Organization of laundry is important if you want to avoid those daunting mountains of dirty clothes, or the just-as-daunting piles of clean clothes waiting to be folded and put away.
Laundry is one of those tasks that never goes away – it’s a constant chore that must be repeated over and over. In most households with babies or small kids, it needs to be done at least once a day. If you don’t organize laundry, it can quickly spiral out of control and leave you with several hours’ worth of work.
Three Basic Tips for Laundry Organization
1. Sort. Organization of laundry starts with sorting, and sorting is ideally done not by emptying out a huge laundry basket and sorting its content, but by placing the items in the proper baskets in the first place. Designate a basket for whites, one for colors, one for linens and towels and one for items that need special treatment such as spot treatment or repairs. You should also have separate baskets for items that require dry cleaning or hand washing. Explain your system to family members and ask them to cooperate.
2. You can either create a laundry schedule, such as “one load each night” or “Wednesday is laundry day – five loads are done throughout the day.” Or you can simply wash the contents of each hamper as it becomes full.
3. Make sure you have everything you need. Most of us aren’t lucky enough to have a big, bright laundry room, but whatever you have to work with, make it as convenient as possible. You need a shelf above the washer and dryer stocked with detergent, softener if you use it and stain remover. Ideally, you should also have an ironing board and a freestanding drying rack with clothespins.
Organization of laundry is important because it streamlines a task that can otherwise become a constant source of stress. Take some time to plan your laundry routine and to organize your laundry space. It’s a small investment of time and money that can make a big difference.
Image by: mark lorch