Expert's Guide: How to Keep Up with Laundry

 

Introduction

Are you glad you just finished doing a load of laundry but dread how short-lived the satisfaction lasts? Do you feel like clothes pile up faster than you can clean them? Let's take Catherine's experience as an example.

She has two young kids and works a full-time job. She simply does not have time and energy to keep up with the ever-increasing pile of dirty clothes that appears in the laundry basket. Even though she spends a good chunk of her Sunday in the laundry room, she is not satisfied with her current routine – there are always more garments to toss in the washer or items that require ironing and folding.

Luckily, Catherine began using the below tips to deal with dirty laundry and started to turn this ritual into a more efficient and even enjoyable endeavor. 

10 Tips to Keep Up with Laundry

1. Use a Divided Laundry Sorter: This is a simple change you can make, but one that will save you countless hours in the long run. Instead of having laundry hampers in everyone's rooms and going around to collect piles every week, use a divided one. The sorting (whites, colors, delicates) will be done for you and ready to be placed in the washing machine. This will not only save you time but also preserve the quality of your clothes.

2. Create a Schedule: Set specific days and times for laundry and adhere to them. For instance, you can designate Mondays for clothes and towels and Thursdays for bed linens and blankets. This ensures your laundry room organization is maintained while preventing the pile from accumulating. You can also set specific times if your appliance allows, such as loading the machine the previous night and programming it to run first thing in the morning.

3. Do Smaller Loads More Frequently: You don't need to fill your washer to the brim to run a load. Prevent feeling overwhelmed by breaking it up into more manageable volumes over the week.

4. Shop with Laundry in Mind: If you find yourself shopping for new clothes, make sure to consult the item's care tag and laundry symbols. Make your life easier by staying away from hand wash-only or drying rack-only garments where possible. Also, consider the fabric and how easy ironing will be.

5. Pre-Treat Stains: A stain remover pen should always be handy. Treating spills immediately will help reduce the time needed to hand wash those stains on laundry day.

6. Enlist Help: If you have mountains of laundry to do, you are likely not the only person in your household. Get help from your partner or children, whether it be sorting or making sure everything is folded properly. This will not only lighten your load but also teach children and teenagers the valuable skill of doing laundry. 

7. Have a Lost Socks System: Avoid losing socks during the process and use a mesh bag for all your socks. This will prevent them from disappearing when placed in the laundry room, washing machine, and dryer.

8. Hang Clothes Right Away: Take your clothes out of the dryer as soon as they are done to avoid wrinkles. This will reduce time spent on the ironing board and will keep your clothing looking in top condition. 

9. Embrace Multitasking: While your washer or dryer is running, you can keep working on other tasks to make the most of your time. For instance, you can sort socks, fold clothes, iron, wash dishes, or do other chores.

10. Make Laundry Fun: Be creative and find ways to make this chore more enjoyable. Maybe you throw on a podcast or audiobook while you work. Perhaps you spoil yourself with a glass of wine during the cleaning ritual. You could even call a friend during your folding and as you put your washed clothes away in the closet or drawers. 

Laundry Supplies to Always Have at Hand

When it comes to doing laundry, having the right supplies handy can make the task much easier. Here are some essential laundry supplies to always have in your laundry room:

• Detergent: Choosing the right detergent is crucial in ensuring that your clothes come out clean and fresh. Whether you prefer a liquid, powder, or pods, make sure to select one that works well for your family's needs. Consider factors such as scent, stain-fighting power, and compatibility with different fabric types. There are also natural and sustainable detergents that you may consider.

• Fabric Softener: If you enjoy the feeling of soft and cuddly clothes, opt for a fabric softener or dryer sheets. These products not only make your clothes feel cozy, but they also help to reduce static and wrinkles, making ironing a breeze.

• Stain Remover: As mentioned above, having a stain remover pen or spray can be incredibly useful. Whether it's a coffee spill, grass stain, or ink mark, a good stain remover can work wonders in removing those pesky blemishes and keeping your clothes looking their best.

• Bleach: Bleach is a powerful whitening agent that can help restore the brightness of your whites. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully and use it sparingly to avoid damaging your clothes.

• Laundry Hampers and Baskets: We went over why divided laundry hampers can be a hack above, but having multiple baskets to place folded clothes is a convenient temporary (and organized) laundry room storage solution until you put the clothing away.

• Hangers: Make sure to always have some plastic hangers for items requiring air drying. This will ensure wrinkles are kept at bay.

• Mesh Bags: A mesh laundry bag is a must. We have referenced it above to keep track of socks, but it can also be used to protect delicates (such as athleisure or underwear) in the washer.

• Iron and Ironing Board: Whether it's a dress shirt, a pair of pants, or a delicate blouse, having these tools readily available will ensure that your clothes look crisp and wrinkle-free. Take the time to learn proper ironing techniques to achieve professional-looking results.

By implementing these tips and ensuring you have the right supplies at hand, you'll be well on your way to keeping up with the laundry and saying goodbye to laundry hassles. With a little effort and planning, you'll have clean and fresh clothes whenever you need them.

However, if you don't have the time or energy to work through your laundry pile, consider a laundry service to take care of this for you, such as Rinse. Our customers claim that we give them 3 hours back per week while leaving their clothes clean and crisp.

Explore our comprehensive wash & fold and dry cleaning services, and let us tackle those stains, ensuring your clothes look as good as new. Your wardrobe will thank you!

Contact us at Rinse today to see our skill in action.