Laundry Overload: How Simple Systems Can Stop the Never-Ending Pile
1. Scheduled Laundry Days (Because “Whenever” Isn’t Working)
This is my favorite method and the one we’ve used for over 20 years in our busy household. If laundry is constantly overwhelming, setting specific laundry days can help. Maybe Monday is for towels, Wednesday is for kids’ clothes, and Friday is “Oh no, I forgot to do my own laundry” day. Having a plan keeps things from spiraling out of control. If you’re interested in how this method works, I’ve put together an explainer video here on how this works in our household and how it can work for you.
2. Get the Kids Involved (Yes, Really!)
Even young kids can help with laundry. As parents, we are called to train our children up in responsibility and life skills that will serve them well into adulthood. Teaching them how to manage laundry isn’t just about clean clothes—it’s about instilling discipline, independence, and the understanding that caring for their needs is essential to life. Sorting socks, carrying baskets, or even starting the washer are simple tasks that teach responsibility and lighten your load. Plus, if they complain about folding their clothes, they might begin to appreciate the magic of the “no-fold” system. Our youngest daughter started learning how to do laundry at the age of 3 with a bit of help, and now that she’s eight, she takes care of her laundry on her own.
3. The No-Fold Method (AKA “Good Enough is Good Enough”)
I’m a bit neurotic about how my drawers look because being able to find exactly what I am looking for when I need it saves me a ton of time, but folding being optional. Yes, I said it. Do you need perfectly folded pajamas? Do you need everything to be lined up perfectly in your drawers? If the answer is no, try using labeled baskets for each family member where clean clothes can go straight from the dryer instead of stressing over it. This saves time and prevents the dreaded “floordrobe” situation, or “the chair”, you know…the one stacked with clean clothes you pull from when you need a new outfit.
4. Sorting as You Go (Because No One Has Time for Sorting Marathons)
Make laundry easier by keeping separate hampers for lights, darks, and towels. Ok, now I’ll admit this hasn’t worked for our family, and let me tell you why- it’s not that sorting takes longer, but in the end, clothing gets mixed up between family members, so redistributing clothes becomes more complicated. For a single person or a couple, this might work out well because when it’s time to wash, you can grab a load and go—no tedious sorting required.
Bonus tip: train the kids to use the correct hamper if you’d like to try this one. (Results may vary.)
5. The 5-Minute Rule (Because Small Wins Add Up)
Set a five-minute timer and tackle one step of the laundry process—switching loads, folding a handful of clothes, or matching socks. You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done in just a few minutes (and how much easier it is than letting it pile up).
6. Minimize the Wardrobe (AKA Less Clothes = Less Laundry)
If your kids are changing outfits five times a day for no reason, it might be time for a wardrobe reality check. Fewer clothes mean less to wash, fold, and put away. Plus, it reduces decision fatigue—a win-win. We’ve lived frugally for years, and our family LOVES receiving hand-me-downs. The friends in our circle have always appreciate the gently loved clothing given to their fast-growing children. If sharing isn’t an option, donating those items to your local church or charity will be much appreciated.
Give Yourself Grace
Laundry will never be truly done. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. So whether you’re rocking a full laundry routine or just trying to remember to switch the load before it starts smelling funky, you’re doing great.
Here’s to keeping the laundry piles manageable, the socks (mostly) matched, and our sanity intact.
If you’d like to get a digital download of a schedule template, you can use it for your family here.
