fill the machine, unless it's my bras, otherwise it's a waste of water and time.
My mum used to do the same thing, except she had business shirts to manage so she made sure dad had 6 shirts so even if dad had a spillage before work she only washed his shirts once a week.
I wash every night and hang it under the awning even if it's only half a load I still do it or it just gets out of hand. I have a child that wets the bed so then often need to do another load in the morning before I go to work. I always hang my washing undercover unless I'm home as I hate clothes getting rained on. I then fold and out straight away before or after dinner and start again. Weekends I do an extra load or two of sheets/towels etc
I have four baskets in the laundry colours whites darks and linen. Then I have a schedule. Linen on Mondays colours on Tuesday and Thursdays whites on wed and darks in Friday :)
I don't iron everything that needs ironing come straight out the machine and gets hung up to dry. Everything we wear gets taken off and straight into the machine. I usually do a load every night, much to my mums horror I don't seperate whites :) I struggle with the folding and sorting part usually do it while the following load is going but I do fall behind and then it means a laundry day. Oh and I also do beds once a fortnight.
I have an awesome mother in law who comes to visit 3-4 a week and she does it LOL seriously love her!
I agree with not washing towels after every single use, pop them up to dry after use and they are ready to go next time
I'm a bit OCD and have 6 baskets in my laundry, one for darks, reds, orange/yellow, green, pink/white and one for towels (yes I'm mad haha). I wash the towels and most of the others once a week and the darks fills up so fast I find I have to wash once or twice a day, I have 6 kids so keeping up with washing is a daily challenge, I usually put on a load first thing in the morning and then while I'm bathing the kids at night I usually throw another load in then. It's a constant, tedious job