What’s your laundry policy?
This one is most definitely mine. It’s pretty much my mantra.
I have a serious aversion to laundry.
I can’t decide which I hate more. Cleaning out moldy tupperware from the fridge, or laundry.
Just kidding. I throw the tupperware away. Gag reflex. Sorry not sorry.
So why do our dryers not come with fold-ers? No, really. Get with it, dryer engineer people. That, or will someone please hurry and invent Rosie the robot from The Jetsons? She’s slightly creepy, but I need her. Make it happen, people!
I have a friend who in college, would run out of undies and resort to wearing bathing suit bottoms until she could get around to that ever-dreaded laundry. I consider this nothing short of brilliant. Oh to go back to the days of yore where I was only washing for one. I would complain about hobbling down to the laundromat with my (single) overflowing basket. I was probably missing Dawson’s Creek and life was hard. First world (circa 1999) problems.
I keep hearing that it’s easier to do a load a day to stay on top of the nightmare. But I’m kind of a lazy rebel like that so I would rather spend six days in laundry-free bliss and then pay for it with one solid hour marathon (or three) of laundry purgatory. While I whine about it the entire time. Because that’s how I roll. Also, this is why bad television was invented.
I know there are schedules and programs out there. Every now and then I’ll get on a laundry folding streak where I’m all, Yeah suckas! Check this out! It’s Wednesday, I know where my bra is and my yoga pants collection is in tact…second drawer from the bottom! Holla!
But it’s pretty much like when my three year old can’t find what he wants to wear. I walk into his room with everything he owns sprawled onto the floor while he stands there with a proudly procured pair of shorts in his little hand. This is five minutes after I’d straightened and carefully folded everything. I make him clean it up, which means he shoves it back in said drawers as is. Because that’s obnoxious and I’m tired.
My point? Doing laundry feels just like trying to keep my three year old under control. It’s never done, no matter how you approach it. So in grand celebration of all things survival… I’m a firm believer that there is no right or wrong way to do our laundry, as long as it’s done. Sometimes I think I worry too much about the process and staying on top of things. I’m still amazed that people actually take the time to fold fitted sheets, and I very much prefer the neatly wadded method, but to each his own, right?
At night, the kids pick up the house before bed. And when the house is quiet and they’re asleep, I have two choices. Laundry, or something much more productive with my time like watching trashy court TV accompanied by a good stuffing of the face with dark chocolates whilst perusing the humor section of Pinterest. I’m an excellent multitasker. And I consider it productive day indeed, if the legos are put out of serious injury’s way.
Yep. That’s my policy. In a nutshell.
Enter Method. I’ve heard about Method laundry detergent for years. But I’ve never given it a whirl. I’m a big orange bottle kinda girl from childhood. In a to-the-death, (for Narnia!) loyalty forever kind of way. Also, I don’t wear perfume so I take great pride in the fact that our entire family smells like laundry and baby lotion. It’s kind of my thing. I have the nose of a deranged hound dog. That is, when we don’t smell like feces. {See : un-potty trained 3.75 year old boy.} Or that gross smell when you forget about your laundry and you dry it anyway because you’re short on time and so you smell like moldy washing machine all day. We usually try to opt out of the feces or mold thing.
So I decided to give Method a whirl when they asked us to try it out on my laundry conundrum.
First off, it’s pretty compatible in price with the big wigs in their load size options. (I kind of always thought Method was for rich hipsters and apparently I was very wrong.) It has a delightful scent. It’s fresh and light, and apparently it comes in other flavors.
My favorite part? While it would be fabulous to have pretty jars with powdered detergent all lined up in a row, we have an HE washer. Combine this with massive jugs of laundry detergent and it’s a lethal combination of me hoisting a giant jug over my shoulder and spilling it everywhere. This sounds super ridic, but I’m short and it makes a mess. Method does the job with close to the same amount of loads, but much less girth. I gave it a few quick pumps… did the same with the softener… and tada! Fabulously awesome sweet laundry.
I’m pretty sure if I stick with these little pump bottles as opposed to pulling a muscle the other way, I may save like an hour of time (or something else that sounds completely ridiculous but is probably true) after a year’s worth of laundry. It’s the little things. Literally.
I love that it’s hypoallergenic, and biodegradable from a plant-based formula. Our kids have super sensitive skin, so this floats my boat.
