Laundry System for Family and Ways to Keep it Under Control

Laundry isn’t that scary, you know. But, as a family of four, we do have days that those hampers get filled up pretty fast. Which family doesn’t? Finding the laundry system that works for your family can make or break this chore.

We do our fair share of getting our clothes cleaned, washed, and put away. When my kids were little, I, of course, have a different laundry system for our family with babies and toddlers. However, that changed now that my kids are growing and getting more responsible.

I’ve experimented with different systems and finally settled in our ONE DAY laundry system.

What? A whole day of washing, drying, and sorting/folding? Am I crazy? It sounds scary, exhausting, and tedious?

Now, let me tell you that even though it feels like it’s a whole day of laundry, it isn’t that bad, and it works for us. Saturday is our Laundry Day unless there are new clothes that need to be washed right away. 

Our family of Four ONE DAY Laundry System:

A day of washing, folding, and organizing.

I start in the morning with four loads. I usually do the kids’ laundry first. Next, I grab one hamper from my daughter’s bedroom then load the light clothes first, followed by the colored ones. While that is ongoing, I finish my morning daily cleaning tasks. 

After the first two batches of washing and drying her clothes, I load the 3rd and 4th batch: my son’s clothes. Again, the light followed by the colored garments. 

Next thing, I fold my daughter’s clothes with her help. She sorts out little socks, underwear, and I do the rest. Once done, we both quickly put away her clothes and remove the decluttered extra or grown-out clothes (if it’s purge time).

By the time we finished, it’s time for my son’s clothes to be folded and organized. This part is getting me excited.

Why?

My son had been folding his clothes. Then, when he was around four years old, my husband made him a made-shift folding helper out of old cardboard. Then, he and my husband had a folding teaching moment one afternoon, and that was a game-changer. 

We still have the folding helper cardboard for my daughter to use now.

So, while my son folds his clothes, I load our bedsheets, pillowcases, and blankets. Then, I make or reheat our lunch, and we enjoy a nice lunch together.

Here’s another important part:

My husband’s work schedule is set, so if he’s at work that weekend, he does his laundry the Monday after or Friday.

Yes, you read that right!

He does his laundry, plus our bath towels are washed weekly. He washes his work clothes separate from the rest and done last. This laundry routine just worked out that way for us. He has his laundry routine and system, and I’m okay with that. Less work for me, right? 

Back to my laundry system, after lunch clean-up, I resume the washing of my clothes and other hand towels, cleaning rags, etc., in the afternoon. 

I’ll finish my other chores between loads while the kids have their downtime, playtime, and whatever we assigned that day to do. 

It’s been an excellent working laundry system for our family for years. But, of course, there are exceptions to this system – in vacations, travels, weekend plans, and other events. We adjust laundry day accordingly. If one of us (me or husband) is ill, the other will assume the laundry task—teamwork for life.

This system is flexible enough and doesn’t have to happen on the weekend. I think we chose Saturday because we were working full-time nurses when we started this out. So, we stuck to it till now, even as I transitioned into a stay-at-home mom last year.

Related post: Cleaning Routine for a Stay-At-Home Mom That You Actually Can Stick To

Is it doable to do it in ONE DAY?

Depending on what’s going on with your home life, your kids’ age, and other responsibilities, it can be pretty doable for a family to do it this way.

As I remind anyone who reads my blog, this is not something that you SHOULD do, and this is my account of what works for our family. If your family laundry method works excellent for you, that’s awesome, then stick to it.

However, if you’re still looking for a laundry method to try and not get stressed out during the week/weekend, this system can be a game-changer for you and your family. 

Tips for Getting your Family Laundry System Organized:

#1 Give your kids attainable laundry tasks.

Let them start their wash load and drying with instructions (Download and Print this Laundry Cheatsheet for kids here).

Have the kids sort out small items: socks, underwear.

Also, let them fold their clothes.

Let them help sort newly washed clothes and organized their closet.

The bottom line, you can teach your kids how to do the laundry from start to finish at an early age. Supervisions for younger ones and detailed instructions for the older kids.

#2 Place one hamper bin with a divider for every bedroom. 

This way can tremendously help when it’s time for laundry day. The bin is already split into two: LIGHT and COLORS. You can check out this trash container turned laundry bin we’re using in our home; I think we got it from Walmart.

Before dirty laundry leaves each bedroom, they are already sorted – a big time-saver for me.

On a different note, working in healthcare, we’ve set up another laundry bin out in the garage for removing work clothes before entering the house.

#3 Set expectations for laundry organization.

