To never be on top of Washing

[Aquarius1234]

I can't remember when I didn't have a pile of washing in the basket/ floor.

I have a plan in my mind that I will do a couple of loads and Try and get it down.
But then I avoid for ages..
I don't know why I find it so hard to physically pick up dirty washing and put it in the washing machine.
Definitely the worst is shaking it out and putting on clothes horses. Esp knickers and socks.
I don't own a tumble dryer. So all I do is occasionally go to my parents and use theirs for bedding and towels.
Anyone else feel life is horrible when washing and well general cleaning is thrown into the mix??

Good plan. I think every other day I could do. Least the wet clothes would be dry.
When life gets in the way, cleaning is an after thought.
More time our the house less time doing chores.

Whose washing?

I am me with a teenager and a 9 year old.

9 year old sorts and puts everything in the washing machine - it’s his duty! He unloads it into a washing basket when it is done and calls older sibling

16 year old hangs it out if weather is nice or tumble dries it.

I fold it up and it goes in a washing basket for youngest or eldest or for me or for house! Eldest and youngest take theirs and put away and I do house and mine.

They each must pull clothes the right way around or it is vetoed and doesn’t go in the wash! Likewise socks go in pairs and batches of nine for each person - we have a system. Pants also do the whole week but they each have their own mesh bags for pants, period pants or bras. Different colours. Periods pants and bras do not go in tumble dryer or jumpers. They are only things left out.

it hasn’t always but it works like a dream. Now.

For me if I do a wash every day then I end up feeling like I do washing all the time and don't get anything else done. We blitz it over the weekend, and did for years before we got a tumble dryer. (Not sure I could still work it now that we have teenagers, but it was fine when they were small.) First wash goes on about 4pm on a Friday night, second later that evening or overnight. My rock'n'roll party lifestyle!

You are far more valuable and interesting than your laundry pile though. Spending time living your life instead of doing your laundry is a Good Life Choice.

We are the same, family of 4. We have 6 different washing baskets...don't ask...

Washing to only chore I don't mind and I do some every day. Without fail..unless I'm sick it gets done. There are 6 of us so best to do it daily but I quite enjoy it. If everything else goes to shit my kids are clean and well turned out.

Why

It works well

Everything gets washed - gets fine to dry inside as well

And don't run out of anything

We do a wash everyday other than Christmas Day when we take the day off

In all seriousness though, the laundry basket is never empty (there are four of us) so we have to do one load a day to keep on top of it. It honestly only takes about 15 mins each day - that includes putting it in, taking it out and putting it on the airer. Then put it away the next day as the cycle continues.

I do 8 loads of washing a week. I always fill the machine before I go to bed each night, ready to press start as soon as I get up. I race home from the school run just as it's finishing then hang it up (line if it's dry, radiators/airer if it's not). By the time we're all home and have had dinner, it's usually dry, so I'll collect, fold and distribute. When it's really wet out for more than a few days, I'll do several loads in one day on a weekend day and take it to the laundrette to dry (especially on bed changes day when I have loads). I do school uniforms first thing on a Saturday morning and then a once a week white wash for shirts etc., so they're dry and ready to be ironed on Sunday. I find keeping on top of it is the only way not to get overwhelmed.

Only just put a load in. Wow.

Nobody's ever on top of washing. It's ongoing every day.

I don't mind laundry but DH hates it, so I do it. I hate doing bins and any washing-up that isn't just stacking plates in the dishwasher, so he does that. Can you divide tasks and conquer with anyone else in the house? Do you have money to pay someone to do any/ all of it for you?

I found a bigger drum washing machine to be a gamechanger. Also I like to get a load in at breakfast; then I have no choice but to hang it while lunch is cooking and it doesn't disrupt the evening.

I feel like I'm never on top of it either but it's because of the weather. I'm in Scotland and I waiting for a sunny day to try to dry the washing is painful sometimes haha. Easier in the winter when I can use the radiators - but that also means I can wash less clothes at once so presents its own problems.

Why’s it your job? I stopped doing my kids when she was 12 and I don’t do my husbands, we do our own when we have a full load.

It takes 90 minutes twice a week. If you can find a full time job in that time frame I'd be impressed!

But I did find it stressful and I'm glad I only have to do the folding and putting away now, I don't mind that part (and DH and DS1 just get a pile to put away their own).

Just do a load when there's a load to do. Really don't get all this angst. You get it out the basket, stick it in the machine, add powder, close door and press a switch, really not arduous. Takes 5 mins then to hang out whether on line or inside. I have teenage boys and live in a flat but really dont get the stress this is, causing you

Where do people put the dry clothes other than wardrobes?
I have storage issues which mean clothes get left in places they shouldn't.

I put everything away in the wardrobes and drawers. If you can’t manage that OP, you have far too many clothes!

DeClutter!!!

You need to get rid of some stuff asap then!

It doesn’t sound like washing is really the issue here. If you don’t have room in your wardrobes/drawers to put a load of washing away-that’s the problem. Are you a hoarder?

I do a redd out in my wardrobe and drawers 3 x a year. I've just done one.

Shapeless stuff binned. Anything I've not worn to the charity shop. Stained stuff is binned as soon as I realise the stain ain't shifting.