Keeping clothes neatly folded and organized is a challenge in any busy household, but having a structured routine can make all the difference. In our home, I am the one who initiates the process—if I don’t start folding, it simply doesn’t happen. The boys avoid it entirely, Fearne will only do it if someone is watching her, and Juli only steps in when she sees that I’ve already begun. Without my effort, clothes would remain in baskets or, worse, be left in piles around the house.

In this article, I’ll share our household’s approach to folding clothes, how I encourage participation, and some useful strategies to keep everything organized.

Why Folding Clothes is Important

Folding isn’t just about making laundry look neat—it helps maintain the condition of your clothes, maximizes space, and makes it easier to find what you need. Some key benefits of keeping up with folding include:

✔️ Prevents wrinkles and creases – Proper folding helps keep garments smooth, reducing the need for ironing.
✔️ Saves space in drawers and closets – Neatly folded clothes take up less room, making storage more efficient.
✔️ Extends the life of fabrics – Reducing unnecessary wear and tear preserves the shape and quality of your clothes.
✔️ Reduces clutter – Instead of rummaging through messy piles, everything has its designated place.

Despite these benefits, getting everyone in the household to fold clothes consistently is a different story!

Our Family’s Folding Routine

Who Actually Folds Clothes?

In our house, folding clothes is a one-person job—me. I’m the one who starts the process, ensures everything gets put away, and makes sure drawers don’t turn into chaos. The boys have long since given up on folding, Fearne only participates when supervised, and Juli steps in only after noticing I’ve started.

While I would love for this to be a shared effort, I’ve accepted that leading by example is the only way to keep our laundry system running smoothly. That said, I still make efforts to involve the family where I can.

How We Manage Folding and Organizing Clothes

• Sorting first – Before I begin folding, I separate clothes by owner and type. This makes it easier to distribute items to the correct rooms later.
• Folding in batches – Instead of folding everything at once, I break it up into sections—first shirts, then pants, then smaller items like socks and underwear.
• Designated storage areas – Each family member has their own drawer or space in the wardrobe for their clothes. Once folded, everything goes to its assigned place.
• Encouraging responsibility – While I still handle the majority of folding, I make sure that everyone is at least responsible for putting their own clothes away.

Tips for Getting the Family Involved in Folding

While my family isn’t fully on board with the folding process, I’ve found a few strategies that help encourage participation (even if just a little!):

🔹 Make it part of the routine – Setting a specific time each week for folding clothes makes it feel like a normal part of home maintenance rather than an afterthought.

🔹 Pair folding with another activity – Folding while watching TV or listening to music makes it feel less like a chore and more like a relaxed task.

🔹 Use a ‘folding station’ – A clear space like the dining table or a large bed makes it easier to fold efficiently.

🔹 Encourage kids with a reward system – If younger children help fold, they can earn small incentives like extra screen time or a fun activity.

🔹 Let them organize their own drawers – Giving kids control over their clothing storage helps them take pride in keeping things neat.

Making Folding a Stress-Free Part of the Household Routine

Although getting the whole family to participate is an ongoing challenge, having a structured routine keeps the house organized and prevents laundry from piling up. If you struggle with folding clothes in your home, try setting up a simple system that works for you—whether that’s assigning specific folding days, using space-saving techniques, or involving family members in small ways.

How does your family handle folding clothes? Do you have a routine that works well? Let me know in the comments!