As our family has grown, we've found ourselves looking at different systems and methods that work better for our family as things change.
This has meant finding ways to make everyday tasks more manageable while also giving our kids more independence and autonomy.
As a result, we've made quite a few changes to the way we organise clothing. One thing we've implemented for our littles is the dump bin method. I'm not the one who created this method, but I have adapted it to work for our home and family.
Fundamentally, the dump bin method is a no-fold way of storing clothing. We have labelled bins for different clothing categories, where we simply "dump" the items into their associated bin.
For us, this means having the following bins accessible to the child who owns the clothing:
Undies
Singlets
Shorts
Pants
Each bin is labelled with an image and text underneath to make identification easier for all ages.
Tops are hung on a lower bar in the wardrobe, making them accessible for independent dressing.
Pyjamas (both tops and bottoms) are hung together on one hanger. The bottoms are folded over the straight bottom section of the hanger, with the top placed over the top section. This means each set stays together and is easy to grab when it's time to get dressed.
When putting away clothes, we encourage the child to put away their own clothing with gentle guidance and support.
Initially, we identify the item together, find the matching bin and help them place the clothing in the correct spot. As they get a little older and have more practice, they can gradually start completing the task independently.
By involving them in putting away their own clothing, we're giving them a sense of pride and ownership while also helping them understand where to find their clothes when it's time to get dressed.
Hanging clothing usually requires a little more support and practice, but it's another skill they can gradually develop as their confidence and abilities grow.
The goal isn't perfection or having beautifully folded drawers. It's about creating a system that works for our family, makes everyday routines easier and gives our little ones the opportunity to develop independence through everyday tasks.
We've also made changes to how we manage our family laundry and clothing inventory. I've shared more about those systems in separate posts if you'd like to see how everything works together.
