To want to cry at my sister's washing?

[summeroccupation]

She has three girls and is currently on holiday with them. I'm house sitting until next weekend and there's washing everywhere. I've filled four ikea bags and still have a pile that's filled the bath. I'm planning to get it washed and dried for her but I'm honestly looking at the pile and don't know where to start. She has a washer dryer and it's taking ages per load (no laundries around here, just forecourt washers that are like £10 a wash!)

No she hasn't asked me specifically to do it but she was complaining about the state of her house last week so I know she won't mind. She's been struggling with her MH lately and having it looming over her can't be helping! And she's starting a new full time job next week so if I leave it it'll never get done!

What is a forecourt washing machine? Washing machine at a petrol station?

Sorry should have added. Op, you’re very sweet for doing this.

I grew up in a house where the dining table and sofa were constantly covered in washing. The chaos it caused was ridiculous - could never find anything I wanted to wear. The horror of leaking whilst on my period and trying to hunt down a clean knickers. No way to live.

It’s really kind of you but don’t take it on if it’s too overwhelming. Or maybe just do some of it ur the whites.

I was wondering though- why a house sitter when she’s simply gone on holiday? Who does that? Is there a pet or something?

I'd start with the pile of underwear, that's the only thing you can't really wear two days like you can with other clothing.

Then I'd start with the larger sizes and work to the smallest. This is because kids grow and if the washing has been hanging around for a month or two then the smaller stuff may not fit.

I was wondering though- why a house sitter when she’s simply gone on holiday? Who does that? Is there a pet or something?

There is a cat that needs medication.

Sort everything so you can visually see how many loads need doing.

Don’t over fill the machine.
Wash everything on 40 and on synthetic's (so you don’t have to waste thinking about it).
I would only use the dryer for towels (buy dryer balls to speed dryer times).
The rest gets dried on the line, the advantage of line drying is that it’s better for your clothes, faster and you don’t have to be physically present when it’s on the line (dryers really shouldn’t be run when no one’s home).

Climbing Everest without a plan will always be overwhelming.

I would be taking multiple loads to laundromat and washing and drying them as it would be the only way to get through everything.

They usually have higher capacity machines.

There is only so much you can dry on the line and the clothes horses.

I suspect some of the clothes have been outgrown and will be thrown out anyway.

Not read everything but I would do 20 min washes at 30 degrees. Quicker and more efficient. I'd use a washing line or airer. How many clothes do they have!!! I wash every day or 2 but if. Miss a couple we start to run out of clothes 😂

You are doing a lovely thing for your sister. It’s what I would do for mine and what she would do for me. No shame between sisters. Mine has helped me many times, especially when my kids were wee. My mum would have done the same.

You've done nothing wrong posting on here either - nothing particularly outing about the info you’ve shared either.

My advice would be to just do what you can. If you aren’t working while house sitting then just do a little tidying and cleaning while each load is in the washing machine.

Well done OP

@summeroccupation you are doing such a lovely thing for your sister. On a side note, in regards to the kids toys and hoovering, if your sister can afford a robot vacuum they are life changing.

Getting my dd to pick up her toys and put them away was a monumental battle. I got a robot vacuum and dd named it. She absolutely loved watching the robot vacuum doing its thing.

Now all I have to say to her is: (nickname for robot vacuum) would like to vacuum your bedroom today. Would you please pick up your toys so (nickname for robot vacuum) can vacuum? And no battles or push back. She’s more than happy to pick up the toys for robot vacuum.

Your sister’s kids may or may not respond the same way as my dd. But it could be worth a shot.

I read your thread title without my reading glasses on and thought it said wedding, not washing! But when I read on, that made sense too. You're a lovely sister.

Hi there, I’m curious as to body doubling is and if you have a few minutes I’d be happy to know more about it. Thank you.

You are doing a lovely thing for your sister. It’s what I would do for mine and what she would do for me. No shame between sisters. Mine has helped me many times, especially when my kids were wee. My mum would have done the same

spot on.

Somebody mentioned sorting laundry by size, I agree with this. Once washed put the small, outgrown in a separate bag for the Charity shop. Leave it in the hallway for your sister to drop off in case there are clothes she'd like to keep.

Pretty much.
Some can be found at local corner shops too.
There are several near me. Has a couple of different sized washing machines and a big tumble dryer

I wouldn't use a quick wash, they are meant for very small loads that just need freshening up, rather than actual washing. They just slosh it about in tepid water.

If you can run to one (large!) load tumble dried at the forecourt place (bedding and/or towels), that would free up a lot of line space for clothes. And good idea to take some loads home where you can wash and dry efficiently. If you have a week, you'll get in done, OP. I don't really iron (a couple of linen dresses, or if I'm sewing, that's it) so I suggest smoothing and folding neatly as stuff is dry.

Does the washer/drier have a ‘spin and drain’ cycle? I always put the clothes though that after a wash as it seems to reduce the drying time as it gets rid of excess water. Then, if using the drier, I only put in light stuff and the rest goes on the line.

Edited to say I just saw your pic- that rinse and spin cycle is likely to be the same as my ‘spin and drain’ one.

You’re doing such a kind thing, I’m sure your sister and family will be happy when they get home and see your efforts. I hate coming home to loads of washing but your sister will have way less to tackle than what she had before the holiday ❤️

Nothing to add really, just ignore the people being negative.

Rinse and spin would add more water before spinning it.

There is a bit in the dial that says 'spin' and that would just spin the excess moisture out.

Really good tip if you’re not doing that already.

Also if your sister has the money maybe she should get a cleaning for a couple of hours once or twice a week to help keep the house nice, once you're finished. X

Challenge your “all or nothing” thinking here OP- you absolutely don’t have to get it all done. Even if you only got 10% done that’s still a huge huge help!

You want quick 15

Only if she's washing 1kg of washing at a time

@AnnieMcFanny Google

@Shybutrude thank you. We very much live in the world of ND in this family and have done for 35 years and I’ve never come across body doubling before. It sounds very interesting and it’s appropriate you linked to ADHD because a grandchild had just been diagnosed with it.

thank you.