Let's be honest. Laundry is a never-ending cycle, especially with kids. Add fluctuating energy levels to the mix, and it can quickly becomes like Mount Everest if you don't have a system.
Trying to balance actually getting the washing done with washing and caring for each item of clothing correctly has become somewhat of a balancing act.
Over the last few years, I've realised that how overwhelming the dirty washing gets depends a lot on how many items of clothing each person owns, as well as the type of items we buy or are given.
For example, five easy-care, dryer-friendly tops take a lot less energy to look after than one item that needs to be hand-washed and line-dried.
When purchasing clothing or decluttering, I take into account how often a piece will be worn, its intended use and its care requirements. My Goldilocks item is something that will be worn often, is easy to care for and is within budget.
I tend to stay away from dry-clean-only items and only own a few things that aren't dryer-safe. This doesn't mean I always choose to use the dryer for dryer-friendly items, but it gives me peace of mind knowing that the option is there when I need it.
Laundry Is a Whole Process
There's more to laundry than just putting a load in the washing machine. There's the sorting, washing, drying, folding and putting away, then repeating the whole process with the next load.
If you're anything like me, managing all of those steps in one day can be a struggle. Some days I can manage it, but on others, getting the washing clean and dry is more than enough.
So, rather than trying to do everything at once, I've broken the process down into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Baskets on Baskets
My system starts with the baskets.
I have multiple laundry baskets, each with a designated purpose. This means the sorting happens as we put each item into its basket, rather than leaving me with a giant pile of mixed washing to sort through when I'm ready to do a load.
Here's how I've divided them up:
Kids' clothes: A separate basket for the kids' washing.
Dryer-friendly clothes: Items that can go straight from the washing machine into the dryer.
Delicates and hang-only clothes: Items that need extra care and can't go in the dryer.
Towels: Because towels seem to multiply when you have kids!
Miscellaneous: For the odds and ends that don't fit neatly into the other categories.
I keep two of the baskets in our ensuite: the one for dryer-friendly clothes and the one for delicates and hang-only clothes. Over 90% of our clothing is dryer-friendly, which makes this system work well for our family.
The idea is simple: I sort the washing according to how much energy it will take to deal with it and its location, rather than just sorting by lights, darks or fabric type.
Matching the Washing to My Energy Levels
There's plenty of advice about how to sort laundry. Some people recommend separating lights and darks, while others sort by fabric type or washing requirements.
My system is a little different because I consider how much energy each load will take to complete.
On a low-energy day, a successful load of washing is one that can go straight into the washing machine and then into the dryer. No picking out individual items, no standing around hanging clothes and no trying to remember to remove that one delicate top before turning on the dryer.
I can simply tip the contents of the dryer-friendly basket into the washing machine, turn it on and transfer everything to the dryer when it's finished.
And if I run out of energy after that? The clothes are still clean and dry. That's a win in my books.
On a higher-energy day, I might choose the basket of delicates and hang-only items. I'll wash them, hang them out to dry, bring them back in and fold them when I can.
The point is that I get to choose which load to tackle based on what I'm realistically able to manage that day.
One Load at a Time
I try to do one load of washing a day, and having separate baskets makes it easier to decide what to prioritise.
I can see which baskets are getting full and choose a load based on how much time and energy I have available. If the delicate basket is full but I don't have the energy to hang clothes, I can leave it for another day and tackle the dryer-friendly basket instead.
The baskets act as a visual cue, reminding me what needs attention without having to keep everything in my head.
It's one less thing to remember and one less decision to make.
Clean Baskets
I also have two “clean baskets” that are a completely different colour from our dirty laundry baskets. These are for clean, dry clothes that are waiting to be folded and put away.
Because let's be honest, sometimes the washing gets washed and dried, but that's where my energy runs out for the day.
Rather than leaving clean clothes sitting in the dryer or piling up on the couch, I can transfer them into a clean basket and come back to them when I have the energy.
The clean baskets also mean my family can still find clean clothes when they need them, even if everything hasn't been folded and put away yet. The clothes are clean, dry and in a designated spot, so everyone knows where to look.
For me, this is about prioritising function over perfection. Having clean clothes available when we need them is more important than having everything neatly folded in drawers and wardrobes.
It means I can finish one stage of the laundry process without feeling like I have to finish every stage. Folding and putting everything away can happen later, when I have the time and energy.
Another small change that makes the whole system a little more manageable.
Getting the Washing Done Is Enough
For me, this system is about making laundry manageable, not doing it perfectly.
Some days I have the energy to wash, hang, fold and put everything away. Other days, getting a load washed and dried is all I can manage.
By prioritising getting clothes and household linens clean and dry, my family still has what they need, even on the harder days.
And honestly, sometimes that's plenty.
The goal isn't to have every basket empty or every item folded and put away by the end of the day. It's to have a system that works with my energy levels, rather than one that leaves me overwhelmed by everything I haven't managed to finish.
Sometimes, the secret to getting on top of the laundry isn't doing more. It's making the process easier to manage, one basket at a time.
