Can we chat about laundry?

[Annwithnoe]

Because I have a ton of questions!

So far I’ve taken steps to reduce how many clothes we have to reduce the laundry mountains and iron piles: now I have to regularly complete the laundry process or we will run out of clean socks. I don’t iron as much either as stuff isn’t left sitting in a crumpled pile and no one grows out of clothes waiting for them to be washed anymore

And because it’s not such a daunting task, I’m better at stain removal and spot cleaning and not chucking stuff in the laundry that didn’t really need a wash. We re-wear more now.

I’ve experimented with buying trousers a size up and turning up the hem but by the time they are the right size, they look scruffy.

On the small steps thread it was mentioned about sorting heavy and light clothes to prevent excess wear in the washing machine (I didn’t want to derail with a million questions) but can I ask

• how do you sort clothes
• what program do you use and why

- What detergents or substitutes work well?

• Any stain removal tips?
• can anyone recommend high street shops for children’s clothes? I’ve been using charity shops as much as possible but there are always bits needed, or uniforms etc

It’s all a bit daunting and confusing. Every time I try to make a change it seems it’s wrong for another reason I haven’t thought of

I'm pretty new to this ( I say new lol as I'm just starting to get the jist of things)

We are a fam of 5.
3 boys.
We have blues, red, white and black piles.

I was on a 40 ehich lasts 1.18 hours

I use Tescos own yellow fab con and surf pink box.

Kids uniform I get from George or Sainsburys

Clothes come out of the dryer, into my back room them as and when I have time I take them upstairs sort out things into mine and dh clothes, socks, undies, each child pjs and their clothes.
Uniform I unfold and put over the cot to help me iron later

Boys clothes go straight into their wardrobes chucked in as they keep ruining the piles by playing hide and seek

Only thing I iron is uniform and what we wear from day to day if needed

Defo helps unfolding (making pants straight) everything after it's out of dryer helps with ironing time later

Would love to pick up some tips lol

We wash most things at 40 unless there are many nappies in there when I chose 60.

I loosely sort into "dark might run" and other. I do 3 washes one week and 5 the other. The 5 includes Ben linen.

The life changing bit for me has been doing it on a Monday. We need just over a weeks stuff. And that is what we have.

Hang stuff n indoor racks

milly I’m confused whether it’s better to wash something like nappies on a hot wash or use a bio detergent on a cool wash where they allegedly wash better ??? Or are bio-detergents terrible?

I’ve cut back on ironing massively to the point where I may only iron a hem or collar if that’s what’s needed rather than the whole garment now.

Even with the kids uniforms I rarely bother (though I’m much more careful in hanging and folding than before) but I suspect that my M&S crease resistant uniforms may not be the best fabrics. I need to find out more.

I use a fast wash setting 1hr either 60 for bedding and towels
40 for whites
30 for darks.
I use Costco Kirkland laundry powder £16.99 for 400 washes it lasts a whole year
Blue comfort have tried others and I just don't like them
I use a vanish bar to scrub white collar shirts and baby stains
Also use napisan for germy items that can't be washed on 60.
I do a load a day.
Sometimes 3 on weekends with bedding, towels and uniform.
I also dont iron just put straight away.
We don't have a dryer so peg outside weather permitting or radiator airers the rest of the time.

Washing cloth nappies is supposed to be done using non bio and the temp all depends on the brand some have to done at 60 others can be done at 30. I have a mix of brands and wash on 40 wash but reduce the time.

Mugs what does that kirkland powder smell like?? Very intrigued!