Make Laundry Easier: Stop Doing These 7 Things

Laundry is the chore I dread because there are the most steps: sorting, stain fighting, washing, softening, drying, folding, and putting away.  In my quest to make this chore easier for me, I’ve come up with seven ways I could change my laundry-doing habit to make it a little less painful.

1. Don’t Sort.

   Traditional wisdom says you should sort laundry by color to prevent white lint on black clothes or color bleeds.  So, be radical and wash everything together (regardless of color).  I do this with my kids clothes.  Wash by owner, based on what’s in their individual hamper.  I sort into baby girl, soccer boy, hubby, and mine.

2. Don’t Iron.

   Your first line of defense is to avoid purchasing clothes that require ironing.  Since ironing smooths out wrinkles, prevent them from happening.  Take clothes out of the dryer promptly.  Use Downy Wrinkle Releaser.  The website says it relaxes fabric and adds a light fragrance.

3. Don’t Fold.

   We fold clothes to organize them and prevent wrinkles.  Instead, hang them directly onto hangers and put them away.  Or, have the owner fold them as soon as they come out of the dryer.

4. Don’t Put Them Away.

   Have the owner put them away.  An added benefit is this will prevent the need for going to the laundry room every morning to get clothes to wear.

5. Don’t Treat Stains Individually.

   First, you have to determine the type of stain, then you spray, then you have to let the solution sit.  If you’re not completely certain you have completely removed the stain, you can’t put it in dryer.  Use Tide Boost.  The site says this additive removes “ketchup, strawberry jelly, chocolate and grass stains” the first time.  However, if you really must treat them, consult the Purex Laundry Stain Removal Guide .

6. Don’t Use Dryer Sheets.

   Dryer sheets are made to soften, freshen, and prevent static cling.  I use the Bounce Dryer Bar.  Depending on the variety chosen, these last 2-6 months.  I personally use one since we have an older dryer and the dryer sheets kept falling into the lint catcher during the drying cycle and never seemed to have the chance to work on the clothes.  I have been extremely satisfied with the dryer bar, as it’s one less thing I have to remember to add.

7. Don’t Do It…At All.

   Mom doesn’t have to be responsible for laundry.  As Jessica Fisher says, the kids can do laundry.  Hire a helper or service.  Delegate to hubby…and accept how he does it :).

Since a load of laundry can take one to one and a half hours from start to finish, the decision to cut out these seven tasks will give you some extra time each week.

Photo Credit Joel Kramer via cc

How do you make your laundry tasks easier?