Comments on: Finding a Laundry System That Works for You

By: Prairie Chick

Prairie Chick — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:53:47 +0000

my dream has always been to have a family closet, but it is not going to happen in this house. My laundry room is also off my kitchen, and I love that. I have tamed the laundry monster in different ways at different times, but right now what is TOTALLY working for me is just making sure that i follow through on ONE load before I get to start the second one. Because we are 7 people in this family I can’t let it slide, I need to get the first load through and put away and start on the next one. I have a transit basket, that I fold clothes into, and carry around to put away. Every person has a basket in their room (dh and I have two) so that each load contains only ONE person’s laundry, (I also have a linen basket in the landing upstairs, and a downstairs basket in the bathroom) which makes put away so much easier. When I have folded a load and am ready to put it away, I start the water running for my next load (no front end loader here yet), take my transit basket, put away the current load, move to the next family member’s room and dump their clothes into the transit basket and take them immediately to the washer.

It makes me so happy to only be dealing with one load at a time and not have a load in the washer, a load in the dryer, a couple of loads waiting to be put away and more waiting to be folded. UGH
Prairie Chick´s last blog ..Laundry Love

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:17:50 +0000

Thanks Mandi! This was a great segment. I love the idea of a family closet. We actually do something similar, except I use two 5-shelf utility storage units. The first unit is used for the family and each person has their own shelf and then the second unit is used for sheets, towels, blankets, etc. I fold and put the clothes on the shelves until they’re too full, at which point I take the clothes up to our closets. You’re so right about the laundry room on the first floor. My laundry room is in the basement and it is such a pain to go up and down all day – but if I don’t, it really piles up! And I have to get better about folding right out of the dryer – very good tip – because once my “clean” pile starts to build on my folding table, it becomes overwhelming. Oh well, I try! Thanks again for giving us a peek into what works for you – very helpful.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:57:44 +0000

I have a basket full of unfolded laundry sitting in my room from last week… It happens all to often, so I try to get in the habit of dumping it on my couch which forces me to fold it…and I can watch tv, so it makes it less painful. But you are right…laundry baskets = procrastination!
Shannon´s last blog ..Christmas Pretties From Etsy

By: Nancy Giehl

Nancy Giehl — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:13:00 +0000

A family closet is such a great idea! When kids are little it makes such perfect sense to have all their clothes in one place. I wish I had thought of it when my kids were young.

Over the years my family laundry process changed significantly but some things remain constant. One is washing and folding loads based on the reverse order of how I put them away. For example, like Mandi, I always wash jeans, pants and darks first, then colors, then whites (underwear).

I know some people prefer doing daily loads but I always wanted it over and done with so when my kids were little I did laundry twice a week. When they got older I switched to once a week. It meant a long day of laundry but I liked not having to think about it again for another week.

Getting started the night before is very useful. I discovered my washing machine has a delayed wash feature so I put in a load at bedtime and time it to run early in the morning. It gives me a jump start on the job.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:23:41 +0000

Thanks for this! I see some tips I am already using and other great ideas. It was fun to see you and your ADORABLE girls!

By: Marcia Francois from Organising Queen

Marcia Francois from Organising Queen — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:22:40 +0000

I just blogged on this last week.

Here are my tips
http://organisingtips.blogspot.com/2009/11/keeping-up-with-my-most-hated-chore.html

And seriously, I hate hate HATE doing laundry so it’s got to be as easy as possible

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:00:50 +0000

I agree. I would love to see your family closet. I have my laundry room in the basement, so I’m not sure how it would work, but I’ve been thinking about trying it for awhile. Do you and your husband have your clothes there, too?
Jennifer´s last blog .."I Need Thee Ev’ry Hour"

By: Catie

Catie — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:44:10 +0000

This was great! I’m thinking I need to change a few of the things I’m doing. Thanks!
Catie´s last blog ..Jewelry Giveaway

By: Jackie @ Lilolu

Jackie @ Lilolu — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:21:11 +0000

We just moved to a house with the laundry room in the basement. My laundry monster is getting huge! The house we moved from had the laundry room on the second level. This was also where all the bedrooms were. It was just heaven…I really miss my old house.
Jackie @ Lilolu´s last blog ..New "Cook Yourself Thin" Recipes

By: RLR

RLR — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:36:54 +0000

I really like the idea of a family closet! Our laundry is upstairs – a switch from our previous house that I *thought* would be an improvement. I thought that not dragging laundry up and down the stairs would make it easier to get it all done. NOT the case. I long for a downstairs laundry room since the rest of the day’s activity happens on the lower level.
Enjoyed the vlog – and your sweet little girls!
RLR´s last blog ..Thursday Thanks #24