I actually don’t mind doing laundry. I’ve been using the same system for at least 20 years, and it works for me. I’ve never thought about doing laundry any other way. Until Hubby graciously decided to help one weekend. This new laundry method will blow your mind!
It dawned on me that his system is the same system that most people use. It’s the same system which has been passed down from generation to generation. If it works for you, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this system. If it doesn’t, then this new method will be a real eye-opener.
On one Friday night, Hubby decided to help me with the house chores and started working on the weekend pile of dirty clothes. When I took over on Saturday morning, I was baffled as to why he would do laundry this way, but then quickly realized that this is the reason that most people hate doing laundry. I was extremely grateful for his help, but his system makes no sense to me.
The “normal” way is this… lights and brights are separated out, but typically, the entire family’s dirty clothes are laundered together. Possibly along with sheets. Again, under the traditional way of doing laundry, this makes sense, right? Until it’s time to sort and fold and then it’s a nightmare trying to figure out which article of clothing belongs to which member of the family and gets put away in which room.
If you are frustrated and hate doing laundry, give this new method a try and let me know what you think!
Holly’s Crazy Laundry Method
1. Unless you have something extremely “bleedable,” valuable, heavy, or gentle – for the majority of your clothes, forget about separating lights and brights (detergents are much better these days).
2. Spouse’s clothes may get laundered together. The exception to this rule is if the spouses keep their clothes in separate rooms.
3. If you can separate out your children’s clothes by child (ie by hamper), that is ideal. If not, then put all kids clothes in the same hamper to launder together.
4. By reading the above lines, understand that adult and kid clothes should never, ever co-mingle during the laundry process.
5. Sheets get laundered independently.
6. Towels get laundered independently.
7. Be sure to make your own detergent or use an all-natural brand.
8. When the clothes are finished drying, dump them into the hamper, and take them immediately up to the bedroom. If it’s the adult clothes, go to the adult bedroom. If it’s the kids clothes, go to their room.
9. Sort and fold on the bed. I know, right?!?!? They don’t get sorted and folded in the laundry room, or even on the couch while watching TV.
10. You will now have smaller piles of clothes that are easier to put away. You won’t have to guess what goes where or take field trips to different rooms.
This system eliminates all co-mingling and sorting and is actually a very streamlined process. I also end up doing the same amount of loads, so I’m not being wasteful by sorting this way. It’s certainly not for everyone, but it may just change your outlook.
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Love, hugs, and sorting it out.
Hmmm, you’ve got me thinking. It would certainly make sorting 2 teen daughters’ clothes correctly much easier.
Hi Susan – It’s so funny – I never really thought about it until jumping in half way through someone else’s system. It was quite the eye opener! Hugs, Holly
Ever since I was 8 and left my red lipstick in my pants that ruined my parents’ clothes, I have done my own laundry. I have always done my laundry the way you described above. I never even considered mixing towels, or sheets with clothing. I guess it’s all in how your parents taught you. 🙂
Hi Cassie – I don’t know what I’m more impressed with… the fact that at the age of eight you were wearing red lipstick or doing your own laundry. You rock! Hugs, Holly
I was 11 when my mom started making me do my own laundry. I think your teens should do there’s! I’ve known grown adults in the Air Force who never had to do laundry before and I’ve had to teach them. Let them learn a skill needed for life! Plus, the bonus is you’ll have less laundry to do yourself ;D
Hi Kelley – AMEN to that philosophy! Thanks for stopping by to share and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Hi Holly! Yes this is my method too minus the essential oil which I am going to do now. Folding laundry while watching my DVR shows is actually relaxing!
Hi Diana – WOO HOO!!! Ok so I’m not the only crazy person who does it this way. Solidarity my friend! Thanks so much for stopping by to share. Hugs, Holly
This is how I’ve always done my laundry! I’m glad someone else agrees it makes sense! Also, Purify in every load, Mix Lemon and Rosemary in water for Stains! Works like a Charm
I am with you ladies! I separate the laundry by family member (we are only three), but it is soo much easier, especially when it comes to sorting. My son’s laundry is done on sunday morning. All is folded and put away by 10 am! I am too going to follow the essential oils advice being I am allergic to fabric softeners!
