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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask do you see the end of your laundry basket?

76 replies

Statsquestion1 · 17/08/2025 11:19

I will ask the basic question first…

If you have a family of 4, sporty children etc. do you see the end of your laundry basket each week?

if so why do you think that is and if not then why not?

OP posts:
TwelvePercent · 17/08/2025 12:28

Occasionally I do, and on those occasions I take a photograph of the rare & beautiful sight to share with friends.

Im on holiday ATM & I'll do a few washes because I can't abide coming home with tons of laundry to do.

breakfastdinnerandtea · 17/08/2025 12:28

In this weather ☀️ yes. In the winter not so much. We prioritise stuff that needs washing in the winter (school uniforms, underwear, basic clothes) rather than washing everything and struggling for it drying properly on the maiden.

stargirl1701 · 17/08/2025 12:29

No. It’s not a task that I see an end of though. It’s a maintenance task. Everyone pitches in with laundry - adults and children.

spoonbillstretford · 17/08/2025 12:29

Yes definitely. Having separate baskets helps. Also DDs who do their own!

Original poster
Statsquestion1 · 17/08/2025 12:31

So I’m the one who gets to the end of my laundry basket, it stays that way for 1-2days and then on day 3 it seems I sudden have another load. So I wash it and it’s empty again. Had a friend round and I was sorting laundry from the line and she said she never sees the end of her laundry basket. We laughed and she actually couldn’t believe I get to the end of mine. I’m constantly on top of my laundry. It never builds. We both work and both have 2 dc. There’s no normal obviously, I’m a bit obsessive though and I keep everything very tidy and organised, my mum was the same so I just asked to gauge who was the norm as such 😆

OP posts:
Endofyear · 17/08/2025 12:31

I had 5 children and very rarely saw the bottom of the laundry basket! Just me and DH now and I probably do 3 or 4 loads a week! I don't miss it 😂

gamerchick · 17/08/2025 12:32

A pair of husbands slippers that he wants washing. When they have been there long enough for him to forget about them I'll be throwing the horrible holey things out.

Yes he could wash them himself but I'm territorial about my washer.

Didnotnailit · 17/08/2025 12:32

Nope. I think it connects directly to the netherworld and some socks fall through. My minging teens mix clean and dirty and I can have three sports kits three times a week plus in the holidays they mountain bike then get changed again. It’s endless

littlegreenmonster · 17/08/2025 12:33

4 adults, 1 child. Have never seen the washing pile empty for more than 20 minutes max. As soon as I've finally finished it, someone comes down with more stuff they need washing! Luckily I enjoy doing it & i love the smell of freshly washed clothes

IsThisLifeNow · 17/08/2025 12:35

Yes, but its a load on every other day, then extras for towels and bedding.

I'm stuck living with STBEXH, partly because of money, but more so becayse we have small children and our lives are still very much intertwined. He's being a prick about housework, makes PA comments if I don't wash whatever is in the washing machine. I do 90% of the housework and I cannot wait to get the house on the market so I can get some space to start the healing process

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 17/08/2025 12:38

Laundry basket, yes, but I never get to the bottom of the pile of ironing!

QuaverQuanta · 17/08/2025 12:40

Yes. And then I remember that we are wearing clothes so it's never really ever complete 😫

Original poster
Statsquestion1 · 17/08/2025 12:41

QuaverQuanta · 17/08/2025 12:40

Yes. And then I remember that we are wearing clothes so it's never really ever complete 😫

Love this 🤣

OP posts:
DappledThings · 17/08/2025 12:42

Yes, every other day. 2 adults, 2 primary age children, one of whom wets the bed most nights.

Dahliasrule · 17/08/2025 12:42

Hardly ever! Three adults, two teens. I am in awe of those of you who can do it.
i have a 10kg machine. We use large bath towels and a king size, double and two singles, that’s before I even start on the clothes! I am fussy. Never mix darks and lights and there are several pieces that go on a gentle quick wash.

Digdongdoo · 17/08/2025 12:43

Rarely and never for long. But I'm always on top of the washing.

Auroraloves · 17/08/2025 12:43

Occasionally, not often.

OrangeSmoke · 17/08/2025 12:44

Never! Always something that needs a special cycle like wools or delicates left at the bottom. If I get round to those everything else builds up again!

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 17/08/2025 12:46

It depends on the weather and how much dh has done and WHAT he has done.

I'm confident it will happen today because it's a beautiful sunny day so stuff is getting dry fairly quickly on the line. I use the tumble drier too for bedding and towels and pants. My line has limited space!

DappledThings · 17/08/2025 12:47

OrangeSmoke · 17/08/2025 12:44

Never! Always something that needs a special cycle like wools or delicates left at the bottom. If I get round to those everything else builds up again!

If I have anything that needs a special cycle I just do the next cycle as a delicates one but still with whatever else is in the basket in it. I don't save up the few delicates for their own cycle.

Confabulations · 17/08/2025 12:53

Yes, a couple of times a week. Some days the machine is on more than once, other days not at all. It is usually all done on a Friday, then no laundry over the weekend, and back to it on Monday.

But, we are not one of the MN households that gets squeamish about changing bedding and towels daily, life is too short for that. And climate change is real.

user1476613140 · 17/08/2025 12:54

4DC here. I rarely see the bottom of the basket!

BUMCHEESE · 17/08/2025 12:56

Rarely. Kids are mucky and need full clean outfits pretty much every day so it only takes a day or two for there to be another load and that's before extras. Plus there's usually some silk or wool item that needs a special wash so we save it for when there's more to go in. It feels like we put washes on constantly.

I think part of the problem is too many clothes so I'm going to do an audit today and parse their drawers and wardrobes!

FriedFalafels · 17/08/2025 12:59

Always. I chuck a load on every 3 days and do it in my lunch break as I remote work. Iron the next morning. My very minimalist could also play a part

I have one child less but I don’t think that would make a huge difference for me

lifeonthelane · 17/08/2025 13:04

Family of 4 here - one adult wears a uniform for work, plus kids do sports/uniformed activities. I've managed to get into quite a good routine where I do a wash most days and as part of the bedtime routine, everyone puts their clean washing from that day away. It only really builds up if we've been away or had a particularly busy week.

I grew up in a home environment where clean clothes weren't guaranteed (short version is mother with significant depression) - I distinctly remember having to stretch out wears of things like school shirts and my knickers as a teenager. I think this has contributed to my need to make sure everyone is clean and never has to scrabble around for clothing they need now that I'm an adult. I'm not particularly on top of the rest of the household chores, but I've mastered the laundry routine 😂