Tackle The Laundry

When it comes to laundry the horrors are endless; huge mountains of dirty clothes and heavy baskets that threaten to land you in the chiropractor’s office.  But while laundry may never be one of your favorite activities, it can be made less daunting. Here are some smart and helpful tips on how to get through it all.

Not Enough Hours for All The Laundry

Your best bet and a great value is using a laundry drop off service. By using a drop off service you'll no longer have to buy laundry detergent, you'll save on both your gas and water bills, and you'll have plenty of time for other priorities in life. If that's not an option, try breaking up the process into small tasks that can be undertaken at different times.

Don't Lose Your Entire Weekend to Laundry

Create a schedule that divvies up the work throughout the week, such as sheets and blankets on Monday, darks on Wednesday, and Lights on Friday. Or wash each child's clothes on a different weekday.

Carrying the Wash Breaking Your Back...

One load typically weighs eight to ten pounds, and some bags and baskets hold two or more loads. You can try a roomy bag or backpack that fits over your shoulder or if you prefer a basket, choose a flexible model, which can mold to your body and is easier to schlep than a stiff one. Minimize back strain by holding the basket close to your body at waist level.

Why Not Ask Your Child to Help with the Laundry

Preschoolers can help you sort by color and can gater clothing items off the floor. But once children are old enough for grade school, they can take on more responsibility with some assistance from you. For six to eleven year olds consider posting a list of laundry reminders above their hampers. For example:

• Turn your clothes right-side out before throwing them in here.
• Pull your socks off from the toes.
• Have you checked your pockets???

Be Sure Stains Get Pre-Treated Before They Set In

Stash a pretreatment product, like spray n Wash in or near each hamper. Tell family members to treat stains right away this will save you a step when you wash. Plus the sooner the stain fighter goes on the more likely it is that the spot will come out.

Speed Up Washing and Drying

Wash a load, immediately toss stuff in the dryer, and repeat. once the machine is warmed up subsequent loads will dry faster. Start with lightweight clothing and end with heavier items, like towels, which won't be damaged by the heat that builds up in a hot dryer drum. And don't over or underload the dryer. shoot to fill it up about halfway for maximum efficiency.

Consider using shorter cycles. The light setting is optimal if clothes have been worn just once or twice and aren't stained.

We're not picky about our kids' clothes so sorting lights and darks feels like a waste of time. Wash all the clothes together in cold water. There are some cases in which this is not a good idea, for example, whites that need bleaching.

Folding Without Coming Undone

Remember it's not about perfect piles and precise corners. It's about making the clothes easier to transport and getting them to fit in your drawers. These tips will help you get the job done faster.

Get Comfortable;

While Folding: It's best to fold on a large table that's about waist high. If your're prone to backaches, place a thick rug or an antifatigue mat on the floor. A cushioned surface is easier on your legs and promotes blood flow to the muscles.

We spend precious time folding shirts only to have them get messed up when thry're stuffed into drawers. When folding clothes, consider the space you'll put them into. If your drawers are deep, fold clothes into rectangles to take advantage of that. If they're shallow, fold clothes in squares so they don't get scrunched up.

If You Hate to Fold;

Hang all that you can. When you take clothes off a hanger to wear, put the empty hanger at the front of the closet. Then when you need to hang up clean clothes, you can easily find the free ones. You can also save time by choosing to fold fewer items. For example, simply roll up T-shirts and jeans. Stack and toss workout clothes, baby onesies, and bras in bins. And lay small children's T-shirts flat in a drawer, they're nearly too small to fold anyway.