I’m also ashamed to say I’ve never really thought through our impact of dryer sheets on the environment. (Don’t worry about that tupperware comment. I’m too cheap to fill the local landfills with my 6 month old Mexican leftovers. Washing it is. And by washing, I mean I fill it up with water and soap three times while I run away from the sink and squeal and wait for Jamin to do it. Marriage. It’s a well oiled machine.) I just never thought much of it in the past. So simply give your transferred-to-the-dryer laundry a few squirts before running them in the dryer, and you’re golden. Our towels came out just as soft and clean as with the other brands we’ve tried.
Soft and fabulous! I love things that make my life just a little easier.
I kind of needed it since we’ve been on our third round of strep with other rando things sprinkled in between. I’ve been on a bit of an extended cleaning rampage.
But back to the folding…
Do you guys use Method? I think I might actually make the switch.
Right now, They’re having an amazing sweepstakes to win a year’s supply of laundry products. Um, yes please!
Want to win?
• Simply click here (for desktop users)
• or here (for mobile users)
And like their page on Facebook to enter. That’s all! Ya can’t beat it.
So what’s your laundry policy? Are you super organized? A firm believer in regimen? Or a glutton for punishment and dark chocolate like me?
We’d love to hear your approach. And no matter what you do, you’re in good company. Three cheers for the launderers of the house, and everything else you guys accomplish in the meantime. Sometimes, it’s a lot. And you’re amazing.
Have an inspired day, lovelies!
Hysterical. I love it. I’m a dark chocolate glutten for punishment gal as well!
Please don’t hit me but I actually like doing laundry. Well, I much prefer it over other home-keeping tasks such as fixing dinner every night and dusting. LOL I have laundry day every Monday and get it all washed and put away by the end of that day. Then I just do a load if necessary between then and the next Monday. Keep in mind though that I have one kid right now and a husband that wears a uniform everyday.
HAHA! No hitting. It actually feels amazing to get it done! Just like a clean house. ;} It’s what I’m doing today!
I know this may sound crazy, but I DO love the smaller bottles! It really can make a huge difference. I’m actually a scheduled person when it comes to laundry, but I find you a kindred spirit with the whole trashy tv & dark chocolate thing. Moldy Tupperware also freaks me out. LOL!
You do laundry once a week? You’re my hero. haha I can only bring myself to tackle it about once a month. And then I drag it out over about a week. And I only do laundry for myself. The fiancee is on his own! lol
Question about the high efficiency and no powder…are you not supposed to use powder? Because I totally do. I’m pretty much clueless about machine maintenance so any help is great haha
Hey Erin! I’m not really up to par on the whole HE laundry thing but I would definitely look it up. I heard you’re not supposed to. Is it for HE machines? It will usually say on the box/container. Hope that helps! ;}
Thank you for dispelling my fantasy that replacing my old washer and dryer with the gorgeous front loaders will magically inspire me to do laundry. We are a family of five and produce approximately 800 loads of laundry per week. I have not tried Method before, but I may give it a go. If you get any leads on that folding robot idea, let us know.
NOT at ALL! But I’m not a total ingrate. It does make it easier for me to look at??? Still need a robot. ;}
Oh, I’ve never heard of method, but I like not having a dryer sheet, that sounds divine! My laundry schedule is simple…..bribe my hubby to do it!
I know! Dryer sheets are so obnoxious after the fact. They’re all up in my laundry, floating around my house. ;} This is actually really nice not to bother with it!
I am a wash it all in one day kind of gal. Most of my kids clothes are “outfits” and this is the only way that both pieces are clean at the same time. Now, folding does remain optional some weeks (who am I kidding – MOST weeks). The kids all have their own baskets and will wear everything out of their drawers before they begin digging in the baskets to find clothes.
I used to use Method, but now I make my own powdered detergent. I have never bought the standard laundry detergents because I’m super sensitive to scents, and they bother my skin. I use vinegar as a fabric softener.
I try to do laundry every two days so it doesn’t get so crazy. We’re a family of five as well, so you know, there’s a lot of laundry. The best part is that my youngest is almost 5, so now my kids put their own laundry away. It’s amazing. I fold it still, but soon my older kids will be folding their own clothes. That will be a beautiful day.
And I lucked out because my husband irons all of his work clothes. He’s a great guy.
