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Years ago, when my family consisted of just me and way too many clothes, I could go weeks without doing laundry. Now, in a home with five others (including one little girl who loves to change her clothes!), I’m lucky if I can go a day.
If the laundry is neglected it doesn’t take long before the laundry room becomes a complete and total mess, and we’re wading through piles of clothes, which is why laundry hacks have become a necessity in our home.
Keeping it Simple
Not long after my son was born we developed eczema, and we were told that a common cause of skin irritation is exposure to fragrances and chemicals in laundry detergent. I had no idea.
Using different detergents for different people didn’t make sense. We didn’t want to risk our son using the wrong blanket and having a flare up so we switched to one detergent to keep things simple, which is just one reason all free clear is so great. He can live free from sensitive skin worries because all free clear is 100% hypoallergenic and the #1 recommended detergent by Dermatologists, Allergists, and Pediatricians. It’s 100% free of dyes and perfumes, gentle on skin, and safe for all washing machines.
all® free clear detergent (liquid and mighty pacs), fabric softener, and dryer sheets have also received the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance™, which is given to products that avoid certain chemicals, dyes, perfumes and residues that are known to be unsuitable for use by persons with eczema or a sensitive skin condition. This is extremely important to me because I don’t like to see my kiddos uncomfortable or in pain from flare ups.
*As with any household detergent, please remember to keep out of reach of children
Sorting
I like to sort clothing by person, if possible. If each person doesn’t have enough lights or darks to make a full load I’ll combine laundry, but sorting by person makes it easier for us to fold and put away.
When I’m sorting clothes after the laundry has been cleaned I tend to make piles by person and clothing type on the kitchen table. All of my daughter’s clothing may be on the left side of the table and then all of her shirts, pants, socks, etc. will be in separate piles which makes it easy to gather in a basket and put away when she’s in her bedroom.
Baskets, Hangers, and Drawers
When my husband and I got married, I became a mom overnight, and my laundry pile tripled! For years, I’d get frustrated by my stepson’s messy drawers and how my husband would fold towels. (I know, I sound like a joy to live with, right?)
I eventually waved the white flag of surrender and decided it didn’t really matter how the towels were folded, but my son’s dresser was a different story. I didn’t want his clothes to look wrinkled and messy so we changed our strategy and started hanging up all of his nice clothes instead. Now only socks, underwear, and pajamas go in his dresser. Everything else gets hung up in his closet, which has helped put an end to the laundry wars.
Using baskets, hangers, and drawers are great, but they should be used in a way that works for your family. Growing up (and still now), I love a beautifully organized drawer. Who would’ve thought a six year old boy wouldn’t have had the same affection for perfectly folded linens? Once I finally got it through my (stubborn) head that it didn’t really matter if our drawers resembled those of a store we were able to create a system that works for us, and that’s how these tools should be used. They should be making our lives easier, not making us feel like we have to conform to a certain way of doing things (even if it’s the way we might prefer).
Color Coding
Now that we’re hanging up so many clothes, I’m finding it’s easiest to hang them as they’re removed from the dryer. This helps to prevent wrinkles and the laundry mountain that likes to form on our floor. However, hanging up six peoples’ worth of clothing can quickly become overwhelming. To make each person’s clothes easier to find, I’m going to start using colored hangers..
No More Lost Socks
Lost socks just seem to be one of life’s mysteries. Where do they all go? How do so many get away?
Well here’s a great trick for not losing any more. Put your socks in a mesh bag! This will keep the pairs together so they’re easier to match and prevent socks from going missing. Afterall, no sock wants to be without its sole mate.
Those are some of our favorite laundry tricks for keeping things under control. What are your favorite laundry hacks for famillies?
Ginger R.
Folding sheet sets. I never liked shaking a folded sheet out to spread it on the bed when putting fresh sheets on the bed. The sheet billows and I’ve got to wait for it to settle and still maneuver it into place. Or trying to get it unfolded and straightened out. So I started folding my sheets inside out. Now I can unfold them into place. Faster and simpler. I also fold my fitted sheet and pillow cases – then roll them in the folded flat sheet to make a tight bundle. Tight easy storage.
Emily
That’s a GREAT idea!! I need to start doing that. Thanks for sharing (and making my life a little easier!) 🙂
Becca
I do kind of the same thing, except I stash the sheets and pillowcases inside 1 pillowcase so that way I can just grab a bundle and go when it’s time to change sheets.
Emily
That’s a great idea, Becca! I may have to borrow that.
Amy
I do the same thing Becca. I find it’s easier for me to keep the set together, and this way I am not searching in my linen closet for a lost pillow case. It also makes it look a lot neater, and very organized. Which is always a plus!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
Emily, love your laundry hacks! I, too, use “clear” laundry detergent (Seventh Generation) because of sensitive skin. And I believe the fragrance in regular detergents are harmful even to people who don’t seem to have a problem with it. Those of us who are sensitive to fragrance are just “the canaries in the coal mine.”
Gail Akeman
I like the idea of a mesh bag for socks.
S.L. Payne
Great ideas! There are currently six of us in the house- it amazes me how much laundry our three boys can make and our foster daughter is starting to follow suit since she loves to dress up too 🙂 I feel like I am always trying to tame the laundry monster! My third son has eczema too and that All is great. I actually don’t use is anymore though since I started making my own version of it and it has only cost about $25 for the past nearly 6 years 🙂 It is gentle and I totally agree that it isn’t feasible to use different detergent with everybody! All is such a great store-bought option for that. Thanks so much for sharing!
-Sara
tove maren
it is such a good idea to do the laundry separate by person – especially when you have a large family. I am great at doing laundry, i can even fold – once in a while – but putting it away seems to be too much to ask of me… these are great tips!
Emily
I’m the same way! I actually don’t mind folding, but for some reason putting it all away just feels like too much of a bother lol
Katie at Organizing Moms
I have trouble with missing socks too. My dad taught me to use a safety pin to pin socks together before putting them in a laundry basket to be washed. That worked when it was just me, but it’s not going to work with my preschoolers. I’m going to try the mesh bag idea!
Emily
The safety pin is a great idea! Saves time having to match them too.
Crystal
I think a large number of socks are lost before they ever make it to the laundry! Car, sandbox, under the couch, grandma’s house. Socks everywhere!
Emily
Yes! “Socks everywhere!” could definitely describe my house!
Kelsey
We use All Free & Clear for the same reason and love it!!
Roxie
I use the Free and Clear too. But I HATE those packet things. I thought I would love them. Just so easy, no measure, just drop into washer. But for some reason I have found time and again that they do not dissolve all the way and little bits of ‘hard crusty ‘stuff’ is left on clothes. I use mostly warm water. But I gave the packet things away and now use the liquid soap.