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 struggle in winter with 5 of us.

However I really struggled when kids were young as we had the cheapest machine with small drum and quickest cycle was 3 hours. It was on constantly and broke after 12 months.

Finally got a 9 kg with really quick cycles made such a difference.

I'd suggest good habits - for someone maybe you maybe someone else- a load on at night and one in morning.

We use colour catcher sheets they work great - though I do try and pick out the whites it's not a problem if things are missed.

Anything needed I'd find and do first - easier if you have a line in this weather or drying will slow you down - it's why I back up every winter even with a tumbler drier and a heater drier and clothes horses.

In the winter I use a clothes rail along with the clothes horse and hang clothes up on hangers to dry. It means that I just hang the clothes from the rail straight into the wardrobe.

I also try to put clothes away as soon as they are dry rather than put them in a basket so it doesn’t mount up.

We also only do white/light and coloured So not as much sorting to do. The sun is awesome at bleaching stains out.

Actually the clothes rail looks like a good idea - the one with wheels so it can be moved out the way could make things easier Madasahattersteaparty1749 thanks .

Yes. Should add. I don’t iron anything. Pj’s generally only get changed halfway through the week. Towels And our bedding washed weekly (all the same load) and kids beds get washed fortnightly. Kids encouraged to wear same clothes (apart from underwear and socks) for as long as they are visibly clean and not smelly (usually 2-3 days, sometimes more in lockdown!) It all helps.

I’m with you on this Op! I suffer from depression and some days I just ‘sit’ - cant do anything, not even eat. Washing soon piles up.
When I feel better, I do towels first and put them out overnight in this warm weather (to get ‘darked on’😁) then by mid morning they’re dry and in, and away. Then undies, and important stuff - work clothes etc.. they also dry quickly. Get yourself a cheap washing line to string up as an extra, and some extra pegs, you will catch up quickly in the sunny weather. Agree with PP that bedding can wait while you catch up, just do the most needed bits first. Don’t worry, we all have our moments... So...cup of tea, make your plan, go for it🌹 And make the older kids do more... if not immediately, then certainly have a plan for them, once you’ve caught up with it all xx

Mum of 4 kids here, and we also had my nehpew living with me. I can tell how we cope.

13kg washing machine, 2 10kg tumble driers.

Everybody in the house has 4-6 seasonally appropriate outfits. So now my daughter is in t shirt and shorts and has another set clean, a summer dress, but also has 2 leggins, a short and long sleeved top and a hoody. Two nightgowns. One towel each, one set of bedding each. Every child has the equivalent. if we have hand me downs that are too big they get washed and put away in a bin bag in the loft.

Every 4-6 months I go out and buy 10 pairs of the same sock in each sizes. I prefer all one colour or all the same odd colours so that any socks make a pair providing they are the correct size. All socks and underwear ( 5 pairs each) go into a communal undy box. only I am allowed into the box.

Every morning I have an alarm to remind me to wash the previous days clothes and one set of bedding and a towel. In my 13kg washer that is very often ( especially in the summer) just one wash. Its pegged out, or tumbled across two driers if the weather is bad. I then have another alarm set to remind me to bring it in, fold it and put it away. I only put the washing on the dining room table , nowhere esle. Then I have to clean it so my kids can sit down and eat.

Every night I set the following days clothes out when the kids are asleep. I get their socks and undies, lay them out and then collect all the dirty washing. You could collect it and wash it right then if you know you have an extra load the next day , and wait to peg out or dry in the morning.

The best thing I ever learned was to use the ikea kids storage for their clothes, the plastic box ones. Night wear in one, t shirts and tops in another, and pants/skirts in another. You can easily store toys AND clothes for 4-5 kids across 4-5 tall units. or use a huge kallax with the pull out boxes.

Declutter and get rid of ANYTHING that you don't needs, stream line it as much as possible. For tidying up I have a washing up box for each bedroom/child and it gets put on the stairs in the day time. Anything that I find, toys, clean clothes, books etc goes into the boxes and the kids take them upstairs and put them away at 3.30pm.