Kids need to understand that keeping their closets tidy is their responsibility too.

Yes, keep everything tidy. This one is still a challenge for my daughter – she likes to change clothes multiple times a day, and we are working on that end. Do you have a mom tip for this?

If there’s a stained clothing item, mom needs to know right away. Don’t hide or dump around.

No clothes on the floor, please.

#4 Make it fun for kids. 

We are sorting with colors.

Sorting per category items.

We are keeping the folding fun by listening to music or play a name something of the color game.

Extra tickles for kids when grumpy faces emerge. It always works.

#5 Keep laundry in check.

Everyone can wear some clothing items twice like pajamas, jeans (unless soiled), and hoodies. 

Mommy Sniff Test? Anyone? I’m not kidding here.

Next, towels get washed once a week. The bedsheets, bedcovers, pillowcases, and blankets also get cleaned weekly.

#6 Declutter your closets: Keep or Donate.

This method is a huge game-changer. When you haven’t worn clothing items in a year, it’s time to have a sit-down with those piles. Start a decluttering routine.

Getting clothes into minimum number and not buying clothes out of whim helps keep organization more manageable and have clutter-free closets.

Schedule a day or two in a month to do a PURGE ROUTINE from all closets in your home. Place them all in a box/clear bin labeled with what season wear, and the rest DONATE. So, thinning out everyone’s wardrobe can help laundry under control. 

#7 Stick to a system that works.

When you know what works for your family in tackling laundry, it’s great to be consistent about it. Although, I said earlier that experimenting first with what works and finding an effective method – can take you to great lengths in cutting down hours or days of laundry tasks. 

There’s nothing wrong with switching laundry systems, especially when there are changes at home: family dynamics, kids growing up, work-related limitations, etc.

Laundry Hacks I can share with you that are working for our family:

• Use color catcher sheets if you’re planning to wash all colors PLUS a red item. I’ve had my shares of blotches of red stain to other clothing items. Then, prevent it from ever happening again. 

• If you don’t need a HOT wash cycle, you don’t have to use it. Cold cycles are an effective washing option for your family’s clothes. But for other seriously soiled items, check the recommendations first. Sweat and blood can get set in the fabric when washed with hot water. 

• Sanitizing laundry goal: may use Hot water to help kill the bacteria/virus, especially if someone in the family is sick. That includes sheets, towels, and clothing items.

• Pre-treat stains before washing. For blood – apply hydrogen peroxide directly on the stained area, then run cold water afterward – then wash. For pee, poop and vomit – use baking soda, spray with a 1:4 ratio of water/hydrogen peroxide solution, then rinse with cold water – then wash. If it hasn’t entirely resolved in one try, repeat the process and check again. 

• In order to get rid of any odors and residues left in clothes or washable items, you can add ½ cup of baking soda along with your chosen detergent and start the wash cycle usually.

• For little ones’ or baby socks, use a mesh bag during washing and drying. We know how these cute items can be – they can turn into endless mismatch socks and missing ones.  

• Wool dryer balls are great for sensitive skin; use them instead of dryer sheets. This method also helps keep your towels fluffy. 

• Laundry Stripping: for garments or items that can withstand HOT water temperature. But before you do this method, please check the labels of your clothing or items. Make sure you use protective gloves and ventilate your bathroom well.

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Laundry Essentials:

• Laundry Detergent Liquid, Powder
• Dryer Balls or Dryer Sheets
• Color Catcher Sheets
• Fabric Softener
• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Bleach
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Laundry Stain Remover
• Spray Bottles
• Laundry Hampers (something similar)
• Folding Hampers
• Small Trash Bin
• Containers for Other Items
• Clothes Pin for Sun Drying
• Hangers
• Laundry Mesh Bag

Friendly Reminder: Keep all products away from younger kids. Always have direct visual supervision when they’re doing laundry wash/dry.

Related Post: Cleaning Supplies Checklist You’ll Need In Your Home

Mastering your Family Laundry System is Key

The good thing about a family laundry operation is flexibility. You can alter any method you find interesting and customize it according to your family’s needs. Find a laundry routine that’s effective and helps your time management.

There’s no one-fix way to do laundry in any home, the best thing is for you to practice consistency, and it’ll become more manageable.

As your kids grow with age, they will be able to help out, and your homemaking laundry routine doesn’t have to be complicated.

If you are willing to try this ONE DAY Laundry System for your family, let me know how it goes for you. 

Do you have any laundry system tips to add? How frequently do you do laundry at home? What are your effective ways to tackle the laundry at home? Let me know in the comments.

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