Thanks!
Hi Flavia – I’m so excited to hear that I’m not the only one who does laundry this way. Solidarity my friend! Thanks so much for stopping by to share and hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
I grew up doing laundry the “old way” you describe. Now that I have my own kids, we do laundry just like you outline! Hubby and my 12 year old are responsible for their laundry and each of the younger kids gets theirs done as a separate load. It is sooo much easier than sorting everything! Plus everyone does their fair share-even the 3 year old helps to put her clothes away.
Hi Kristina – Thank you so much for stopping by to share how laundry gets done in your house. I love your system! Hugs, Holly
Great post! Will give it a try.
I have also tried washing only non ironing stuff like sheets, towels, underwear, pjs, and track pants together so the get folded straight off the line.
Then there is no ironing pile to sort out.
(Though i have noticed a trend of people who never iron, which sounds good too)
Hi Vanda – Thank you for stopping by to share! I’m a non-iron-er myself… only when absolutely necessary! Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
But you put the clean clothes back into the “dirty” hamper. Doesn’t this bother you?
Hi Donna – I am about as cleanaholic germaphobe as they come. And I never, ever thought about this. Hummm….. hummmmm…… you’ve got me stumped. Hugs, Holly
I have a hamper liner that I toss into the wash also, solving this issue!
Thanks so much Jill! Hugs, Holly
Here’s how I do it, but you have to have enough room. Each kid has a separate laundry basket. As clothes come out of the dryer, they get thrown in the appropriate basket. Big kids are responsible for putting their clothes away (or maybe they just pull clothes out of the basket as needed!); little kids I put away, but not until they are running out of clothes to prevent them from wearing things over and over. Towels and sheets get folded as they come out of the dryer. I sort by whites, lights, and darks, and I don’t want anyone helping with the laundry. Don’t understand people who have their kids do their own wash. Seems to me that wastes water and ties up the machine when I might need it.
Hi Leslie – Thanks for stopping by! I love your system! I totally hear you… it’s just so much easier when I do it. At some point, Mr. 12 years-old will be grown and need to know how to wash his clothes so he does his own, but only under my supervision. Hugs, Holly
I’m going to buy another hamper for the girls today! They’re so close in size doing their laundry together drives me nuts! Thanks for the great idea!
Hi Stephanie – Awwww…. thanks for stopping by to say hello! Miss you my friend! Hugs, Holly
Why didn’t I think of this? I have a family of 8 and constantly sorting clothes makes laundry that much more of a chore. Thanks for your post! Following on G+
Hi Heaven – Wowza… a family of 8? I don’t even want to imagine how much laundry you have to juggle. Thanks so much for the follow! Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Everyone in my house is responsible for their own laundry. I started my daughter doing her own when she was 8 or 9. I don’t care what method they use and therefore I have no stress in my life regarding laundry. Unless I run out of clean underwear!!
Hi Cindi – OMG I love your system! That is how I am with the dishes… I don’t care how it gets done, as long as it does! Thanks so much for stopping by to share and hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Lol! I used to think that way until I witnessed my father in law lick his plate and fork and put them away. Now it’s my way or you go hungry. ?
As for laundry, the hubster and I share a laundry sorter, underpants and towels are washed together in HOT water, the rest is washed by fabric type and need for bleach.
The kids each have their own laundry hampers and do their own. The only problem I have is Boy washes and dries his clothes and “forgets” to put it away and uses the dryer as his other dresser. Girl likes to wait until she has nothing clean left to wear. I know she’ll discover boys anytime now. ?
That makes perfect sense. Now if you and hubby can sort the laundry out together think how awesome it would be cooking together 🙂 #ibabloggers
60-TheNew40.com
Hi Kathleen – One thing at a time, my friend! LOL!!! Thanks for stopping by and great meeting you via #ibabloggers! Hugs, Holly
This is the way I do it too! i do seperate colors, but otherwise pretty much the same. I always hang things in the laundry room and fold on the bed. Thanks for letting me know I am doing laundry the ‘right’ way!! 🙂 i am linking from Hit Me With Your Best Shot today.
Hi Pamela – WOO HOO solidarity my friend!!! Thanks for stopping by to share! Hugs, Holly
Hi Holly. Awesome blog title. And great post.
