For most women, washing one or two loads of laundry each day of the week will keep the pile down to a reasonable minimum. I know some women prefer to wash all of the laundry on a certain day of the week and if this works for you, great!
I generally suggest you add laundry chores into your daily plan of action. In the morning, start a load in the wash. As soon as it has completed, start another and switch the wet load into the dryer or hang on the line. Then, as soon as that load has washed and dried, switch it again and fold the dry clothes immediately.
Doing the laundry is a time-consuming chore especially if you have a large family. But, don’t despair! There are ways to lighten your ‘load’ (of laundry). Here are two organizing philosophies that will help manage your time while you fluff and fold.
Break it Down
Break a huge task into many mini-tasks is a philosophy most organizers use when approaching any large organizing project. Below are the steps or ‘mini-tasks’ often taken when ‘doing the laundry.’
1. Collect dirty clothes and bring to laundry area
2. Sort if they haven’t been sorted already—whites, colors, sheets/towels, etc.
3. Put a load in the washer
4. When done, place wet items in dryer (or hang on the line)
5. Take items out of dryer (or off the line)
6. Fold items (inventory and discard items you will no longer, have been outgrown, or worn out)
7. Place folded laundry back in closets or drawers
1. Teach your children to place dirty clothes into a basket or hamper as soon as they take them off.
2. Teach your family members to fold their socks together so that they go into the washing machine at the same time. Just be sure to un-fold them before you throw them in.
3. Treat stains immediately—or as soon as possible. Also, check to be sure stains were removed before you put the clothes into the dryer to prevent stains from becoming set.
4. Don’t over-stuff the washing machine. Clothes need adequate space to move around to get clean.
- Listen to this morning’s worship song and then answer the questions below.
Questions:
- How often do you wash laundry? How many people do you have in your home?
- What’s your biggest frustration with laundry?