Washing dread

[MrsExtraOrdinary]

So I have 6dc at home plus dh and me, one on the way and another that visits at wkds. It's all good mostly, except WASHING!!! If I'm ill or am busy with work I get behind the usual 3-4 loads daily and it takes about a week to catch up! I bought a great new washing machine a Miele this time last year. It's been superb, very economical, but the wash cycles are long. I'm considering getting a second machine for when I get behind. So I can have them running simultaneously. I have the space in the garage. But don't really want to shell out £900 on s second machine. Mothers of large families, what would you suggest?

moving out?

Sorry. no idea. I only have 4 dc but find it impossible to keep up with the laundry. otoh, if you have 6, I'm wondering if you have some older teens, in which case I suggest you delegate.

I do have teens but tbh I have some expensive clothes and I don't want them accidentally ruined. I really don't mind putting the washing in, it's just the fact there's so much of it, unless it's on continually im never on top of it! Hence wondering about a second machine.

I only have 4 dc also, but I've seen much larger families (6+) on here mentioning two dishwashers and two washing machines.

I'd tend to wash the younger kids clothes on a cheaper cycle. If you have teenagers, I'd be pushing them to take more control. You wash, they hang up, fold, iron.

I'm irrationally taken with getting an additional slimline dishwasher in the kitchen

What's ironing??? Oh no no! I stopped that when I divorced my first husband! I always buy the non iron shirts and if they don't like it, they can lump it! Haha

Just to decide on what machine then?!

Perhaps get a second washer just for quick washes?

4dds and I'm still obsessed with ironing!

Imip if I have a girl this time I reserve the right to change my mind about ironing! I'd love a few pretty dresses in the house. Alas I have 5 boys and 1 grungy 14 year old dd. Ripped tights and denim shorts are as exciting as it gets with dd :-(

I have 7 too.

I don't have any advice... just wash and wash and wash and wash!

Annunz do you have 2 machines?

I'd definitely get two washing machines and two tumble dryers in your position. You don't need a £900 machine for the second one, you could get a very nice machine for half that but not a Miele. But as it's not the main machine, it wouldn't matter. I do loads of washing, not as many kids but all of us doing sports, activities etc and my bosch is fine. Also it has a big variety of cycles so you can speed things up.

Eg if you have a really delicate dress/sequinned stuff for dds, my machine does these on a 15 min superquick delicate cycle.

I only have 4 too and have thought about 2 machines also. My wm dors long cycles too so am going to try doing quick washers as much as possible.

We've got a Samsung 12kg about £500/600 (sorry cant remember). Would recommend it.

No, just one with a 12kg load. I don't think I'd like two because then the drying and ironing just piles up.

Samsung has a daily wash of under 60 mins. It's very good.

12kg? Gosh I was told the large drums don't last due to the weight of the load and volume of water. I'm hoping to make do with a single tumble dryer as some delicate things go on a clothes horse. I'm lucky to have the space to make it a real option.

Can fathers of large families advise too? It's not just women who are responsible for laundry.

Anyway. I would just get a cheapy second machine with a quick cycle for lightly soiled clothes.

I would get another machine yes.

But also get better laundry system. So whites basket/ darks/ bedding and delicates. That way you can just put delicates in own basket, and tell them to leave alone, but get them to do the others.

Ours has lasted really well. Its about 3 years old now.

But also get better laundry system. So whites basket/ darks/ bedding and delicates.

Yes, we do this, a basket for each and my dc have to separate their stuff. I have a few of the Lakeland heated driers too, I love them.

Lakeland heated driers. Clearly I'm a dunce and I've been missing out! Will have a Google. It's pretty well separated but I could make it more obvious. We have dss whose autistic so quite often he just chucks the washing around in a tantrum. But certainly worth a go.

Oh the heated driers are great, and they only get a bit warm, not hot, so I'm happy leaving them on around toddlers.

I do one dark washing a day and three light (one clothes, one towels and one bedding).

Could you put in an old style ceiling pulley? Sheila Maid and Lakeland do one. We have 4 kids and got one about 2m long. 5 rails. You can hang more than a full washing machine load from it. Dries overnight. You just need a concrete slab over or to know where your timber floor joists are to fix it into.

I'd second the ceiling airer, it's a lifesaver.

I've got a friend with 8 kids and she told me about something called a family closet. Apparently a life saver for bigger families.

We have 5 children. I refuse to do more than 2 washes per day, a dark and light plus any bedding that needs to go in. Its the drying I have problem with even in summer when access to 2 washing lines I just dont have space. Now its getting cold the washing isnt drying outside aswell so im a little behind, I put items such as towels and bedding etc in the dryer but I have 3 big airers that are at moment full, I have a basket full of wet clothes ready to hopefully hang out tomorrow and a wash basket with about 3 wash loads worth of clothes in it. Also hubbies work clothes are very messy he has a few pairs though so I usually do it all at once at weekend.

I think my role at sahm is mainly dedicated to washing if im honest. I only iron what desperately needs ironing though so thats not a big burden. I would say prioritise what items you need washing and drying first and then leave whatever until there is space. Hope I make sence im ready for bed

Wow, I realise I am about to create a family closet for my 4 dds. We are moving to the 'adults' room on a different floor now that the dds mostly sleep through the night (?). They have the two rooms next to each other, one with a huge 4 door wardrobe. I am beside myself with excitement to be putting all their clothes in here are they currently have two tiny wardrobes and the age range is so close it's not worth putting anything in storage for such a short time.

Yy to the Lakeland heated airer, finding ours quite useful.

I am keen on a shelia maid also, however, in the list of DIY priorities, painting and decorating our new rooms is no. 1