laundry help

[AlwaysMoving]

You have 5 kids, all old enough to do laundry. Do like the Duggars. Buddy them up and let them do the laundry.

 

[Metsfan520]

You have 5 kids, all old enough to do laundry. Do like the Duggars. Buddy them up and let them do the laundry.

Yes, exactly. Any kid over the age of 13 can do their own laundry, If up to now the kids haven't been doing their own laundry, now is the time to start. Bring them all into the laundry room/space/whatever, show them how to use the machines, then set up a schedule when they can do their laundry. Going forward, that is what happens.

 

[Metsfan520]

And if your husband doesn't know how to do laundry, teach him too.

 

[ilovemk76]

After being quite sick with kidney stones and then back to work, I have fallen so behind on laundry that I probably have easily 10+ loads not including changing bedding.

What is the quickest way to get it all done?
Small loads that dry faster???
or my usual....largest loads I can do (huge capacity washer/dryer) although it does take longer to dry a load than wash??

Get your three teen boys, teen daughter, tween daughter and DH off the couch and Doug laundry. My DH does laundry and would never let 10 loads plus sit waiting for mento get better.

 

[scrapquitler]

After being quite sick with kidney stones and then back to work, I have fallen so behind on laundry that I probably have easily 10+ loads not including changing bedding.

What is the quickest way to get it all done?
Small loads that dry faster???
or my usual....largest loads I can do (huge capacity washer/dryer) although it does take longer to dry a load than wash??

When I get that far behind, I get completely overwhelmed. Then I get annoyed that I have to spend all day working on laundry. So my solution is to grab my coin jar, toss all the laundry into the car and head toward the local laundromat. I bring my laptop with me (there's free wi-fi) I stop at Dunkin Donuts and get myself a coffee on the way. I toss everything into the gigantic washers there and spread it around into reasonable size dryer loads. In about 1 1/2 hours, I've got it all washed, dried and folded (and sorted as I dry it) . I'm relaxed, caffeinated, and caught up on my email, and most important, the laundry is all finished!

SO much more pleasant than spending all day doing it at home.

 

[C.Ann]

How about you send the kids to the laundramat - and let them pay for it too? At their ages there is absolutely no reason in the world why they should not know how to do laundry by now - and it's really sad that they let it pile up that way while you were ill - and then heading back to work.. Time for some tough love!

Hope you feel better..

 

[Maryr1]

My dd (age 11 at the time) was speaking rudely to me about her laundry not being done when my 12 year old niece turned to her and said-"do your own laundry, then you'll know where your shirt is." and that was the LAST time I did her laundry. Period. My neice got a big hug and a really nice birthday present that year! My husband got his last load of laundry done by me when I put all of his neatly folded clean clothes on the bed for him to put away and I found them tossed into the dirty hamper the next day-still folded. I am all for helping out and going the extra mile but when they start to take advantage-well all bets are off. I don't miss the extra work and it has been years since I have had to do their stuff. Oh and don't bother asking about the time my husband complained about how I was washing the good glassware-lets just say I hope he enjoyed that last drink out of them!

 

[C.Ann]

My dd (age 11 at the time) was speaking rudely to me about her laundry not being done when my 12 year old niece turned to her and said-"do your own laundry, then you'll know where your shirt is." and that was the LAST time I did her laundry. Period. My neice got a big hug and a really nice birthday present that year! My husband got his last load of laundry done by me when I put all of his neatly folded clean clothes on the bed for him to put away and I found them tossed into the dirty hamper the next day-still folded. I am all for helping out and going the extra mile but when they start to take advantage-well all bets are off. I don't miss the extra work and it has been years since I have had to do their stuff. Oh and don't bother asking about the time my husband complained about how I was washing the good glassware-lets just say I hope he enjoyed that last drink out of them!

LOL.. Love it!

 

[Swan4Me]

I find towels take forever to dry, so I put one or two in regular loads!


Hope the family starts helping you

 

[robsmom]

I have had the exact oppostite going on. DH had surgery a few weeks back and is still recovering. He usually does all the the laudry. No way would I have just let it pile up for him. I stepped up and did the laundry and used it as a chance to show my 12 year old how to put the detergent in and start the washer. DS and I also took out the trash, took the cans to/from the curb, did the grocery shopping on our own, carried in the bags etc. Family illness is a great time to show your kids how capable they really are and to teach them some responsibility.

 

[englishteacha]

I agree that your kids and husband should help with the laundry. I understand that it could get tough having everyone doing their own if all of a sudden EVERYONE is out of socks/underwear. Then it's a Gladiator battle for the washer! But I think everyone doing their own laundry is the way to go, really. They're all old enough.

I used to do my DH's laundry, and I got so fed up with his "I don't have any socks" statements. I'd wash it, dry it, fold it, and all he had to do was put it away and bring his laundry to the washer to be washed. He wouldn't put it away or bring it to the washer. So I said, "Enough." He now does his own.