Everyone is looking for a way to save time. In my mind time spent doing housework is wasted time. I could use that time to spend with the people I love or pursuing hobbies I enjoy. So I’m always looking for ways to streamline, to get things done. These tips may not make for perfection, but they will be good enough.
I’m going to start with laundry. From the dirty clothes hamper back to the drawer or closet there are little things you can do to save time.
The first thing I do is sort the laundry as I go. I have a huge linen closet so I have baskets lined up at the bottom, lights, darks, whites, jeans and towels. After I use or wear something I put it in the appropriate basket. This way I can do a load as needed instead of waiting until the weekend, dumping it all out and sorting it. A load a day cuts down on the drudgery of doing all your family’s laundry at one time.
Help your family develop the habit of putting clothes in the hamper ready to wash. Turn clothes right side out, or inside out if the item might fade. Close zippers, fasten buttons and empty pockets. This saves you time at the washer and let them know that if they don’t do this they will get the items back exactly as they went into the hamper, and you will keep any money left in the pockets.
I no longer mate socks, or fold underwear and bras. I bought lingerie bags at the dollar store and wash socks in one, bras in one and panties in one and empty the bags straight into the dresser drawer or a bin in my closet. If you have several children, give them each two lingerie bags one for socks and one for underwear. No more sorting and trying to figure out whose is whose.
Ironing is not high on my list of favorite things but I’ve cut it down by only ironing what will be seen. If I’m wearing a button down shirt under a sweater, I only iron the collar and cuffs. If I’m wearing a blazer, I only iron the front of the shirt. Another ironing saver is to hang clothes up immediately from the dryer, they will stay wrinkle free.
Finally, make everyone responsible for putting away their own clothes. If you wash, dry and fold them, the kids can put them away. Just make sure they don’t think they can come into the laundry room and take what they need or you will be left with a lot of clean, unfolded clothes on the floor while they dig through the basket to find what they want.