Laundry day in a busy household is no joke! Between work, school, sports, and daily life, it can feel like the laundry never ends.
Over time, we’ve developed a system that (mostly) keeps us sane, including teaching our older kids to wash their own clothes—because let’s be honest, we were sick of seeing clean clothes on the floor, only for them to end up back in the wash!
Here’s how we tackle laundry day as a family, what works for us, and tips to make laundry easier in a full house.
🏡 Laundry in a Busy Household: The Realities
When you live with multiple people, laundry piles up fast. There’s always something in the wash, something in the dryer, and something waiting to be folded.
But the biggest frustration? When clean clothes get thrown on the floor and then magically reappear in the laundry basket!
That’s why we made a big change:
✔️ The older boys now wash their own clothes
✔️ They must dry them too
✔️ We still fold—but only if they keep them off the floor!
If they can break the habit of treating clean clothes like dirty laundry, maybe we can start working together more as a family.
🧺 How We Sort & Wash Laundry
Sorting laundry properly is key to keeping clothes in good condition and avoiding color bleeding disasters.
Here’s our simple system:
🟢 Whites – Washed separately with warm water.
🔵 Darks & Brights – Always washed in cold water to prevent fading.
🟡 Delicates & Special Care Items – Washed separately on a gentle cycle.
🔴 Towels & Bedding – Washed on hot to kill bacteria.
The older boys? They get a crash course in sorting—but whether they follow it is another story. 😅
🚿 Our Step-by-Step Laundry Routine
Step 1: Sorting & Prep
✔️ Everyone sorts their own laundry (except for little ones).
✔️ Check pockets (because forgotten tissues = disaster).
✔️ Turn jeans and printed shirts inside out to prevent wear and fading.
✔️ Pre-treat stains right away—waiting until laundry day is too late!
Step 2: Washing Clothes the Right Way
For family laundry:
🧼 Use the right detergent – Too much can leave residue, too little won’t clean properly.
🚿 Cold water for everyday clothes – It’s gentler and saves energy.
🌀 Delicates on a gentle cycle – Never throw them in with towels!
👖 Heavier items together – Jeans, hoodies, and towels shouldn’t mix with lighter fabrics.
For the older boys:
✔️ They must load the washing machine themselves.
✔️ If they mess up, they deal with the consequences (pink socks, anyone? 😆).
Step 3: Drying Clothes the Smart Way
☀️ Air-dry delicates – Keeps fabrics soft and prevents shrinking.
🌬️ Shake out clothes before drying – Reduces wrinkles.
🌀 Use dryer balls – They fluff up clothes and cut drying time.
🚨 Big rule:
No leaving wet clothes in the machine for hours—unless you want that lovely mildew smell!
Step 4: Folding & Putting Away
🧺 We still fold clothes for the family (yes, even for the older boys).
🚫 But if they throw their clean, folded clothes on the floor?
✅ They fold their own next time!
We’re hoping that by teaching responsibility now, they’ll eventually learn to take care of their things (fingers crossed!).
💡 Laundry Tips We’ve Learned Along the Way
💙 1. Teach Kids Laundry Early
Even young kids can help with sorting, loading, and folding. The sooner they start, the better!
🧴 2. Use Vinegar Instead of Fabric Softener
Keeps clothes soft, removes odors, and is better for sensitive skin.
🛑 3. Don’t Overload the Machine
Clothes need space to get clean—half-full is best!
🎽 4. Air-Dry Sports Gear
Tumble drying ruins elastic and makes activewear smell worse over time.
👔 5. Fold Clothes Immediately
It stops wrinkles and prevents the dreaded “clean clothes on the floor” habit!
📣 Encouraging Teamwork in Family Chores
Laundry is a life skill, and we want our kids to understand:
🧺 Clothes don’t magically wash themselves
🤝 Helping out benefits everyone
🚫 Respecting clean clothes means LESS laundry for all
We’re hoping that once the older boys prove they can handle responsibility, we can talk about helping each other more—without laundry battles.
Will it work? Time will tell! 😆
