I can't keep up with my washing. Am so ashamed.

[Conspiracy3]

Firstly I have really bad depression. Anxiety. Other mental health issues at play (personality disorder)

Family of 7.

Ive tried today to sort it and I have about 12 baskets of washing to do.

I'm sat here crying my eyes out. I just can't do it.

Even when I have a huge sort out it just piles up again.

The kids SEEM to have too many clothes but then the older ones have a growth spurt and need more and stuff gets passed down.

There's bags and baskets of washing everywhere.
I don't drive so can't go laundrette.

I just want to have a bonfire and burn it all and be nudists

I'm so embarrassed. So ashamed.

I just can't keep on top of it

I don't know why I'm posting. I'm just sad and need to tell SOMEONE.
I can't literally air my dirty laundry to family. Am too ashamed.

Hoe many kids and how old?

First of all it's washing. Second, go and make a cup of tea. Third. Do you have a washing machine and tumble dryer?

Have you got a washing machine?

I find as a family of 4 that I make the effort to do 1 load of washing a day. If I find myself with lots of washing I put an extra line up outside and do 3 loads a day till it's gone. Also I make sure the kids don't have too many clothes because then u think I haven't gotta wash stuff they have pods of clean. It streamlines the process cause u have to wash everyday then

Right well you dont have to do all 12.

Surely 12 has been piling up for a few days. Just do 1 or 2 loads a day.

If the kids are older they do some. Do you have a partner or husband? Even if he works he can do one on a weekend.

Don't look at it as a huge problem. Try and take it in small chunks.

Does anywhere near you do a service wash? My local laundrette has just picked up my quilt and will drop it off later, all washed and done. You’ll have to pay a few quid but it would break the back of it so you can try and keep on top moving forwards.

Oh dear. So sorry you are struggling with this.
We are a family of four and I struggle with the washing.
Couple of suggestions:
1.could you get a second washing machine?

1. Who helps with the washing? If it’s just you that’s a massive job in your own.
2. Pick a category and start loading the washing machine when you find an item in that category
3. It’s ok. It’s just washing.
4. I hope you feel better soon.

Do you have a partner and how old are your children? You need to get anyone old enough to pitch in. Start with one load and just take it slowly. No other options. When the clothes are dry, get someone else to fold and sort them into piles and get each person to put aside anything that doesn’t fit or isn’t any good.

It’s very warm where I am so if you’re also having an early summer, bag up anything for colder weather and donate it or store it for younger ones.

You’ve got 12 loads now but you won’t have next time.

You sound like you’re really struggling so Have you got support from your GP, on ADs, if not can you get a phone appointment and explain how bad you’re feeling and see what might help?

Mine's terrible too OP. Listen, set yourself a target to do one load a day. Put some of each person's stuff in to begin with so they don't run out (or stay run out for too long). It will all get done that way in the end. One load a day. You can do that.

There were 7 of us when I was a kid. Washing was hell. Op, do you have a washing machine & a washing line?

Put the first load (colours) on quickwash now. Don’t worry about drying it, Get it through and out into the sunshine, put the second lot on to wash.
Then put a 3rd lot on this evening.

Then forget about it until tomorrow.

Sorry I see there's seven. Could older kids do their own? Encourage less changing if clothes. Get them to help sort as a game and put away.

If you have a drier use it!!

Also depending on age of child they can be responsible for putting their clean washing away. I fold and put in their washing basket and it’s their responsibility to put it away.
I’ve also stopped turning socks the right way round and taking pants out of trousers. I just pile them up be if they don’t do it when I ask then they don’t have any clean socks or pants.

Yes I have a washing machine and 2 dryers.
That's the problem. Like needing to do one a day.
Most days I can just about keep on top of dishes and feeding everyone.

I'm not organised enough

Kids are old enough to help and do in many ways but washing is down to me

Do you have a washing machine? How old are your children? I loved helping my mum with the washing when I was younger, and even if they aren't keen to help, if they are old enough then they should. Please don't feel ashamed, it's just fabric, and it can be really bloody hard dealing with MH, especially at the moment, so be kind to yourself. If you don't have a washing machine, can you buy some travel washing powder and do it in the bath?

Just read your update, no reason it should be down to you, get them to help.

I

A pick up service would cost a fortune wouldn't it?

I know a family of 7 who have a washing machine and 2 dryers as in the winter they can't keep on top of the drying otherwise. It isn't just you! Get a load in - mixed load and have a cuppa. It is gorgeous weather, you can probably get 2 loads done today (assuming you have a washing line - do you?)

Have you got a washing line? It’s lovely today and will dry in no time. 1 load in on a quick wash, put it on the line and another load in.

And then you’re down to 10 loads. You can clear this.

We had 4 kids and mountains of washing so feeling your pain.

Sorting is the worst bit. Just bang on now. If you do 4 loads a day you’ll have done it all in 3 days.

Look at how many clothes your kids have and how much they are being worn before being washed: DS2 was changing out of school uniform, wearing something for a couple of hours then sticking it in the wash. He was wearing clean PJs every night.

Something I found really helpful was having 4 washing baskets on the landing: blacks, whites, coloureds and things that needed gentle washing. People sorted their own washing into the baskets (even little kids can do that) and as soon as one was full it went in the machine. Older kids can easily chuck a wash in the machine. Clean washing got sorted into piles on the landing and everyone capable put their clothes away (I spent some time ordering their drawers making sure putting away was easy). I did minimal (basically none) ironing.

Don't try to do it all at once, just aim to do a couple a day and you'll soon get on top of it. If I had 12 loads of washing there would be no clothes in my children's wardrobes! Don't feel you have to pass on clothes on from the older ones, don't be afraid to pass stuff on to other families /charity shops.

I have 2 dryers because one broke. I bought a new one and turns out original was just waterlogged and needed to dry out. Its been fine since.

Pick up service is £12 for a small load upto 6kg

It's £3 per 6kg DIY.

I might get a taxi down. I have so much though. What will they think

Washing really gets to me too, and when I’m feeling rough/slow/anxious it’s the first thing that falls behind and then it makes me feel even worse because there is clothes bloody everywhere. I’ve got 4 kids so when at school and I’m working we all have uniforms and normal clothes. Younger son has sen and soils/wets bed etc so bedding everyday and normal bedding towels etc it’s all a lot.

But don’t feel bad sometimes something has to give.
Priorities what you need to wash in the next couple of days do you have drying space?..I’ve managed to get stuff out on the line so quicker to dry but also stuff indoors drying fast due to heat. Do what you can today then bag the rest up and do what you can each day and don’t beat yourself up, it’s washing it’s not urgent as long as you’ve got a couple of days for everyone and towels.

Lastly phone your gp, I’m struggling just now too, trying to work, homeschool and be stuck indoors is really hard without already suffering from anxiety etc, hard going for you but try to get some help speak to someone a friend or your mum? Have you got a partner who can help out, big families are hard work, 6 of us and it never stops I feel like the maid some days
Take care of yourself op

Yes it's the sorting it.

House is Tiny. Not even any room on landing for baskets. I'll have to try and sort some kind of system

When it come sout of the dryer it just gets thrown on kitchen counters and kids pick clothes from there