Want to know my dirty little laundry secret on how to get laundry done with six children?
I don’t do it.
Gulp. Talk about airing dirty laundry . . .
I’ve tried several laundry systems over the years and all of us ended up dreading laundry day . . . until we tried this system. I got so tired of hearing whining about folding that HUGE pile of clean clothes at the end of every Monday and Thursday. We tried everything to make it look better and go faster. Even going so far as setting the timer to see how fast they could get it done.
Truth was, I got just as discouraged looking at that HUGE pile of laundry as what my kids did. Then I read how a mama of eight had her children do their own wash.
Bingo!
It went before the voting committee and there wasn’t one dissenting vote. So now each child does their own wash . . . sort of. Those who room together share a laundry basket and do their wash on the same day.
It does take a little extra time at the beginning to show them how to do it, what settings to put the washing machine and dryer on, and how to tell if you have a large or medium load. Still, our laundry room is right off the kitchen, so I’m only a question away!
Everything they need is right in front of them . . . or at least sitting close by. One of the children has a skin sensitivity to the regular laundry soap, so he has to do his laundry with a special soap. But he doesn’t mind it a bit, especially since he knows what happens if his clothes get in with someone else’s load.
All the upstairs crew – Derek, Terrel, and Logan, do their laundry on Tuesday and Friday. Megan and Wyatt, who are the downstairs crew, do their wash on Wednesday and Saturday. That leaves me to do Lowell’s, mine, and the baby’s wash on Monday and Thursday.
For those who are a little short on one end, a stool works great – especially when diving for something that fell out of a pocket.
So far, we are loving this way to do laundry . . . or not do it.
However, I still had to explain in great detail why you must still fold your wash instead of stuffing it in your drawer. Yeah, I know it still looks messy by the time you dig through it every day, but so many other things get “thrown around” here that the laundry will. be. folded.
End of discussion.
Now you know my dirty little laundry secret. Sure it doesn’t always get as clean as when I do it. But it has put the whining down to almost nothing, which makes me very happy. And when mama’s happy, everybody’s happy!
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Carolyn Miller says
I like the way you think! 🙂 I have the kids sort their dirty laundry into separate baskets each evening after showers, but then I do the washing, etc., and they put it all away.
Susan Manuel says
‘Tis the way to do it besides it’s a very good life skill that they should master before they are adults. Your son’s wives will be very grateful to you in the future.
Living in the Shoe says
I thought of that, Susan!
Beth Cover says
This is really good to know 🙂 I thinking that it might be my new Protocol. Sarah is such a go getter she will do just fine