Let's talk laundry

[eryn]

I usually do a few loads a day. With 6 of us, one being a toilet training toddler, another a 4yr old who wets his bed sometimes, and DH who wears AT LEAST 3 changes every day, I have a LOT of washing to do. SO I just constantly plug away at it, but it's never done.

[Judianne]

When my kids were little they would help me sort and fold. I did not care if it was perfect. we would sit and talk and have fun. Learning colors and a life long skill.

When they were old enough to reach the lint tray in the dryer it was their job to empty it after each load.

When they wer old enough to touch the controls, they were taught to run the machines and then became responsible for their own clothes. Usually by the age of nine.

My hubby is responsible for the sheets, table cloth and towels.
The kids for their own clothing, not done, choose something else to wear.
I am responsible for mine and hubby's clothes, uniforms for teams and making sure we haveenough soap and softnter.
Each child has their own laundry basket. And on the back of their doors is a towel rack, where they hang their towels everyday. Yep, each kid has their own color specific towel.

Once when my daughter figured out that she could wear everything in her closet before having to do laundry (4 weeks of stinky dirty clothes). I took her outfits down to 2 pair of jeans, 2 pair of dress pants, 4 pair of shorts, 2 dresses, 2 skirts, 5 short sleeve shirts, 5 long sleeve shirts, 5 sweater/sweatshirts, 7 camis, 8 bras, 8 underpants, and 16 pair of socks. she quickly learned to do her laundry more frequently.

I also am a stickler, that if it is on the floor, then you don't care about it or want it and it is gone.

With 2 adults working full time, and 3 kids, everyone has to do thier share.

[Sharyn]

We do loads daily - we are in company housing and the washer is a small front loader that takes over 2 hours to do a load so we have to do at least 1 - 2 loads a day. Last thing at night I put a load of the kitchen towels and washcloths on.

I too have my 4 children do their own laundry. This includes sheets and towels though occasionally DH makes a raid on their bathroom and does them a bit more often.

That said we just banned our 15 yo DD from doing the washing..LOL. We found she was doing it when the basket got full - for all of them including her older brother! Dh told her to leave their washing (she can do her own) and not tell the others. The boys are supposed to do theirs and the girls theirs - together. Anyway it was about 5 days before the older bro realized he has nothing left to wear. "He" couldn't find any of his shirts. LOL. So that was a quick lesson.

I am thinking I need to employ some of Judianne's tips.

Hubby and I share our clothing washing. He washes his oil and diesel covered overalls once a week, and also does our sheets.

Yes - I am one lucky girl.

Just let;s not talk about the ironing.

[Cherry Limeade]

Loving hearing about how you all handle this! I am also glad that I am not alone in doing multiple loads a day...