Laughing Laura�s Laundry System

Here are some laundry tips that have helped us:

 

A front loader washer

As a family of eleven, we have prematurely aged at least 3 washers and 2 dryers.� Our last purchase of a front loader washer has been the best improvement so far.� I'm not sure if the clothes are cleaner but they get done faster because the front loader spins them out so well (and uses less water).� This makes for less drying time and helps the washer and dryer cycles be in sync at load switching time.

 

Labeling clothes

We use a color code for each person to label clothes as well as other things in our home.� For clothing with tags, we sew a zigzag stitch with the child's color on the tag to show who owns the clothes.� When it is time to pass that garment down we, stitch rip the zigzagged thread and re-label for the new owner. For underwear, we do a zigzag stitch on the back waistband. For socks, we use the top stitch of the button hole function on my sewing machine.� We make a small but repeated stitch on the upper edge of the sock which is just enough to see but not enough to be a distraction.

 

Grid shelves and color coded dishpans

We found these shelves at a website that sells shelving and display items for businesses.� You buy the cubes and joining pieces in whatever size and quantity you need.� For our laundry sorting area we have 4 cubes by 3 cubes made with 14 x 14 sides. A rubber mallet helps to assemble them.� In each cube is a color coded dishpan for a bin to hold that person's laundry.� This helps even the young children be able to sort loads.� When the clean clothes get out of the dryer, the child checks the color code on the clothes and puts it in the right bin.� We have an extra bin for kitchen linens and bins on top for sheets and towels.� This system has helped us very much.� It could also be used for toys, school supplies or in an entry area for outside things.� And as modeled in the photo, it makes a great nesting box for cats.

link for shelving

http://www.robertham.com/cgi-bin/displays.cgi?category=plastic_grid_panel

(site also sells mannequins, you may need caution for little eyes)

 

Adult back up for laundry jobs

My husband is such a big help in getting our laundry done.� He sneaks in late at night and early in the morning to keep up with what the children may have left undone.� I tease him and call him the "Laundry Fairy".� My household assignment is being adult back up for the kitchen jobs when they are falling behind or in need of adult supervision which I guess would make me the "Kitchen Sink Fairy".