I use to combine everyone’s clothes then separate by color because that’s the way my Mom likes it. But now I pretty much do laundry the same way as you except I don’t add the essential oils. If it has any kind of fragrance, it will give me a sinus headache.
Best wishes, Darlene
Hi Darlene – Isn’t it funny how we can be brought up doing something one way and then turn around as adults and do it completely differently??? I like a clean or light scent with my laundry… but the other day I was walking behind someone who smelled WAY too laundry good. I guess better than the alternative, eh? Hugs, Holly
Purify doesn’t make your clothes smell strong, but it will kill germs and take any sweaty or unwanted smells away ; -)
OK, this is smart!!! I’m going to try this soon. Via CBN.
Hi Agy – Thanks for stopping by! Great meeting you on CBN! Hugs, Holly
I never thought of doing it this way. I’ll have to give it a try!
Hi Lisa – Never hurts to try anything once right?!?! Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
What a fabulous idea! I am adopting this method ASAP, if for no other reason than trying to figure out which girl gets which shirt/pants/undies/socks!
Hi Kim – We are at the stage where Stepson’s socks are the same size as dad’s so there is no confusion… at least not yet LOL! Thanks for stopping by to share and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Those are great tips. It does make sense to launder items by where they go so there’s less to sort out later.
Hi Julie – It obviously works for some and not for others! But it makes sense for me anyway. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
Nice post – yup this is how I’ve always done laundry with the exception of the essential oil AND I do fold in front of the TV, thats my DVR time, too 🙂
Hi Katie – Oh I hear you on the multi-tasking! I’m usually on the laptop doing work while when getting caught up on my DVD shows. Thanks for sharing and I hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
This would definitely prevent me from mixing up my husband’s and teen son’s laundry. They are constantly swapping mis-sorted clothes!
Hi Corinne – We are super close to their clothes being the same size and starting to get mixed up! Hugs, Holly
Judging from the number of times this has been pinned, I see that I am not the only person who thinks this is brilliant! No more guessing whether socks belong to my husband or son! Love this!
Hi Susan – Holy wowza! I had no idea it was pinned so many times until I saw your comment – I’ve been all over the place lately. Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello and I hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
We’ve been doing laundry this way. the older kids know which day to do their laundry and are responsible for their own. Thanks for posting. Hello from Thrifty Thursday.
Hi Melissa – It’s so much fun to hear how everyone does their laundry. Solidarity in clean clothes, my friend! Hugs, Holly
This is awesome!! Probably why my mom hates doing laundry after so many years of doing it this way for a family of five! Great tips!!
Hi Meaghan – Doesn’t it seem like for each person you have in your family, the laundry multiplies by three?!?! Thanks for stopping by to say hello! Hugs, Holly
I’m like your husband, although in our case, the kids are responsible for their own laundry and have been since they were like 8. And I’m definitely a TV folder. In fact, I’m a serial TV folder. I usually dawdle around until there are 4 or 5 loads to be folded and then start a Netflix marathon. #SITSSharefest
Hi Adrian – I do prefer to fold my clothes on the bed, but I’m a serial Netflix marathoner. Right now I’ve been on a Parenthood binge. Thanks for stopping by to share! Hugs, Holly
We sort all laundry together on the couch. The kids fold their own pile and put their own clothes away and I fold the towels/linens along with mine and hubby’s laundry. We all love this arrangement and find it quite doable.
Hi Wanda – Thank you so much for stopping by to share your family tradition. I love how you all do laundry together! Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
We have a massive front loader so this system wouldn’t work for us. Each person would have to wait weeks to build up enough dirty clothes to fill the machine. However, I do have another tip that makes laundry easier for me. I sort clothes by the dryer setting I use on them. So, jeans and towels get washed together then dumped into the machine on high. Same for anything that dries on low or delicate. We have a huge sorter on wheels. Each bag holds one full load of laundry so when one is full, I wash just that kind. This way I spread it out over the week and avoid a “laundry day.” Total time to put clothes in machine, toss them into dryer, and to sort and fold? – about 10-15 minutes.
