Laundry

I don't think anyone likes to do laundry, I know no-one in my family does. Here are some ways to reduce the chore to a more manageable level.

• Have each person bring their hamper/laundry basket to the laundry room as soon as it's close to full.
• Have four baskets in the laundry room, one for clean (should be empty most if not all the time), one for dirty whites, one for dirty colors, and one for delicates.
• When possible, sort the laundry into whites and colors when you bring it in to the room.
• You can leave the lid up on the washing machine, and put whites in there, instead of into a basket, until it's full, then run it - it's usually easy for people to decide that something is white, if they have trouble deciding, put it in the colors basket. Everyone should know that if the lid is down, the whites go in the basket, not the tub.
• When the tub is full, then start putting whites in the whites basket.
• If you are going to be around long enough to finish the load - wash and dry - then you can start the machine as soon as it's full.
• If the amount of soap to use is not one scoop, then prepare it in advance so that anyone can put the soap in without know a whole lot about washing.
• Don't put colors into the washing machine until you have a full load. Otherwise someone might put whites in a colors load (this is less dangerous than colors in a white load, but the whites might not get completely clean)
• Be sure the temperature and size settings are always set for whites so that all someone has to do is dump in the soap, close the lid, and press start. Again, don't leave the washing machine lid up when you've got colors in their.
• Write down simple instructions so anyone can follow them:
  • Lid up, whites in tub until full
  • Lid down, whites in basket
  • Tub full, whites in basket
  • Tub full, put in soap, close lid, press start
• Fold the clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer, makes the task less daunting.

Another thing you can do, but it requires a little more thought on those loading the machine, and a little more space, is to only put into the machine clothes from one person - each person has their own two baskets, one for colors, one for whites. The instructions have to include setting the machine for the right size and temperature. This way, when the load comes out of the dryer, it doesn't have to be sorted, just delivered to the right person. That person can even be responsible for folding their own clothes.

More organization tips

• Lists Setting up a calendar and lists to assist in the organization process.
• Message Center Setting up a central place for messages and important information.
• Are you organized? A quick quiz to find out how organized you are, and how much you can do to make yourself more organized.
• Make your own organizer Making your own organizer to track tasks and dates.
• Telephone tips Ways to save time and frustration with the telephone.
• Errands and appointments Making the most out of errands and appointments.
• Using short periods wisely What to do when you only have a few minutes.
• Mail How to handle mail efficiently.
• Housework Make housework more productive and effective.
• Company Preparing for, and entertaining, company.
• Company Kit Setting up a kit for when company arrives on short notice.
• Each evening Preparing for the following day.
• Simple tidying Life can be easier if you set up areas for situations, tyding up the whole house.
• Laundry Ways to save time and money with the laundry.
• Distributing the Burden You don't have to do it all yourself, you can share the load.
• Delegation How to delegate effectively.
• Child's room Keeping your kid's rooms tidy.
• Storage Where to put things.
• Pack rat How to avoid being a pack rat.
• Messy Closet Cleaning out a messy closet.
• Garage Sale How to have a successful garage sale.
• Moving Sorting through your stuff for a move.
• Prevention Some ideas to prevent cleaning chores.
• Odds and ends How to deal with odds and ends that just kind of show up to clutter a room.
• Organizing Your Home Basics of organization.

Visitor Comments

Related Links