My youngest is 11 now but all of my kids could use the washing machine by 10 and all knew how to peg out and fold by the same age. My hayfever is bad today so 3 of my kids have kids pegged out, dried and folded 3 loads of washing as we are having a big sort out and bedding wash while the weather is nice.

I know its hard OP. Im bipolar. I have struggled and been overwhelmed at times too. But it really helps for me to set digital alarms and reminders on my phone, write lists with a top, medium and low priority that must be done that day and even if there is ten things on the list, as long as I do one of each priortiy then its a good day.

I can't see how old your children are, but this is how I do it (currently 5 kids at home)

Each day is allocated to one child - youngest has Monday and then goes up in age. They have to bring their washing down first thing and (if old enough) put it in the machine. I will transfer it to the drier for them later in the day. The next day I get up, take the stuff out of the drier and fold it up, the next kid brings theirs down, Child 1 takes their clean clothes up up and puts it away.

On day 6 (sat) it's bedding. On day 7 (sun) I wash my clothes.

My children are old enough that if they don't do it, it waits until next week. There's one washing basket in each bedroom where dirty clothes go.

How often do they change their clothes? we don’t change ours unless they smell or are getting grubby we do have clean undies every day though. I find that people are obsessive with clean outfits often.

Colour catcher sheets are your friend. Also the quick wash setting.

Pay one of the big kids in sweets or something to work through the washing mountain over the next few days.

I'm sorry you are so down about this Op but once you get caught up,the simple thing is to just do less washing. Dont be obsessive about it. Towels can be used .more than once, clothes( barring underwear) the same. Only wash what is genuinely stained or soiled. I bet you can cut your workload in half!

We are a family of 6 and we have 2 kids with complex needs. Most days I have beds that need stripping and as both are in pads clothes that are urine soaked etc. The washing is crazy. I have a 9 kg washer that is often on half a dozen times a day. Sometimes more .
My top tip is wash a few loads during the evening and put socks etc onto those peg thingies to make it easier.
Fold the rest up neatly ( to avoid ironing ) in a laundry basket then first thing in the ,morning peg it all out. In this lovely weather it will dry very quickly and honestly there is nothing nicer than being outside in the cool of the morning and feeling smug and organised !
Then do a couple more loads to get out after lunch and then a couple more that eve for the next day. You will be organised in no time. And put away as soon as it comes in , forget ironing just be disciplined about it.

I feel for you op. I hate washing and sorting. May I suggest that when you need a new washer get one with a large drum? It was a game changer for me. I don't iron unless something absolutely needs it. The clothes get sorted (usually the next day!) into bags for each person. The DC are old enough to put their own stuff away but the bag keeps things tidy until they do!

Don't look at your current amount as one big job lot, just work your way through as you can each day. Even if you manage one or two loads per day, it's something.

Sending a virtual hug OP. I grew up in a family of 6 and we lovingly referred to it as Mount Ironing. It was relentless. You have nothing to be embarrassed over.

Breath, you are doing your best. I know it feels like an insurmountable task but these feelings will pass and one day you will look back and say 'why was I so upset over dirty pants?'.

Is there someone in the house that can help? I know I was enrolled in the washing as soon as I was old enough to hit the buttons on the machine. I did the ironing from about age 9 too (this was a different time people). I remember being taught by my Granny how to iron a pillowcase at that age although she couldn't find a pillow case so we used a pair of me Dads pants(!)

Laundry is my pet hate...it never ends and there are only 3 of us.
Like others have said it always looks worse than it is. But start with one load, hang it out if you can, or dry it then put it away. Whilst you put another load in.
A couple of years back I became swamped by mine and that was how I got it back under control.
Also get dc to help. My ds13 is great at ironing, whereas dd10 pairs all the socks and puts everyones underwear into the right box, just tell them what you need from them and show them how, it's a life skill ( and one I didn't have until I was 30)
Also ask a friend to help, I know you can't have anyone in the house, but if you have your socially distancing garden visit talk and fold. I often go and help a friend out with hers as they are a family of 5 and her partner work away (usually). Don't be embarrassed friends dont judge.

