What are your laundry hacks?

lucille · 01-15-2008, 06:43 AM

We have a temporary set up in our utility room for doing laundry. In the next year we are going to permanently finish the space and want to make it as efficient for processing laundry as possible. We have sorting bags and baskets, then washer & dryer with flat tops for laundry folding space. A small shelf above for soap and laundry goods. A larger shelf up higher with laundry baskets on their sides for putting clean folded clothes into. Then there is one of those portable hang up racks that we put things to air dry on. We also have a metal wire storage shelf system (the chrome restaurant kind) that holds extra cleaning supplies, paper towels, light bulbs etc.

One area that is not working smoothly is folding, sorting and getting laundry back upstairs. We certainly need to rethink and streamline that system. Sorting isn't working perfectly either. Right now we have a three compartment sorter with a shelf above it holding another basket for clothes that need special treatment. Your always trying to not bang your head as you pull things out of the sorters. The room really needs better lighting and I am considering putting a small extra TV with cable hookup on the wall as a motivator to be down there folding on laundry day.

What have you used to streamline doing laundry?

rstlne · 01-15-2008, 07:17 AM

I've been extraordinarily lazy with laundry. I don't fold, sort, or use a dryer. After washing, I hang the clothes on an indoor clothesline. Then when I need a change of clothes, I just get them from the clothesline.

Milehimama · 01-15-2008, 07:20 AM

We have a family closet - the kid's clothes are stored in the laundry room and in a hallway off the laundry room. Towels are stored in the bathroom (our linen closet is teeny tiny).

You can see it here:
Mama says...

(I hope I'm not breaking a rule by posting a blog link. If I am, I apologize!)

Also, doing 2-3 medium loads works better than one supersized load - it's easier to get it folded and put away right away. (Our dryer is kinda old so a supersize jeans load might have to be run through twice; this ensures I only have to run the dryer once.)
(I rent and can't have an outside line for drying clothes)

I do a LOT of laundry - at least 3-4 loads per day, so anything that helps me keep up is welcome!

Joanne · 01-15-2008, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucille

What have you used to streamline doing laundry?

Asking my kids to do it.

Seriously...

We're a family of five and have lots of laundry. I found that paying a little extra for good detergent is a must. We like Tide. I stock up when it's on sale, especially if I have coupons.

We always do a full load and mostly use cold water. I also try to line dry as much as possible. We fold towels while we're doing other things like talking or watching TV.

Also, I try and do active meditation while doing laundry. I use that time to reflect and do deep breathing. I also use that time to appreciate my children. They do most of their own laundry but when I do it for them, I think about how thankful I am that I have three beautiful and healthy children in my life. Also, I love doing my youngest child's laundry because I pause and appreciate her small socks and tiny shirts because one day they won't be that small.

alex · 01-15-2008, 10:42 AM

Back in high school, I used to walk (walk!) to school with a friend, and I'd wait in his living room while he got dressed. He was never ready to go because he had to iron everything. Even his tank tops. Which he wore under another shirt.

That's just wasted energy and time, I thought. Plus, I was always late for first period.

When I do laundry, I save time by not folding my boxers. I also try to hang everything, even t-shirts.

Megan · 01-15-2008, 12:22 PM

I live in an apartment and pay to wash and dry my clothes, so I try to get as full a load as possible before I do laundry.

As for the folding, my trick is to always save a good tv show on the DVR until it is time to do laundry - then I can sit and fold and watch television and enjoy myself. And if the folding gets done before the show ends? Well, then I get to sit back and watch the rest of the show.

purplefdu · 01-15-2008, 05:42 PM

We rent as well. We use the older double/triple dryers which are $3 each instead of $3.50-4 for the new ones. Fits everything in the hamper for each of us. We use two dryers as well. $6 to wash and $2.50 to dry. I fit the puppy laundry/sheets/towels in with my laundry since I don't wear much around the house. Husband has to fit his clothes and uniforms. We use concentrated detergent so we are willing to drag it around. We fold there and run errands while it washes/dries so we aren't sitting around bored. Folding is done before we leave, and there is a TV (actually two) there so husband can watch his Sci-fi while we fold. He normally ends up folding less and watching more, but it gets done. Total time=3 hours to grocery shop for the week and do laundry.

Anthony Marrone · 01-15-2008, 06:21 PM

I have serious laundry issues. We cannot run our washer and dryer simultaneously without the power going out. An electrician came over once and said he couldn't find the problem. Has anyone else experienced this, and do you have any suggestions?

smartgrrl! · 01-22-2008, 08:56 AM

I live in an old Spanish cottage with seriously outdated wiring--fun and dangerous! I do have a European washer/dryer combo that I love. Washes and dries in the same machine. Of course the loads are small but so am I

I pull out half the load, hang it, and dry (partially) the heavier items.
The machine is rated at about $4 a year in electrical use--and I got rid of the gas line for the old dryer as the dryer works via condensation, not by heating your clothes to death. It's very cool.

lucille · 01-22-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartgrrl!

