Help me get on top of the laundry!

[LemonSwan]

It is just chaos!

I need a plan, or even basic system.

For example things are even getting mixed up. DPs taking things out, I am putting them in. Then we have baskets with half clean half dirty. It’s all a mess

What are your laundry systems.

Tell me your secrets please.

Baskets of my dreams lol 😂 or I should say hampers!

Read my post 5 replies before yours! :)

I have the same problem, but probably worse. It's at a stage now where I don't know how to deal with it and it causes me so much stress and anxiety.

@kidsandpuppies
Put one wash on now, darks preferably as that's easiest and choose a relatively short cycle so you can put them out to dry before you go to bed. Spread them out on an airer as best you can.
Honestly once you start it won't feel so bad.

Dirty washing goes into hampers in each bedroom. We also have a slimline hamper next to the washing machine in the utility as it's next to the bathroom and kitchen so handy for dirty towels and dirty clothes after showers etc

We also have four identical, stacking, clean laundry baskets.

After washing and drying... using the clean laundry baskets we fold up the clean dry clothes in one and use the other 3 to sort into. Each child ends up with a clean laundry basket of clothes to hang up and they return the basket to the utility room.

I don't do ironing unless it's absolutely necessary because then there isn't a pile of ironing endlessly waiting to be ironed. DD's school blouses dry hanging up on a hanger, as do DH's shirts. Everything else looks pretty okay just drying flat on the airer.

Seriously limit the amout of clothes you have because the dirty pile can only get so big before you run out. It makes it impossible for it to get completely out of hand and very quick for it to appear back under control. 3 or 4 loads and we're back to empty laundry baskets.

Wow so success.

Today I have separated everything. I will admit DPs has gone in a bin bag so I don’t have to look at it! Sorry DP quite dramatic but I needed it removed from sight to feel manageable.

I have done all of my washing. Folded, put away. Well stuffed away! I need to reduce what I have!

Did all of DS’s washing. Have gone through all of his wardrobe and removed anything wrong size. Have folded and put it all away 🥳

Have done the spare beds sheets as had a guest.

Tomorrow I am doing towel washing. And going to go through my clothes drawers and reorganise.

Have added drawer organisers to shopping list for DS drawers and DP bought DS a cute laundry hamper because he’s been snooping my posts 🧺

Hi DP 🤣👋 I will maybe do yours later in the week. Only if you promise to declutter you drawers!

Use persil colour, so all colours in together

Wash

Dry outside in good weather

Don't iron anything

I think the too many clothes situation is a big problem. Keep decluttering your clothes until they fit comfortably in your drawers and cupboards. The more clothes you have, the more laundry you have and the more overwhelmed you get.

Dirty laundry only goes into dirty laundry hamper on landing. Every day when I go downstairs I check hamper and select either a darks or lights load and bung in machine.

Hang out to dry on line or airer. When dry clothes either go on ironing pile or into piles which go back on people’s beds (when kids were little I’d put clean clothes away for them).

Two laundry hampers. One colours. One whites. Everyone puts their clothes in the right one when they need washing. Colours get done twice a week. Whites as and when needed. Hang to dry. Fold when dry and put away.

Also @Whataplanker with airers, it's essential to have the right type if you're primarily using these.

The typical UK style ones that are just three panels set up like a gate that you can fit about ten things on are no good. The ones like 3 Xs stacked on top of each other also totally useless, they keep the clothes much too close together and on top of each other so you get no airflow. I don't know if they are just old fashioned and designed for tiny washing machines or what.

You want a European style airer, either a balcony one or a tower one. (Pictures attached) Argos do both, so do Ikea. Most of the heated airers are also this style - I have a bit of a theory that the heating part is a bit superfluous, the "tower" shape is what makes the difference, because they have big vertical gaps between the clothing allowing you to actually fit a full load, sometimes 2+ loads, and nothing draped over anything else. The balcony ones are best for large items like towels and sheets but the tower ones take up a smaller footprint, especially if you get one you can fold one side down.

Almost a year on and wondering did you make changes OP? Have you mastered laundry now?