This summer was busy, but with fall quickly approaching I know that things are going to get even busier. Hayden is back in school, several holidays are coming up and before I know it, there will be 2 more babies in our household. I have a feeling I’m going to know a whole new version of the word BUSY.
One thing I struggle to keep up with in our household is laundry. Now, I definitely don’t mind doing laundry especially since we received our Whirlpool Duet Washer and Dryer last year. But it can get overwhelming even with only 3 people in our household. At least we are finished with potty training!
With the twins coming in just a few months and a toddler running around the house, it’s time to get organized! Here are a few tips that are working for us so far!
Get Rid of the Clutter
We had several tubs and hampers surrounding our washer and dryer filled with miscellaneous clothing. Some of the items were clothing I knew we would never wear so I wouldn’t bother washing and just leave there. Mixed in with the clothing were stray socks and next to the tubs was an overflowing trash can.
We got rid of the extra tubs and hampers and left a basket for socks missing their pairs and also a basket for action figures, loose change and whatever other items I find in pockets.
Detergent Pacs
With my Whirlpool Duet Washer, I love having the Precision Dispense Ultra where I’m able to pour in my laundry detergent and get up to 36 loads of laundry done before I have to fill it again. If you don’t have this option, try the new Detergent Pacs which let you just toss it in the washer and go. No more pouring laundry detergent for each wash and they even have detergent pacs for HE washers.
Fold Clothing Right Away
I’m hoping it’s not just me, but I tend not to fold my clothes right away. Then they end up being a wrinkled mess and I end up having to throw them in the dryer again (because I’m not ironing my toddler’s shirts!). I’ve been folding the clothes as soon as they are out of the dryer in addition to throwing in a laundry detergent sheet to make sure that it’s not wrinkled and to get rid of it cluttering our house.
Don’t Wash Those Towels
Well, wash those towels but not everyday! Just like if you’re staying at a hotel, you don’t need to wash your towels daily. Save some time and energy by using them several times before throwing in the washer.
Delegate and Get Help
My four year old loves being a “big helper” and I bring him with me help load the clothes since we have a front-loading washer and dryer. It’s right at his level and he loves being able to help. When I bring the clothes up to be folded and it’s all three of ours mixed together my son helps to sort what clothing belongs to who.
Once I get a bit farther along in my pregnancy, I’ve already warned my husband that he is going to have to help me bring down and up the laundry into our basement. I’ll be happy to fold though! I’m also thinking of somehow installing a laundry chute from our bathroom to our laundry room downstairs – how easy would that be?
Thanks to having the Whirlpool Duet Washer and Dryer, we are not only able to save time but also money since the ENERGY STAR® qualified 4.3 cu. ft. capacity washer uses up to 83% less water and up to 85% less less energy and saves over $2,200 in lifetime water and energy costs!
The 7.4 cu. ft. capacity dryer uses up to 82% less water and up to 86% less energy and the New Duet® dryer save $1,100 in lifetime energy costs! There’s nothing I like more than saving money while doing laundry!
What are some of your tips to help simplify your laundry routine?
Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Whirlpool and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Jennifer Young says
Uhh, we struggle with laundry too! One thing that helps me is keeping each person’s clothing separate in different laundry baskets. This way it’s easier to figure out whose clothes are whose when I’m putting them away. My almost 3 year old and almost 5 year old’s clothes are the worst to tell apart because they can wear a lot of the same sizes, lol! I like your idea about folding clothes right away! That’s definitely something I need to work on!
Lolo says
I need to start folding clothes right away too. Sometimes I leave it in there so long that I wash them again to get the wrinkles out. Bad! lol
Kasandria Reasoner says
I’m like you about folding my towels, but am trying to do better. That washer and dryer set is so prett!
Kas
Ellen Christian says
Clutter is so huge. I really work at that. I try very hard to stay on top of it all.
Heather ~ Acting Balanced Mom says
Clutter is what I’m really bad at too… so I make a point of getting everything out of my laundry area once a month – I even move the washer and dryer to clean underneath as best I can…
Darcy says
We reuse towels and I hate folding clothes! I’m really bad about putting them away. I’ve been thinking about adding a chute too..too much up and down while carrying laundry baskets and keeping an eye on my 2yr old.
Rita says
I dont iron unless it is a Special occasion, which is extremely rare. I wear them wrinkled. No 1 looks at me or cares. Clothes nowadays rarely wrinkle anyways. I hang up all the clothes right away. No folding for me except certain things. I learned these because I Really needed a little extra time! so I thought of the above ideas.
!-))
marina says
My problem has always been folding clothes, We now have a system into place where the clothes HAVE to be folded as soon as they get out of the dryer else they’d never get folded at all 😉
Jenn @therebelchick says
I wish I had some tips to share about simplifying my laundry routine…but I hate doing laundry! LOL
Jessica A says
Oh my! These look beautiful and maybe, just maybe, if I had these, I would actually enjoy doing laundry?! Just maybe… 🙂
Becca - Our Crazy Boys says
I LOVE those Purex sheets with detergent and fabric softener included. It makes it easy for the kids to help me do laundry!
Kerri says
Great tips! I love ways to be energy efficient.