Haha! YES. NO ironing here for Jamin. He does his own too. It’s amazing. ;}
I have never understood all the angst about laundry. I do 3 loads every day. I change sheets every day and don’t reuse towels. I LOVE having everything clean and put away at the end of the day. When my laundry is finished for the day I am still always listening for the dryer thinking don’t I have a load in now? First load of the morning – king size sheets. Second load all towels and underwear and jeans. Third load – gentle clothing some of which is hung to dry. Never have worried about running out of clothing or towels. Just make it a routine and keep it running.
I guess I’m angst-y. ;} But you’re right. It does feel so good when it’s all said and done!
“Done” would be my favorite word you said. ;o)
You was sheets EVERY DAY!!!????? Nobody is that dirty are they!? I feel guilty when I wash things too regularly, after one use, because everytime I turn on the machine and see all that water, and all of the powder polluting it, and knowing it’s going into the environment somewhere!!
I’m with you on hating laundry. I occassionally get some kind of insane laundry bug and go through a day where I wash, dry, fold and put away all of our clothes and it makes me so happy! I did this not too long ago and was literally standing in the doorway to our laundry room marvelling at how amazing an empty laundry room felt when my daughter walked in and dropped her dirty socks on the floor. I basically collapsed on the floor in tears. (In hindsight, I may have overreacted a little bit) š
I actually love doing laundry. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. Not like dusting or cooking. Because someone is always hungry 45 minutes later!
haha so true! ;}
I’m with you on not liking doing the laundry and my husband shows me grace and does it for me.
I am quite the opposite……..I love doing laundry. I love the whole process. I love washing, smelling, drying, folding…..the whole process. When I go visit my youngest daughter, I always tell her to leave the laundry for me……..and I will happily do it for her. Instant gratification!!! L O V E it!!!!!
Bring it on! The more stained, the better.
I’m a fairly routine-oriented gal, so I do have it on my weekly schedule on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Kids’ sports uniforms, if nothing else, kind of dictates that I need to do laundry throughout the week to make sure their uniforms/practice gear is clean and ready to go. About 10 years ago I hit on http://www.flylady.net and adopted some of her policies for homemaking and scheduling it all. It really did help me as a new mom and I’m still really in some of those same habits as a result. Now that the kids are teens, if they want it washed, they had better get it sorted properly and in the right spot or it doesn’t get done. So, having some accountability for the other family members really does help. The kids have been sorting their own clothes when they take them off and putting away their clean laundry since they were tiny, so that helps too.
I do 2 to 3 loads every day. It’s the only way I can keep on top of it all. My washer is usually running at midnight – then I throw the clothes in the dryer when I get up. I have never tried Method washing products. I am currently on a “Make my own” laundry soap and fabric softener kick. I use Borax and Washing Soda mixed with Original Dawn dish soap for the laundry detergent. My softener is hair conditioner, vinegar and water. I am seeing great results and saving a huge amount of cash. When I am ready to return to commercial stuff I will try Method. Good luck! By the way, how old do your kids need to be to run the machines? Maybe you can pay one of them to do it!
My policy? Make my husband do it. The machines are in the old, damp, unfinished basement. Which has spiders. NO way this arachnophobe is doing laundry in some place she might be stalked by spiders. So his choice was to keep the spiders vacuumed up or do the laundry. He picked laundry (oh, shucks *wink*). The teen girl folds it, the big kids and adults have to put their own away. I have to take care of mine, the little’s, and household (like towels). Deal!
I don’t mind doing laundry…well, the part where you put it in the washer and later transfer it to the dryer. The rest? Hauling it to the laundry room – sucks. Hauling it back to our room to fold – sucks. Folding it – ultra suckage. Putting it away in everyone’s room, in appropriate drawers – oh baby Jesus, save me from this damnation! I do use Method sometimes. I totally have to try the dryer spray. I’ve used Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyer’s dryer sheets for a while, but would love to kick the sheet habit all together. Regular dryer sheets are like little cancer-chemical delivery devices for your clothes. Wicked. I think dirty laundry is gross so I run a load nearly every day or so. Then we live out of the unfolded plastic baskets of clothes. The times I actually do put the kids clothes away in their rooms throws them outta whack. They come into our room looking for the Land of Laundry Baskets and are all, “Where’d all my clothes go?!” Oh I dunno, in your room maybe? Messing with my little kids. Good times.
Giggle!!!!
Having had four children perfectly spaced 3 years apart by the time I was thirty, I HAD to have a laundry routine. I did about 3-4 loads a day Including me and hubs, sheets and towels). The part where I always slacked off was having time to fold it so I would let maybe 2-3 days go by and then have a marathon folding session while I watched General Hospital. At least if someone ran out of underwear or wanted a favorite shirt, I could dig through the laundry baskets and find something clean. Anyway, it worked for me!
I am going over the the link, I’d love to give the Method laundry detergent and softener a try.
XO,
Jane
I do 3 loads, every two days!! My husband needs a new uniform for every day, as he wreaks of fish and oil!! and towels are a constant feature!! My laundry is the most awful dark, dingy place – with unfinished concrete floor, crumbling walls, and shelves full of ugly tools, a paint stained laundry sink that is not even attached to the wall, and God only knows what lies behind the machines!! Eeeww! Shiver!!! I hate the sorting of stinky socks and jocks, and sweaty boy clothes, but love the fresh smelling results of washing, and everything being put in its place! I used to be a serious ironer and found it quite cathartic, but after some time, realized my efforts were readily unappreciated – constantly finding washing that was ironed to perfection discarded on bedroom floors/at the bottom of cupboards, after frantic changing sessions!! I would love the mudroom/laundries featured by Sarah and Tommy of Sarah’s house, and I am working on it!! I would imagine there would be much more pleasure working in a beautiful, functional room!!
I’m definitely going to give Method a try. I also have an HE washer and struggle with the big containers. I hate how messy they are. They leak all over and you always have the residue left in the measuring cup.
Yes!!! I thought it was just me š
Thanks for the laugh, over laundry no less. I’ve always been a “college method” do it all in one day, kinda girl. When i had my house on the market it was nice to do a load each day, it really felt like considerably less time… But with a family of four, I usually try doing it as soon as the laundry falls out of the hamper, so three sorted loads about every 4 days. My personal rule is that I must fold and put it away on the same day. Otherwise it will sit in piles until the next laundry day. And this all only happens with trashy tv on.
I also hate laundry! Luckily, the husband is super good about doing things around the house, such as laundry. He’s the type to do a load a day so I’m getting better about it. š I haven’t tried Method cleaning products but have always been curious about them….thanks for the info!
I am the marathon-do-it-all-in-a-weekend kinda gal myself. I know with the newer washers they actually recommend doing laundry every day to keep the things in tip-top shape. Nope, not moi. I try and do equal loads on Saturday and Sunday and if Saturday doesn’t work out then it’s about 6-7 loads on Sunday. I had to laugh because lately my nearly SIX year old has been playing this “game” with her clothes; she takes all her shirts out of her dresser and lays them neatly in rows and then asks me to pick what she should wear. While cute/adorable/”aww” worthy, I cringe because I know I’ll be schlepping them back into her dresser when she’s done (we still haven’t worked out the whole pick-up-your-things-now please routine with that one, does it ever get better???) Love your posts, stumbled on the site about 1-2 months ago! Soon to be mom of 3, all girls (latest due in July) so I’m in the throes of combining the two older girls into a small room with no closet and working full-time, hence marathon laundry weekends. Ugh.
I don’t have Facebook…which is so tough with all of these giveaways, but I’ll still put my name in the hat. With a family of 6 we do a lot of laundry. The kids bring their laundry to the laundry room on Thursday night and I do it on Friday. They put it away when they get home.
I really enjoy laundry. I would do all of my neighbor’s laundry too if someone would just clean my kitchen. THAT is what I hate.
So funny that you should post about this! I have tried a “laundry day” and am so crabby at the end of it especially if I didn’t get done. I’ve recently been trying to do a load everyday and let me tell you, it’s working! I can’t even believe it but for some reason it’s working for me right now. I had no idea my family had that amount of clothing!!!
Upon reading your post ” What’s your laundry policy?” I had to chuckle for two reasons. 1) I say this all the time when doing laundry , please invent a folding dryer. 2)Your mention of Rosie form the Jetsons, this is what I call my Roomba….lol.
HAHA! We are kindred souls. Also, cheers to skipping the laundry this weekend. {I wish that were true} š