Hi Kathy – Thank you for stopping by to share your system! It is my dream to have one of those machines some day! Your system sounds awesome though and very efficient! Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I took it even one step further…I bought lingerie bags for each child’s socks and underwear. This keeps them all together and small ones can help matching socks!
Hi Dianne – One word… BRILLIANT! Thanks so much for sharing your idea! Hugs, Holly
Doesn’t anyone pretreat stains or am I just that OCD about it and if so, what is a good pretreater stain remover that works on all colors?
Hi Kimberly – I do pre-treat, but only on the extremely difficult stains. I usually use the Oxi pre-treat which seems to work well. Thanks for stopping by to say hello! Hugs, Holly
When I do laundry, I do this. When my husband does laundry, he doesn’t…it all goes in together. My daughter does her own laundry most of the time, which solves her stuff getting mixed in with everyone else’s and my youngest son does his sometimes too. But The rest of it gets intermingled into a giant mess. This is so smart. Pinning!
Hi Michelle – Thank you for sharing the method to your family’s laundry madness. I love hearing how everyone does laundry at their house, and awesome that you have taught your children how to do laundry themselves (we are still working on that!). Thanks for pinning! Hugs, Holly
Great tips, Holly! We have seven people in the family, so I think I could use a new system to make it easier. Love the idea to add Purification too — I’ll have to try that next time! 🙂
Hi Dee – Seven people making laundry… I would have to hire a full time laundry person to help me! Thanks for stopping by to say hello and share. Hugs, Holly
This is totally how I do laundry too!
Hi Chandra – WOO HOO!!! Solidarity my friend! Hugs, Holly
This has got me thinking! As my toddler gets older I mix up his clothes with big brother’s clothes more and more!
Hi Amanda – I was just thinking the same thing about Stepson and Hubby… their sizes are starting to become more similar than different. Hugs, Holly
Been doing it this way for a while now. Totally agree…much easier sometimes I even do a load of just everybody’s underwear and socks. Seem to run out of those first anyway!
Hi Renee – YAY for solidarity! Thanks so much for stopping by to share and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
It doesn’t sound so crazy to me. Good for you!
Hi Laura – You are too sweet, thank you! Hugs, Holly
This sounds so great! I confuse, my daughter and I’s socks as well as my husband’s and my son’s. Sorting is half the battle! Thanks for this!
Purification oil, or Purify oil are the BEST scent boost. If you’ve ever hated that left over throw up smell that is RIDICULOUSLY hard to get out of beds or carpets etc, use the purification oil. Wholly cow it’s the only thing that works for that gross lingering scent!
Hi Lindsay – I am in love with Purification! It smells so fresh and clean and I’m actually getting ready to make a bar soap with it – the possibilities are endless! Thanks so much for stopping by to share and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
My SIL posted this and I was intrigued. I’m always keen to learn a new method of doing laundry. As I was reading I realized I do my washing the same way! I could never mix my baby’s clothes with ours or (heaven forbid) the tea towels! I like the idea of folding in the room though – I must do that!
Hi Rhonda – My apologies for the delayed response – I just had 30 comments appear out of nowhere and some were two months old! Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello and I really do appreciate it! Glad the article was useful and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I always did the laundry by myself until my girls were in junior high. It was time then for them to learn how to take care of their own clothes. I placed clear instructions on the use of the washer and dryer in the laundry room…never any problems even with ironing. Later, when all the girls did their own laundry, my husband and I switched the roles. He did the laundry while watching the games on tv, and I took care of the garden, which I loved to do. It worked for us!
Hi Ronnie – Thank you so much for taking the time to share how laundry works in your home! We are trying to teach Stepson how to do his own laundry but it’s a LONG road LOL! Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
This sounds great and I am going to try it for the new year!! I have 5 kids so guess how Much time I spend doing laundry??!! Thanks.
Hi Dreena – Oh my goodness, with 5 kids, do you have any time to do anything else other than laundry! Many blessings to you and your family! Hugs, Holly
LOL. We have a saying: “If you’re looking for Mom, she’s in the kitchen or the laundry room.” I’m really looking forward to the change of scenery!!
It’s really good to think about a completely fresh approach, I’m not sure this would work completely for us, 2 of my kids are at uni so not here all the time, but I do love the idea of sheets/towels having their own wash.
