Monday Musings: The Daily Laundry

Last Monday, Samantha shared why she does laundry twice per week. She offered excellent reasons, even explaining why daily laundry doesn't work for her. Two years ago, I actually listed daily laundry as one of my 21 for 2021 goals. We're sharing both of our approaches to laundry because we know it's one of those necessary household tasks that nearly all of us face each week.

Since 2021, with very few exceptions, I have done a load of laundry every day. Oddly enough, I've been battling a respiratory and sinus infection the last few weeks, and this is one of the first times I've deviated from my laundry schedule in 18 months. Ironic, since we scheduled these posts for this time frame! However, the daily laundry "thing" has worked really well for me. Here's how it goes:

1. I keep a hamper in our laundry room that gathers discarded socks, dish towels and clothes from the kids. IYKYK.

2. I do not separate my kids' clothes into colors! This will make some of you cringe, I know. However, it has only come back to bite me once, and that was the result of a tie dye situation. I do wash brand new things according to color, however.

3. I separate adult clothes into darks, lights and reds. Towels and bedding are additional loads.

4. When I do a load of laundry, I always check the catch-all hamper in the laundry room to see what needs to be included.

5. I fold laundry while watching TV or at the kitchen island while chatting with the hubs.

Here's the key to why this works: I only disburse and put things away once or twice a week! Typically, I use a quiet weeknight and one weekday to separate, disburse and put clothing away. It keeps laundry from intruding into our daily lives, while preventing it from becoming an hours-long chore on the weekends.

There are caveats, like vacation, illness and house guests. Then, I do two or three loads a day for a week, and resume my standard routine. I don't get to enjoy the satisfying feeling of empty hampers everywhere, but I don't ever feel like I have to give up anything to complete the household laundry. It works for us!