Laundry Tip #1: Create a System For Regularly Sorting Laundry
Problem: I don't have time to collect and sort my kids' laundry.
Solution: Purchase three or four laundry baskets and create a laundry sorting area in your home. Label one basket "whites," one "darks," and one "mixed." If you have a fourth basket, label it "delicates," for items that need to be hand-washed. Show your kids where the system will be located, and how to use it. Initially, you're probably going to want to walk your kids through sorting their clothes each evening, but with time, they'll be able to sort their own laundry independently. This way, you can easily see when a load needs to be done, and put it right into the washer without having to pre-sort.
Laundry Tip #2: Pre-Treat Stains Immediately
Problem: I don't have time to soak and pre-treat stains.
Solution: Teach your kids how to pre-treat stains. Keep a spray bottle of stain remover near your laundry sorting center, and teach your kids to spray any items that will need special attention, such as food spills or grass stains. In addition, consider keeping a laundry stain stick in your car or purse, so that stains can be treated even before you get home.
Laundry Tip #3: Create a System For Washing Frequently-Used Items
Problem: I don't have the time to wash my kids' sports uniforms in time for game day.
Solution: Develop a schedule for washing sports uniforms so they're ready on game day. This might mean planning to do a load of whites each Friday evening, because you know your son will need his white football pants for each Saturday's game. Alternatively, if you don't have a washer and dryer at home, you'll need to get into the habit of washing needed items in the sink mid-week, so that they're ready for game day. This is also something that you can teach your kids how to do, as well. At the very least, teach your kids to let you know ahead of time when they need their uniform, so that you're not trying to wash it at the last minute.
Laundry Tip #4: Do One or Two Small Loads of Laundry Each Day
Problem: I don't have time to lose an entire weekend day to doing laundry.
Solution: Time your loads around your schedule. Put a load of laundry in the washing machine when you get home, and move it to the dryer after dinner. Or, put a load of laundry in the washer before bed, and move it to the dryer first thing in the morning. If you don't have time to hang them up for fold them immediately, spritz them with clean water and run the dryer for a few more minutes, to eliminate wrinkles.
Laundry Tip #5: Use Time at the Laundromat to Accomplish Other Tasks
Problem: I don't have time to waste sitting in the laundromat.
Solution: Your time is valuable. Get into the habit of bringing to the laundromat a bag of supplies, such as magazines, books to read, and coupons to sort. For your kids, bring coloring books, activity sets, playing cards, and and hand-held video games. While you're waiting for your clothes to dry, use the to relax, read, or play a game together.