What I do is dump all the clean dry clothes in a pile and get every family member to find their own and take it to their rooms, that works pretty well for us, but my kids are older – I didn’t do that when they were small (I’m imagining the chaos!)
Hi Julie – Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share your laundry stories! It’s always a never ending challenge for all of us, isn’t it?!?!? Hugs, Holly
Everyone in my house does their own laundry even my husband. I started my daughter doing her own when she was 8 and we had many battles over her not turning her clothes right side out before putting them in the hamper. It is the best thing I ever did. In high school I never had to hear “I wanted to wear that and it not clean” because it was her responsiblity. She went away to college and couldn’t believe the number of people that didn’t know how to do their laundry. What even amazed her home were the kids that went home on the weekend so their moms could do their laundry.
Also, I’ve always done sheets and towels by alone and kitchen towels, dish clothes pot holders etc by themselves.
Hi Cindi – Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and share! What an important lesson to teach your daughter and how proud both of you must be of how self-sufficient she is! I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Some good tips! I don’t separate either – my mom thinks I’m crazy – but I’ve never had a problem with it. I hate doing laundry so I try to do one load a day (on good weeks) – start it in the morning, put it in the dryer in the afternoon and fold in the evening. I also fold on my bed but I watch a show on my iPad.
Hi Kerry – Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello and share! Really do appreciate it. Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I don’t separate parents and kids, but I do mix loads and make the kids put their own away by putting the folded clothes on the chairs at the dinner table. No food until clothes are put away motivates the kids – and the mom and dad! Lol.
Hi Kristy – Oh my goodness… I love idea to hold dinner hostage! Maybe I will do that on top of someone’s Xbox controller… (queue the evil laugh)… Great to see you again! Hugs, Holly
Great ideas here! Id id a post about hanging up washing and it has the same concept of hanging different people together so that when you take it down it’s easier to sort and I put the ironing on top: http://onestepatatime.co.za/home/efficient-ways-to-hang-up-washing/
Hi Heather – Thanks so much for stopping by to share! Hugs, Holly
Doink moment!
exception – hubby’s work clothes … they are their own load.
FB sharing for my daughter … pinning for the rest of the world!
Hi Noel – My apologies for the delayed response – I just had 30 comments appear out of nowhere and some were two months old! Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello and I really do appreciate it! And extra thanks for FB sharing and pinning! I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I don”t think I could bring myself to put all the colors and whites in together.
Hi K – Totally hear you my friend! Thanks so much for stopping by to say hello and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Love this post! As someone who hates doing laundry, this is a possible solution! I like the idea of no intermixing and that laundry is taken directly to each bedroom. Simple, yet SO brilliant! The number of towels my boys were using became a problem in our house. My remedy was getting rid of all but 2 towels per kid. Remarkably, I don’t find them on the floor anymore!
Hi Aime – Thank you so much for stopping by to share your personal experience and kind words! I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
You’d still sort coloured/white and darks and wash them in separate loads, right? So it’s 2 loads per pax per day?
Hi Allycat – Unless it’s something brand new or bright, I actually don’t separate any more. I probably should, but so far, I haven’t had any problems. Maybe I’m tempting fate LOL! Thanks for stopping by to say hello and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Hi Holly! I used the same method as you since i have kids, but still have to separate and so many loads, i have 5 kids so its easier and heavier at the same time. I washed mine and Hubby’s, then big kids, small kids, and baby lol. I always try to separate adults stuff from kids stuff.
Hugs
HI Cintya – Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and share! Great to have you here and hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
I have done laundry your way for as long as I can remember. My boyfriend does his own and I do mine. No kids. But have always washed the sheets and towels separately. I don’t sort lights and darks. I do undies and socks, shirts and then pants. I usually have darks in the winter and lights in the summer.
Hi Jaleen – Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing. Laundry organization is a must in our home. Hugs, Holly
I have 5 boys and have been using this same system for years. Sorting through everyone’s clean clothes used to drive me nutts. We had cabinets built in the laundry room to use as each family member’s seperate hamper section.
Hi Paula – Thanks for stopping by to share! How wonderful to be able to separate your family’s laundry and hampers. I can only imagine with 5 boys how much laundry you have yikes! Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly