home laundry solutions

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Washing clothes is one of those chores that need to be done consistently so you do not fall behind. Finding home laundry solutions that can help make this daily chore easier will help put this on auto-pilot, keeping you on top of the clothes you need to wash.

Tips for living a simple life that help you to set up efficient routines so you can enjoy more down time doing the things you love.

Laundry is a task that most of us can’t escape from, and it seems like no matter how much we do it, there’s always more to be done. From sorting clothes to folding and putting them away, laundry is an ongoing process that often takes up a good chunk of our time.

When my boys were younger the amount of clothes in our laundry room was baffling. How four small boys could muddy up so many pairs of pants was beyond me. And rather than spend hours upon hours doing the wash I went looking for ways to streamline this routine chore.

In addition to being time-consuming, laundry can also be expensive when you take into consideration the cost of detergent, electricity or gas for washing and drying, strain removers, and other supplies needed to get the job done.

Luckily, with a few simple solutions and tips on how to save money, doing laundry at home can become a breeze. We’ll look at a few of our favorites as well as a couple from our grandmothers that might just change your entire laundry routine.

Home Laundry Solutions – to Save Time

First, let’s take a look at a few tips that will help you cut back on the amount of time it takes to do laundry. From routines to shortcuts, each one will help shave off some of the time and stress this chore can bring.

Be sure to grab the FREE Laundry Routine Guide below!

#1. Create a Routine

Having a routine for doing laundry can make it easier to stay on top of things. The trick is to find a routine that fits you and your time of life. For laundry, you have a few options. Let’s look at two of the most common.

Daily Laundry Routine

A daily routine consists of doing a load of laundry each day. This will keep you on top of the clothes without getting behind. From start to finish, a daily routine will take about 10-15 minutes to complete all the way to done.

Here’s how it works:

1. As your morning coffee is brewing, go to your laundry room and remove any clothes from the dryer.
2. Transfer any wet clothes to the dryer, hanging up any delicates.
3. Start a fresh load of laundry.
4. Take the clean clothes to your folding area.
5. Fold and put away
6. Take any dirty clothes to the laundry room so you have it ready to go.

Read our full Laundry System for tips on how we set up our own routine.

Weekly Laundry Routine

A weekly routine consists of doing the entire household in one day. This will keep the laundry chore off your daily to-do list, allowing you to work on other things. From start to finish, a weekly routine will take a full day, depending on the size of your family.

Here’s how it works:

1. Gather up all the dirty clothes and take them to your laundry area.
2. Sort out by color or by family member.
3. Start washing the first load.
4. Set a timer on your phone so you know when to start the next load.
5. As clothes are dried, take them to your folding area and fold them one load at a time so you do not get overwhelmed.
6. Continue until all the clothes are done.
7. Put everything away.

Family Member Day routine

A variation of the weekly routine is family member day. Now that our kids are grown and on their own, this is the system I use for my husband and I. On Thursdays I do all of my laundry and on Sundays I do my husbands. This works out really well as it usually only takes 1-2 loads for each of us making it a quick way to keep up.

Here’s how it works:

1. Have a hamper in each bedroom.
2. Assign a laundry day for each person.
3. On that day do the laundry.
4. Fold the clothes and return them to the hamper.
5. Put the clean clothes in the room to be put away, or if you have younger children you can put them away with their help.

Cleaning Checklist BundleCustomizable Cleaning Routine Sheets.

 

#2. Get Help

Let’s face it, all these dirty clothes were not made by you alone! Get your family to help by having them be responsible for their own clothing. The age of your children will determine how much involvement you give them.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Young children – Can help gather up dirty clothes.
2. Mid-aged children – Will be responsible for getting their dirty clothes to the laundry room and putting their own finished clothes away.
3. Older children – Will be responsible for their clothes entirely. This includes washing, drying, and folding.

#3. Organize Your Laundry Room

A well-organized laundry room will make your laundry routine run more smoothly. Keeping the clutter out will also give you more room to move around and do this chore without getting frustrated.

Here are a few tips to help you get organized:

1. Have designated baskets or hampers for each family member’s dirty clothes.
2. Use shelves or bins to store laundry supplies, such as detergent and dryer sheets.
3. Hang hooks or a hanging rack for wet clothes.
4. Keep a small trash can nearby for lint and other debris.
5. Consider installing counter space if you are able.
6. Label shelves and containers to easily find what you need.
7. Purchase a hidden hanging area for clothes that need to hang dry.

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Having an organized laundry room will make a bigger impact than you may realize. I have found when my area is messy and cluttered I tend to put off doing clothes. When things are neat and put away, it allows me to get in and do the task without getting distracted.

Create a new habit of neatening this area up after you are finished to keep things organized and put away.

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Home Laundry Tips to Save Money

Next, let’s look at a few tips that you can use to help save money in the laundry room.

#1. Treat Stains ASAP

When stains set, they can be next to impossible to remove, costing you money with a ruined outfit. To help, have a routine for addressing stains quickly. Here are a few tips:

1. Always keep stain remover on hand.
2. Treat the stain as soon as possible.
3. Follow the care instructions on the garment for best results.
4. Use natural remedies, such as lemon juice or white vinegar, to remove stains.
5. Consider investing in a good pre-treating spray for tough stains.

SLCG Pro Tip: Did you know that baby wipes are amazing at getting out stains? I keep a travel pack in my purse as well as in my car. Baby wipes area gentle and work great to clean a new stain. I have even completely removed spilled coffee from a white pair of pants only using baby wipes!

#2. Use Cold Water

By using cold water instead of hot water, you can save on your energy bill. Most modern laundry detergents are formulated to work just as well in cold water, so don’t be afraid to make the switch.

Be sure to check the instructions on any expensive pieces to ensure you are not risking damage to an item.

#3. Dry Clothes Outdoors

Take advantage of sunny and breezy days by drying your clothes outdoors instead of using the dryer. This can help reduce your energy bill and also prolong the life of your clothes by reducing wear and tear from high heat.

The sun is a natural deodorizer and will giver your clothes a fresh scent.

#4. Use Less Detergent

Most people tend to use more detergent than needed, which can add up over time. Start by using a 1/4 less to see how your clothes smell and if they are clean. Continue cutting back until you find an amount that does the job without using too much.

#5. Reuse and Repurpose

If you use fabric softener sheets, you can cut them in thirds or in half and still get the same results without using a full sheet.

When a fabric softener or detergent bottle is empty, fill with a cup of water, shake and use. Many times you can get one or even two more cups this way.

#6. Stretch your Fabric Softener

You can stretch the life of your fabric softener and remove the need for fabric sheets with this one simple tip.

1. Invest in a bucket with a lid and pour your fabric softener into it.
2. Fill the bottle up with water and gently shake.
3. Pour into the bucket a put on the lid.
4. Repeat steps 2-3.
5. Place a few sponges inside of the bucket.
6. When drying clothes: Wring out one of the sponges and add it to the dryer.
7. When washing clothes: Use 1/2 cup of watered-down fabric softener as usual.

With just a bit of setup, you can eliminate the need for fabric sheets and save money on liquid softener. Additionally, this method is also more environmentally friendly as it reduces waste.

#7. Upgrade to Energy Efficient Appliances

When it’s time to replace your current washer and dryer, consider investing in energy-efficient models. While they may be more expensive initially, they will save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bill. Plus, they are better for the environment as they use less energy and water.

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With just a few changes to your laundry routine, you can have clean clothes without sucking up all of your time. Try out a few of these tips and see which routine works best for you. Be sure to give a few of the other tips a try and save money on your household budget as well.

Keep this list of home laundry solutions in your household binder so you can refer to them anytime you want to streamline how you are washing your clothes.

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