From Overwhelm to Organized: 6 Laundry Lessons to Simplify Your Routine
Let’s be honest—laundry can feel like a never-ending chore. For years, I found myself staring at piles of clothes, wondering how I could ever catch up. With two daughters (the beans) keeping me busy, laundry would sneak up on me until I had baskets overflowing, and honestly, it was overwhelming. Sound familiar?
Over time, I’ve discovered a few strategies that have transformed the way I handle laundry. Here are six lessons I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) that have helped me feel more in control, and I hope they can do the same for you. Let’s dive in!
1. Embrace the Fold
Folding clothes used to be my least favorite part of laundry. I could wash and dry without a problem, but when it came to folding, I’d procrastinate until I had a mountain of clean clothes waiting for me. The trick I learned? Embrace the fold as part of your laundry routine, not an afterthought. Try folding clothes straight from the dryer while they’re still warm. Turn it into a calming ritual—put on your favorite show or some music, and make it a time for yourself. Once I stopped dreading folding and started weaving it into my day, the whole laundry process became less of a burden.
2. Turn Laundry Day into a Ritual
Laundry doesn’t have to feel like a chore if you turn it into a ritual. Whether it’s a weekly laundry day or spreading it out throughout the week, make it a mindful experience. I realized that when I set a specific time for laundry, it no longer felt like a task hanging over my head. While some of us do loads on the fly, there’s power in turning laundry day into a consistent, intentional routine. Light a candle, make a cup of tea, and settle into the process. Transforming laundry into a self-care moment can change how you feel about it!
3. Sort As You Go
One of the biggest game-changers for me was sorting laundry as I go. This simple habit saved me time sifting through piles of clothes on laundry day. Now, the beans and I have separate baskets for whites, colors, and delicates. Not only does this make laundry quicker, but it also reduces the mental clutter of laundry buildup. You can even get your family involved in the process—this lesson has helped my daughters become more independent in managing their own laundry!
4. Delegate & Share the Load
Here’s a truth I’ve learned over time: you don’t have to do it all alone. Laundry is something we can delegate, especially within our families. The beans are part of the process, whether it’s sorting, folding, or putting their clothes away. Giving your kids or partner specific tasks can help share the load and make laundry less overwhelming. Remember, delegating isn’t about perfection—it’s about teamwork and letting go of the need to do it all yourself.
5. Time Your Loads
This one might sound simple, but it’s helped me tremendously: time your laundry loads. Set a timer on your phone when you start a load to avoid forgetting about it. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to rewash a load because I forgot it in the machine. Timing your laundry keeps you on top of the cycle, making it part of your rhythm rather than something you’re constantly remembering (and forgetting!).
6. The Half-Load Mindset
Laundry overwhelm often comes from the sheer volume of clothes we’re dealing with. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is what I call the half-load mindset—being okay with doing smaller, more manageable loads instead of waiting until the laundry piles up. By tackling half-loads, you reduce the overwhelm and can stay more consistent with your routine. Less laundry per load means it’s easier to fold and put away, which brings us back to the first lesson—embracing the fold!
Finding Calm in the Everyday
Laundry doesn’t have to be a constant source of stress. These six lessons have helped me create more calm and consistency in my home, and I hope they do the same for you. Remember, it’s okay if your laundry routine isn’t perfect—it’s about finding what works for you and your family. Start with just one small shift, like sorting as you go or timing your loads, and see how it transforms your laundry process. You might be surprised by how something as simple as laundry can bring a little more calm into your everyday life.
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