Let me just put this out there - I hate to do laundry. Doesn’t everyone?

Sadly, laundry is one of those things that has to get done, and has to be done often. Add some kids, or perhaps a baby or two, and you may be living in the laundry room.

However, there are definitely some things that can be done to make the task easier – including involving the entire family in the process. Here is how I do the laundry for my family.

First off, there is a hamper in each bedroom so that the kids (and husband) know where to put their dirty clothes at the end of each day. (Putting them in a pile on the floor NEXT to the hamper doesn’t count, dearest Husband!)

Also, try to have set days to do the laundry – I definitely suggest at least twice a week, to make the laundry more manageable and a less daunting task.

Once everything is ready to go, here are some additional steps I take, to make the process easier:

• Separate clothes. Separate t-shirts from sweaters, and pants from underwear so that nothing gets missed.
• Separate colours. In the laundry room, separate the whites, darks and colors – I also always have a red/pink pile (the joys of having a girl).
• Turn-out clothes. Turn all the clothes right side out, including tops and socks – an annoying step, but will save tons of time in the folding stage.
• Alternate between dryer and line. Alternate loads between those that require the dryer and those that don’t, so that there is always a load in the dryer, while another is drying on the line outside, or on a rack inside.
• Involve the kids. After everything is dry, and ready to be sorted and folded, I have the kids help with the easier tasks – sorting and folding their underwear and PJs, and rolling their socks. It’s helpful, but more importantly, it teaches them responsibility and helps them understand how much time and effort it takes for Mommy to do the laundry each week. Appreciation is a beautiful thing.
• Get help. I also have four separate baskets, each labeled with our names, that once full, are put in each person’s bedroom, so that it can all be put away easily. The kids also help with this step as best as they can.

To do laundry can be painfully monotonous, yet a necessary process that cannot be avoided. However, with a little bit of organization and family involvement, the laundry process can run efficiently and smoothly.