As the school season gets underway, managing your family’s laundry can feel like an overwhelming task on top of all the other to-dos. With school, activities, and work keeping everyone busy, it’s easy for laundry piles to grow out of control. Luckily, with a few practical strategies, you can keep your laundry routine under control. Here are seven tips to help parents stay on top of laundry, even during the hectic school season.
- Create a Laundry Schedule
Setting a regular laundry schedule is a game changer for busy families. Designate certain days of the week for specific laundry loads. For example, make Monday “whites day” and Wednesday”dark clothes day.” A structured routine ensures you’re not drowning in laundry by the end of the week. If you can, spread out loads throughout the week instead of waiting for the weekend to tackle it all.
- Involve the Kids
Encourage the kids to be part of the laundry process based on their age and abilities. Younger kids can help sort clothes by color, and older kids can fold laundry or even learn to operate the washing machine. Teaching them how to handle their own laundry early on not only lightens your load but also teaches them responsibility.
- Sort and Pre-Treat Immediately
One of the reasons laundry can pile up is because sorting and pre-treating stains get out until later. Keep a hamper with multiple sections in bedrooms to make sorting clothes a quick and easy task. As soon as clothes come off, they should go into the appropriate section. For stains, treat them right away instead of waiting until laundry day. This will save you time and ensure the clothes come out clean.
- Streamline the Folding Process
Folding can often be the most time-consuming part of doing laundry. Set aside dedicated folding time while multitasking–perhaps while watching your favorite show or listening to a podcast. Another option is to have a “family folding night” where everyone folds their own clothes and puts them away. The key is to keep the process streamlined and organized.
- Invest in Quick-Dry Fabrics
If you’re buying new clothes for your family, consider looking for items made from quick-dry fabrics. These fabrics dry faster in bothe the dryer and on a clothesline. This helps speed up the overall laundry process, allowing you to cycle through more loads without long drying times. This is particularly helpful for sports uniforms and school clothes that need frequent washing.
- Have Multiple Hampers
To prevent laundry from piling up in random places, place hampers in convenient locations, like bedrooms and bathrooms. This makes it easier for everyone in the household to toss dirty clothes in one spot. Having designated hampers for different types of laundry, like darks, lights, and delivates, will also save you time when you’re ready to start a load.
- Designate a Laundry Day Backup
No matter how organized you are, life gets busy, and sometimes your laundry schedule may fall behind. Set aside one “catch-up” day each week, where you can finish up any loads that didn’t get done earlier. Sunday is a good option since it prepares you for the week ahead. Having a backup plan ensures your laundry doesn’t spiral out of control, and you stay on top of it even during the busiest weeks.
- Wash Sports Clothes Separately and Promptly
Sports clothes, especially those used for after-school activities, can get sweaty and dirty fast. To keep them fresh and prevent odors from spreading to other laundry, wash sports gear separately. If possible, throw these items in the wash as soon as your kids come home from practice or games. Using a quick wash cycle with cold water helps preserve the fabric and remove odors effectively. Don’t let sports clothes sit too long in hampers, as the smell can set in and become harder to remove.
Overall
Staying on top of laundry during the school season doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By organizing your laundry schedule, getting the whole family involved, and streamlining the process, you can keep things running smoothly. With these seven tips, you can take control of your family’s laundry routine and free up more time for the things that matters most.