I live in an old Spanish cottage with seriously outdated wiring--fun and dangerous! I do have a European washer/dryer combo that I love. Washes and dries in the same machine. Of course the loads are small but so am I

I pull out half the load, hang it, and dry (partially) the heavier items.
The machine is rated at about $4 a year in electrical use--and I got rid of the gas line for the old dryer as the dryer works via condensation, not by heating your clothes to death. It's very cool.

What brand is it? I looked at those LG all in one washer/dryer machines.

01-15-2008, 06:43 AM	#1
lucille Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 366 Reputation: (19)	What are your laundry hacks? We have a temporary set up in our utility room for doing laundry. In the next year we are going to permanently finish the space and want to make it as efficient for processing laundry as possible. We have sorting bags and baskets, then washer & dryer with flat tops for laundry folding space. A small shelf above for soap and laundry goods. A larger shelf up higher with laundry baskets on their sides for putting clean folded clothes into. Then there is one of those portable hang up racks that we put things to air dry on. We also have a metal wire storage shelf system (the chrome restaurant kind) that holds extra cleaning supplies, paper towels, light bulbs etc. One area that is not working smoothly is folding, sorting and getting laundry back upstairs. We certainly need to rethink and streamline that system. Sorting isn't working perfectly either. Right now we have a three compartment sorter with a shelf above it holding another basket for clothes that need special treatment. Your always trying to not bang your head as you pull things out of the sorters. The room really needs better lighting and I am considering putting a small extra TV with cable hookup on the wall as a motivator to be down there folding on laundry day. What have you used to streamline doing laundry?

01-15-2008, 12:22 PM	#6
Megan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 277 Reputation: (39)	I live in an apartment and pay to wash and dry my clothes, so I try to get as full a load as possible before I do laundry. As for the folding, my trick is to always save a good tv show on the DVR until it is time to do laundry - then I can sit and fold and watch television and enjoy myself. And if the folding gets done before the show ends? Well, then I get to sit back and watch the rest of the show. __________________ A Dollar a Day

01-15-2008, 05:42 PM	#7
purplefdu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eliot, ME USA Posts: 357 Reputation: (22)	We rent as well. We use the older double/triple dryers which are $3 each instead of $3.50-4 for the new ones. Fits everything in the hamper for each of us. We use two dryers as well. $6 to wash and $2.50 to dry. I fit the puppy laundry/sheets/towels in with my laundry since I don't wear much around the house. Husband has to fit his clothes and uniforms. We use concentrated detergent so we are willing to drag it around. We fold there and run errands while it washes/dries so we aren't sitting around bored. Folding is done before we leave, and there is a TV (actually two) there so husband can watch his Sci-fi while we fold. He normally ends up folding less and watching more, but it gets done. Total time=3 hours to grocery shop for the week and do laundry. __________________ Homeward Bound Puppy Blog&Shades of Purple My coupon site list & organic grocery coupon help

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01-15-2008, 07:17 AM	#2
rstlne Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 359 Reputation: (105)	I've been extraordinarily lazy with laundry. I don't fold, sort, or use a dryer. After washing, I hang the clothes on an indoor clothesline. Then when I need a change of clothes, I just get them from the clothesline.

01-15-2008, 07:20 AM	#3
Milehimama Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 116 Reputation: (13)	We have a family closet - the kid's clothes are stored in the laundry room and in a hallway off the laundry room. Towels are stored in the bathroom (our linen closet is teeny tiny). You can see it here: Mama says... (I hope I'm not breaking a rule by posting a blog link. If I am, I apologize!) Also, doing 2-3 medium loads works better than one supersized load - it's easier to get it folded and put away right away. (Our dryer is kinda old so a supersize jeans load might have to be run through twice; this ensures I only have to run the dryer once.) (I rent and can't have an outside line for drying clothes) I do a LOT of laundry - at least 3-4 loads per day, so anything that helps me keep up is welcome!

01-15-2008, 10:42 AM	#5
alex Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wilson's basement Posts: 100 Reputation: (59)	Back in high school, I used to walk (walk!) to school with a friend, and I'd wait in his living room while he got dressed. He was never ready to go because he had to iron everything. Even his tank tops. Which he wore under another shirt. That's just wasted energy and time, I thought. Plus, I was always late for first period. When I do laundry, I save time by not folding my boxers. I also try to hang everything, even t-shirts.

01-15-2008, 06:21 PM	#8
Anthony Marrone Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Syracuse, New York Posts: 56 Reputation: (18)	I have serious laundry issues. We cannot run our washer and dryer simultaneously without the power going out. An electrician came over once and said he couldn't find the problem. Has anyone else experienced this, and do you have any suggestions?

01-22-2008, 08:56 AM	#9
smartgrrl! Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 8 Reputation: (10)	I live in an old Spanish cottage with seriously outdated wiring--fun and dangerous! I do have a European washer/dryer combo that I love. Washes and dries in the same machine. Of course the loads are small but so am I I pull out half the load, hang it, and dry (partially) the heavier items. The machine is rated at about $4 a year in electrical use--and I got rid of the gas line for the old dryer as the dryer works via condensation, not by heating your clothes to death. It's very cool.