If you’re part of a large family, you probably already know how challenging it can be to stay on top of housework, especially laundry. At times, it can seem never-ending, and before you know it, you’ve got piles of clothing surrounding your home. Thankfully, while it’s always something that has to be done, it doesn’t have to be so overwhelming. You just need to have a routine in place so that it’s always kept under control.
Want to learn more? Below we will talk about ten laundry tips and tricks for large families.
Let’s get started!
Use the right supplies
Laundry will always be more complicated if you’re not using the right supplies. While you might think that any old detergent is good enough, you could be causing more work for yourself. For example, pre-soaks can help take out tough stains more easily. Certain machines may also operate better with a specific type of detergent.
Get the family involved
While you might manage most of the housework, that doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. For instance, if your children are old enough, have them assist you with doing the laundry. You could even set a weekly schedule that rotates. For instance, one person may be on folding duty while the other can hang out the washing. If everyone works together, it won’t seem like such a big task.
Having trouble encouraging your children to clean? Try:
- Easing into each task.
- Helping until they are confident.
- Praising them for their effort.
- Being consistent with your requirements.
You can find some other great tips here.
1. Write down laundry instructions
To ensure that all your items are washed correctly, remember to write down laundry instructions on a piece of paper and stick them onto your machine. This way, if someone forgets, they can quickly look at what settings to use.
From towels to darks, lights, and delicates – there is no reason why someone isn’t able to complete a load. Just make sure you keep your supplies restocked too!
2. Set laundry days
Washing everyone’s clothing together can get a little complicated when you have a large family. It can take hours to sort through everything, especially if you have children that are a similar size. To prevent mix-ups, aim to set every member their own laundry day.
This way, clothing isn’t accumulating, and it won’t add up to be such a big job. It’s even better if everybody can do their own!
3. Label clothing
If having separate laundry days doesn’t work for your family, another tip you might try is color coordinating. This is where you choose a color for each family member and put a dot of that color on each clothing tag.
Then, when it comes time to sort, your children can simply grab what they need. It’s that easy!
You can also use multiple dots. For instance, your oldest child may have three dots, and your youngest one. As they grow, clothes can be handed down based on age.
4. Wear clothes multiple times
Not every item of clothing needs to be washed after one use. If things have only been worn briefly and haven’t gotten dirty, you can wear them again before placing them in the laundry basket.
This is a good lesson for your children too. While they tend to get messier than us, they may not need a new pair of pajamas or bath towels each night.
5. Utilize lingerie bags
Do you find that you are always missing socks? Or do you hate the process of matching them up? That’s where lingerie bags come in handy. Just throw them inside, and you’ll be able to hang them out on the line in their pairs. It’s a simple step that will make life a lot easier. Not to mention you’ll save money too.
You might also consider buying plenty of socks in the same solid color. This way, you’ll always be able to find a match.
6. Clear out your wardrobe
One of the easiest ways to reduce your washing is to clear out your wardrobe. The less you own, the less you have to clean! If you’re unsure where to start, try the KonMari Method. If an article of clothing doesn’t spark joy, it’s time to let it go! The 1-in-1 out method is also a popular choice. If you purchase something new, you have to find something in your closet to let go of.
7. Swap out summer and winter clothing
Speaking of your wardrobe, another wise idea is to swap out your winter and summer clothing each year. You can store one season away so that the amount of clothing in your wardrobe is reduced. This will stop you from wearing unnecessary items and make it easier to keep your closet tidy. It can also prevent your children from pulling out everything and playing dress-ups!
I’ts best to do this while you’re having a clearout. It will be easy to pick and choose what items you want to donate as you’re sorting.
8. Use a dry-cleaning service
Lastly, if you don’t have the time or energy to do laundry, outsourcing is always possible. Dry cleaning services will handle all of the hard work, and you’ll have your clothes returned to you folded and cleaned. But that’s not all. There are even companies out there that will pick up your clothes and drop them off back at your home. You don’t even need to leave the house!
Final Words
And that’s it! If you are getting behind on your laundry, the above tips can help you get back on the right track. The key is to be consistent and make sure you consider all of your other household tasks as well. This way, you won’t get so overwhelmed. What do you think? Do you have any other tricks that you would like to share?
Also read: Obligatory Things to Know Before Shopping for Clothes
