Bonjour lecteurs! Is there anything more relentless than family laundry? You finally get to the bottom of the basket, turn around, and it is full again. With half-term in full swing and children at home, the washing machine barely gets a day off. If you sometimes feel like laundry is taking over your life, you are definitely not alone. Here are my best practical tips to keep on top of it.
Family Laundry Piles Up So Quickly
The more people in a household, the more washing there is. Plus, let’s be honnête, children are experts at creating a mess. Clothes worn for an hour, towels used once and dropped on the floor, sports kit that needs washing before the next match… It all adds up.
Then, you want to do a big clean with bigger items. Blankets, duvets, towels and sheets… It piles up quickly.
Get Into a Simple Routine
The best way to stop laundry becoming overwhelming is to do a little and often. One load a day, or every other day, is far easier to manage than a mountain on a Sunday.
My mum used to have a weekly schedule:
- Monday for school uniforms
- Wednesday for towels
- Friday for sports kit before the weekend
- Saturday for bedding
You don’t have to be as rigid, but having a rhythm means you are never too far behind.
Sort As You Go
To make it feel less daunting, it’s also une bonne idée to have separate baskets. We have 3: delicates, lights, and darks.
When a basket is full, it goes straight into the machine with no sorting needed. Ask the kids to put their clothes in the right one, et voilà!
Plus, you are teaching them a long-term life skill.
Let the Children Help
Laundry is a brilliant way to teach children responsibility. Even little ones can match socks, carry clean clothes to their rooms or fold tea towels. Older children can learn to run the machine, hang washing and put their own clothes away. Let them do it a bit. They can’t rely on you for everything.
It might not be perfectly done, but that is fine. C’est la vie! The important thing is that everyone takes part and the job does not fall on one person.
Cut Down on Washing
Not everything needs washing after every wear. Jeans, jumpers and pyjamas can often be worn a few times.
I also change bedsheets and towels once a week.
Encourage children to put any clean clothes back, rather than throwing them in the basket. It will reduce your workload significantly.
I barely iron either. We both work from home, so we don’t wear crispy shirts. Plus, I usually fold the clothes straight away from the line. If it’s creased, I love using my steamer. It’s very satisfying and quite therapeutic, actually! Don’t laugh, I am sure I am not the only one.
Know When to Get Help
Sometimes, no matter how organisée you are, there is always something. A new baby, a busy work period, illness, or the school holidays can all tip the balance. In those moments, there is no shame in getting some help.
Laundry services are a growing option for busy families. Par exemple, you can book The Laundry Lady Adelaide online for a pickup and next-day delivery service. C’est absolument parfait: it covers washing, drying, folding and ironing, as well as bedding, duvets, linen and towels.
Also worth checking out, especially during busy weeks or for bulky items.
Do Not Forget the Big Items
Duvets, pillows and blankets need washing too. But they are bulky and often too big for a home machine.
Get them to your local cleaner and you will feel like in a new home. A good spring clean twice a year is worth a look.
A Calmer Approach to Laundry
Laundry will probably never disappear completely from family life. But it should not be a constant source of stress. With a simple routine, a bit of help from the children and support when you need it, the laundry basket can stay under control.
And if it does overflow from time to time? Do not worry. Every family has those weeks, and the washing will still be there tomorrow. Bonne chance!
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