Six Organizing Systems Everyone Needs — System #1: Doing Laundry
How well are your organizing systems working for you?
In the introduction to this series I shared the following:
What is a system?
What 6 organizing systems do I think everyone needs?
What 5 questions can you ask yourself to see if your systems are still working for you, or if they need tweaking?
Now let’s take a closer look at each system…
What is your system for getting the laundry done? Does it need tweaking? Click To Tweet
System #1: Doing Laundry
WHO is responsible for laundry — You? Another family member? Everyone for themselves?
WHAT are the steps – collecting dirty clothes, sorting, washing, drying, folding, and putting them away? Do you have enough of the type of laundry hampers or baskets your family likes and actually uses? Is there a handy supply of laundry products?
WHEN and HOW OFTEN? This depends largely on how much laundry you generate. You can do it a bit at a time – a load of laundry into the washer one day, move it to the dryer the next, put away the next day — or several loads on “laundry day”. But if you don’t keep it moving at a pace that suits your family it will pile up and become overwhelming.
WHERE should the laundry hamper(s) be located – Bathroom(s)? Bedroom(s)? Is there a clear surface for folding clothes? Sufficient storage for laundry supplies? WHERE will you put the clean clothes? Do closets and drawers need to be purged and reorganized to make things easier to put away and find again later?
WHY do you need a system for processing laundry? So everyone has clean clothes to wear. So the floor is not littered with dirty clothes, and every other surface is not covered with clean clothes. So you can relax, knowing exactly how and when you’ll get the laundry done!
What are your challenges and tips for getting the laundry done?
Please share in the comments below!
Six Organizing Systems Everyone Needs — Intro
Next System: #2 Doing Dishes
If you need help tweaking your systems, or implementing new ones, ask a friend or call a professional organizer.
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Thanks. Barb and I have worked out a routine for laundry, but have never really discussed it. We will now.
I’m glad the post has prompted you to discuss laundry at your house, Phil! You have a system that is working for you, but sometimes things change and the system needs to change too.
[…] Laundry 2. Dishes 3. Launch Pad 4. Flow of Paper 5. Flow of Things 6. Getting Stuff Done […]
Thanks for linking to my post!
Laundry can be a heavy burden in a busy household. There are many possible “right” approaches, but it is good to have some sort of system in place. I love these questions because it helps you think through all aspects of the process, including where to put the dirty clothes when they come off at night. Little kids can do a lot when it comes to laundry, so loop them in early:)
Good point about involving the kids. It not only teaches them useful habits, but it also makes your job easier!
I deal with all the laundry, but over the years, bringing the baskets to the basement has been injuring my wrists so I am having the kids and my husband bring down the clothes and sort them. Then, all I am doing is placing them in the washer/dryer. I do this task once a week and usually, I am doing something else like work while it is going on. If I am not able to do the process my husband picks up the slack. If neither of us can do the laundry, my kids do it when they are around. I think this process will change when my son and daughter are in college. I’m looking forward to that change. Thanks for the reminder to review this system.
I actually like doing laundry (it’s a nostalgic comfort), up to the point of folding and putting away. I’ve finally found the perfect place for my dirty laundry basket (that I think is pretty), in the bedroom, right outside my bathroom door. I’m more and more successful at getting everything in it. I have a designated “laundry day,” on Tuesdays. I recently acquired a more functional chest of drawers and that’s helping with getting things to their proper place. I’m seriously surprised at how much that helped.