I have four including a toddler in reusable nappies so I feel your pain, the washing never ends. I get by doing a wash every other day, sometimes every day if necessary. Do one load of washing, hang it on the line then put another load on and if you can afford to, put the next load in the dryer. Tbh, if you started first thing in the morning you could power through by bedtime and have it all done.

Your DC could and should be helping you out as well, I make mine load their own washing in and they know how to switch the machine on. They also put their own dry washing away, you should make yours do that too.

I love washing, but if there's a day I feel like putting off I strip my bed.
Do normal wash(es) first..

Then put the linens in a wash with my favourite detergent, lots of fabric softener (I top up 2 times), fragrance beads ... the full works.
Once they're done, into the dryer with fragranced dryer sheets.

I absolutely adore fresh, strong smelling, clean, crisp sheets.
It's like my treat for doing a task I didn't want to do.

Is there something like that you can do to incentivise you doing the laundry?

Op I hope you don't iron. I had 8 dc at home at one point. I gave up ironing...many hours a week saved!!

I have 4 children and my nephew with us so 7 like yourself.
I work 3.5 days per week and DH does full time. I do it like this.
Monday 2 loads of washing
Tuesday towels and bath mats
Wednesday 2 loads of washing
Thursday 2 loads of washing
Friday all the bedding (I'm off)
Saturday towels and bath mats
Sunday about 4-5 loads of washing.

I fold it straight from the dryer or line when it's warm enough and it goes straight away. Anything that needs ironing like shirts or uniforms is done in the evening whilst watching tele and a glass of wine.
Bedding goes straight back onto the beds.
Sane with towels and bath mats, they go straight back in the bathrooms.

There is a washing basket in both bathrooms and DD1 and DSD have one in their rooms.
The washing baskets in the bathrooms have whites and darks sections so you can just grab it and wash it.

This way washing never gets on top of us.

The kids need to help. This is long term though.

Today get a drink and a biscuit then start with one load. Pants and socks maybe?

You can do this..

Ha

My friend with 4 kids bought 4 small baskets (not a laundry basket) and labelled each one. After the washing is done it goes into the appropriate basket and kids are called to put them away, this includes her 5 year old

I totally get you OP
I have OCD so wash tons but it's never all done.
It's the sorting it out. Putting it in is easy but sorting it out 🙄
I slesud find I'll randomly get a surge of energy and get on a mission to do it all.
Just relax. As long as you have enough clothes to wear just take your time.

I bought two retractable washing lines from home bargains. Absolute game changer

Op I got in this situation and there's only 5 of us. I did the drop off service. They don't even bat an eyelid. You're spending money there, they're more than happy. Then soon as I got all the 14 bin liners home I tipped them into a huge pile and the sorted into piles on the sofa. A glass of wine or a brew and some good music or a podcast on.

Do a pile for each person. Socks & pants in a bundle infronf of each persons pile.

When the pile is about to topple over delegate and get one of the kids or partner to take upstairs and put away. And repeat. Feels loads better once done.

I make my kids check their clothes at the end of the day. Dirty goes in the wash. Clean back in the drawer. PJS when taken off in a morning go on their pillow for that night.

I found a wash basket in each persons room was what sorted us out. And one in the bathroom strictly for towels and bedding.

Then do one or two washes a day. Ideally just one persons washing. That way super easy to put away (can empty the wash basket on to their bed for them to fold and put away)

For the younger ones I put their stuff away just before bedtime when they're getting pjs on, brushing teeth, choosing a Story and genuinely fannying about.

It's a shit job. And it seems like a never ending stream. But you can do it. Keep popping back and we'll spur you on!

With the weather being lovely get it done early and out on line, you can get a few loads per day dried outside, as it’s dry fold it into each persons bundle and straight up
and into drawers, it does not get left lying in kitchen.
Honestly you’ll have it cleared in 2 days, family of 7 your washer should be on every day.