“I Cannot Keep Up with my Laundry”

Through Google Analytics, I can see what search queries people used to find my blog.  Everything from ‘laundry deals for this week’ to ‘my bedroom smells’ to ‘how to fold towels’ are daily searches.  And then there are the very, very odd ones like ‘I found a mouse in my washing machine.’  (Mama doesn’t do mice.  Ever.  And definitely doesn’t deal with them in a washing machine…)

But I saw this search this morning, and it really struck a chord with me: ‘I cannot keep up with my laundry.’

Now keep in mind I have no way of knowing who entered that query in the search box, but for some reason the image of an overwhelmed, fatigued mother came to mind.  One who would really like to bless her family with clean clothes, but just can’t figure out where to start. A mother who is trying to simplify her life, starting with the laundry pile.

So if this your situation, take heart.  You can start today to get a handle on it.

Here are some suggestions to getting a handle on your laundry:

• Pare down your clothes to only 7 outfits per person.
  This can be a drastic move.  But it can be true for some people that they are not going to wash clothes until it is necessary.  If you wash clothes when all 7 outfits are dirty, that is still manageable.  If you wash clothes when all 22 outfits are dirty, it’s a daunting task.  It is hard to conquer the laundry when you know it is going to take all day because everything you own is dirty.  If that’s the way you roll, make sure to have a limited number of outfits.  It’s like forced self-discipline.
• If you have children, involve them in the laundry process.
  If you have children over the age of 2, they can help in the laundry process.  My almost 2-year-old can easily pick up the clothes from the floor with direction.  My 4-year-old can scoot the girls’ laundry basket down the hallway and dump it for me.  And she is becoming the best little folder, with some occasional direction from me.  My 6-year-old can dump his clothes in the hallway to sort, empty the dryer for me and haul the basket to my room so I can fold them.  And my 4 and almost 6-year-old are expected to put their clean clothes away in the correct drawers. Know that I don’t say these things to brag on my children, but to give you some ideas of how your own children can help you in getting the laundry done.  There is a post coming on children and laundry soon, so stay tuned.
• Don’t buy anything you have to iron.
  If you are trying to simplify your life, ironing is not for you.  It’s time consuming.  So look for clothes you can take directly from the dryer and hang up until it is time to wear them.  Wrinkle-free fabrics are fabulous, so keep your eyes peeled for them.

Laundry Routines

I’ve written lots of posts on starting and sticking with laundry routines.  At the end of the day, a laundry routine is going to be the saving grace to dealing with the never ending piles.  Browse through these links if you are having a hard time with implementing a routine:

• How to Start a Laundry Routine – Make sure to ask yourself those questions.  It can make all the difference in finding what is going to work for you.
• Starting a Laundry Routine: Moms that work outside of the home – or moms that work full-time hours from home
• Starting a Laundry Routine: Moms that stay at home during the day
• Washing all laundry on one day – if you just want to get it all over with!
• Keep a Goodwill Box – It’s so easy to get rid of extra clothing when there is a designated place to put it.