AIBU so tired of washing

[Tircongal]

How do other people manage washing?? Have 4 clothes horses full of wet washing this evening and another 2 washes waiting to go . There are 2 adults and 3 kids in this house. Was ok during summer but weather awful for last few days so no outside drying. I work full time and this may sound odd but it's really getting to me tonight. Can't move for wet washing 😡 any tips how to make it easier.

Buy a heated airer, a big one

Thing is, all these solutions don’t alter the fact that it takes up ALL THE TIME and ALL THE SPACE IN YOUR HEAD. Rearranging airers every couple of hours, extra spin cycles, careful forecast monitoring. Youngest is currently wailing about where are his favourite shorts - they’re in the basket, matey, where you threw them after about an hour’s wear rather than put them back in the drawer.

One load a day, tumble dry.

Definitely wash less. Towels once a week, I moved to encouraging DD to wear knickers with pjs so she can wear a pair of PJ's for a week (she was going through one set a night), using an old t shirt over clothes at meal times for DC so not everything they own ends up with stuff down it.

I hear you @Phalarope
Most above 10 year olds can be taught to do their own washing. Even if only for a while, might make them realise what it's like.

I tumble dry everything. The monetary cost outweighs the damp clothes everywhere and to be honest I don't think it costs that much anyway.

Tumble dryer

A dehumidifier really helps. I bought one this summer and it makes a huge difference when trying to dry clothes indoors particularly when there's no heating on. It's also much better for the house - I was shocked at how high the humidity was even without putting wet washing on the airer.

Wash clothes less.

Agree wear more often, wash less. With the exception of underwear or visible stains, everything is worn/used more than once here.

Dryer? 🤔 we live in a hot climate and put all washing into dryer - much quicker and easier.

I also have this problem. Since our toddler has started at nursery, he wears at least 2 outfits per day because one is filthy by lunchtime as he spills food/water all over it or whatnot. Then there’s the extra time hanging that larger number of smaller clothes out on the line Etc etc. Takes ages.

The way I cope with washing is by not putting stuff away. So no sorting and folding. We have a huge plastic box in our upstairs hallway, anything washed goes in there, DH picks out his stuff and folds it and I just pick out what DC and I need as and when. Clean laundry is just dumped in the box. But there's only 3 of us, so works for us.

Thanks for all the tips. Definitely going to get a dehumidifier and look for ceiling rack. I have a tumble dryer but try to avoid overuse due to energy costs. Kids ages are 17,15 and 11 and l will admit they need to start pulling their weight a bit more.

Ha. So you’re in prime wear it once for 30 seconds and then put it on the wash / can’t be arsed to put it away so put it back in the basket / floordrobe territory.

Get them to do their own. Give them a drying rack each and tell them to crack on.

Heated clothes horse. Lakeland. Plus dehumidifier

We must be such a dirty pigs in your eyes.
Family of 4, two washes per week - one for whites, one for coloured 11kilos washing machine doesn’t always get full load.
I absolutely don’t mind wearing the same thing a few times, same is my hubby and the kids (11 and 16 years old). I put stuff in to washing only if it is visibly dirty or smelly and I demand the same from the rest of the family. It’s nuts to wash something only because you know you wore it.

The easiest way to fix this problem is to put the other adult in your house in charge of laundry. I’m assuming this is a man who is the father of your children and not your 90 year old disabled mother.

I promise you that within a few weeks there will be far less to wash and an efficient way of drying it. But only if you stick to your guns and don’t take back the chore or solve any problems.

Get a heat pump tumble dryer. Half the cost of a normal dryer.

I put all the clothes horses in our little box room (also have an extendable wall mounted rail to hang shirts etc) and put the dehumidifier on high. It’s a powerful plug in one and dries everything by morning. Then I shove them in the airing cupboard to ensure they’re completely dry before folding and putting away. I also keep rechargeable ‘damp packs’ in drawers and wardrobes to prevent any dampness getting in. Towels and duvets I finish off in the tumble drier to fluff them up.

Absolutely second the dehumidifier. We have one in the utility room and without it on clothes take half a day or more to dry, even with the windows open, with the windows shut and the dehumidifier on the load dries in less than two hours. Costs pennies to run as well and does not damage the clothes like a tumble dryer does.

Friends use them as well, stick the clothes in a room with the doors and windows shut (bedroom) and the load drys before bed. You will be surprised how much water comes out of the air though, at least initially, a 2-3hr run can easily such out 5 litres.

Towels hung up after use, last 3 or 4 showers/baths.
Bed linen every week or two depending on need!!!
Pants and socks clean on every day.
School uniforms.. clean on Monday..replaced only as needed the rest of the week.. if bodies are washed every day the clothes will be fine.
When everybody comes in from school/work they change into 'house/play clothes which last til Friday unless going out somewhere 'respectable!'
We all change clothes too often, creating too much laundry, costing money and work and damage to the environment.

@Shallistayorshalligo

We must be such a dirty pigs in your eyes. Family of 4, two washes per week - one for whites, one for coloured 11kilos washing machine doesn’t always get full load. I absolutely don’t mind wearing the same thing a few times, same is my hubby and the kids (11 and 16 years old). I put stuff in to washing only if it is visibly dirty or smelly and I demand the same from the rest of the family. It’s nuts to wash something only because you know you wore it.

It is not nuts to wash something because you know you wore it, you can not see bacteria (or viruses) and a lot of other contaminants. In reality if you sit on a bus or tube train then there will be faecal contaminants and bacteria on the clothes that came into contact with the seat. You also might not think the clothes smell, I used to work with someone who was adamant that theirs did not, but that is because you tend not to notice the smell of yourself or your immediate family unless it is quite bad,mother people will notice.

If you have a tumble dryer, then use it.
If it's about the cost, reduce elsewhere, but it'll save you time and reduce stress. Don't be a martyr.

I would do your own washing and your 11 year old's washing. Everyone else can do their own. 11 year old probably can too but I'd be kind given they're already dealing with a lot of change at school and increased responsibilities.

Tumbledrier. Undies and tea shirts dry in a jiffy!