Laundry… just the thought of laundry used to make me want to cry! It was always piled up. Sometimes dirty and piled, sometimes clean and piled in a basket, sometimes clean, folded and piled on the table, and sometimes, if I was lucky, cleaned, folded and piled in the dresser.
I’ve spent the last six months trying to get my laundry drama under control. We started by making our laundry room more user friendly. Then I implemented a one load of laundry a day rule, which was great, but I had to add that it should be washed, dried, folded and put away. It seems simple, but I literally had to spell it out for myself to stay on track! No shame in that.
So with all my work in the laundry department, I’ve discovered some great tips that help me stay on track and be more efficient and tidy with my laundry.
Wash • Dry • Fold • Put Away
one load of laundry everyday. As I started before, this seems easy or like duh! But, I promise you, if you are not in the habit, this is a HUGE first step! I do this Monday through Friday and Saturday if I need to keep up.
Monday I wash any dish towels or miscellaneous items from the weekend.
Tuesday is kid clothes day.
Wednesday is mom’s clothes.
Thursday is kid clothes again and/or miscellaneous.
Friday is dad’s clothes and sheets day.
Saturday, I often wash items that need more care.
Do Not Over Stuff The Washer
This lesson may have been the most important one I learned. Before, I was always trying to wash as much as I possibly could. Cramming it all into the washer to get it done faster. WELL, my laundry didn’t always seem the freshest! I thought I had bad detergent, but nope, that wasn’t the case. I was just jamming the washer too full.
Have you ever opened the washer after a cycle is finished and as you loaded the clothes into the drier noticed that some clothes seemed barely wet or not even damp at all??? … Well… That means you’ve stuffed the washer too full and the clothes were not able to spin properly. So no water or soap even touched them. Oooppps! I have to admit, I’ve done this more times that I’d like to admit.
So now, I try to only fill the washer about 3/4 of the way full. This leaves plenty of room for tumbling and washing. It also makes folding easier because there is less to fold and put away at one time! Bonus!!!
Use a Good Detergent
I’ve tried a variety of detergents with varying results. My ultimate favorite is Norwex powder detergent. But let’s be honest. With three kids, that stuff is too expensive to use all the time. I’ve tried a few other natural products and have not had great luck.
I like Tide (not the pods, the regular liquid detergent), but it is also a bit pricey. I also like Arm and Hammer liquid detergent. However, I have been using with some success the Kirkland brand liquid detergent from Costco. It works well and is only about $11 for 3 months worth of detergent. That my friends, is a steal!
In addition to my detergent, I add a little white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. This helps to eliminate any detergent build up on our clothing. It is also supposed to keep the laundry softer, but in my humble opinion, the jury is still out on that one.
Soak and Treat Stains with OxiClean
OxiClean is awesome. There, I said it! It has saved so many of the kids’ clothes in particular. I have a small soak bin that I put a scoop of OxiClean into and then fill it with hot water to soak stain ridden clothing. I also make a paste out of OxiClean and a little bit of water, then apply that paste directly to the stain. I usually let my clothes soak or sit with paste for a day or two, then I wash them as usual. Most of the time the stain has vanished!
Use the Functions On Your Washing Machine
For a long time, I was just using the same function (casual) to wash all of my laundry. Then I realized… HELLO!!!! Why am I not using the whitest white setting from my whites and the bulky bedding setting for towels and sheets. These setting were programmed for a reason. I might as well use them.
Properly Maintain your Washer
If you have a front load washing machine, make sure to leave to door open when you are not using it. If you close it, it can quickly grow mold and become very smelly. Also, wipe out the seal often. I wipe it down with a cloth soaked in vinegar ever few month. Lastly, be sure to clean out and drain the drain pump filter. This is located on the front of your machine. I try to do this every six months or so. Especially since we have a dog! It will make a world of difference.
Here’s a link with a little more information on the drain pump filter.
These tips have helped me to have a cleaner more pleasant laundry experience. Do you have any life changing laundry tips? Share them in the comments. We’d all love to hear from you.
