Wash and fold

[edk35]

I've thought about this before, but realized that what I really need is a put-the-laundry-away service. I'm fine with washing and folding. It's the ferrying it all around to every room in the house that I hate!

ME TOO!!!

 

[swilshire]

The cost estimates sound very high. $5 in water would be a third of my family of four's total water bill. $15 in detergent would do nearly a hundred loads if you buy the detergent on sale (which it seems to always be).

10 hours of time sounds like a lot, but I walk by and throw in a load which takes a couple of minutes. I hang a lot of things, so it takes maybe 5 - 10 minutes to hang them up and put the rest in the dryer. Maybe 10 minutes to fold a load. I'm not sure I could capture those minutes and do anything with them that would give me a lot of pleasure. I try to do a load or two in the evening so it doesn't pile up for the weekend.

Of course, it's your money and you should spend it however you please. It just wouldn't be my choice. I'd rather use it for something more lasting than clean clothes.

Sheila

 

[sk!mom]

I've thought about this before, but realized that what I really need is a put-the-laundry-away service. I'm fine with washing and folding. It's the ferrying it all around to every room in the house that I hate!

That's what kids are for!

I dislike most housework, despise grocery shopping, but actually almost enjoy laundry except for the putting it up. From the time my kids were 4, they were resposible for getting their laundry to me along with their empty hangers. Once I've washed and folded, I'd stack it neatly in their baskets and they would put it away. I fold it on my bed so that I can easily put mine and DH's away.

 

[southern_redhead]

That's what kids are for!

Amen to that! As I wash/dry the clothes I fold them and put them in stacks (one per person) and the two oldest are responsible for putting theirs away. The youngest is still too short to reach his closet rod but his day is coming!

Last summer we spent a couple of months away from home and our apartment didn't have a washer/dryer. The laundromat I went to had a wash and fold service - I didn't use it though because I am VERY picky about my laundry and I noticed they didn't separate colors or do towels separately. Also, it appeared you had to supply your own detergent or leave them the extra money to buy the small packs from their vending machine. I noticed they used waaay more detergent than I do. Also, some things I hung to dry and they didn't do that. Sitting at the laundromat for 2-3 hours each weekend stunk but getting back ruined laundry would have stunk worse. However, if you have a wash and fold that DOES do all of the above, and it works for you, then I say money well spent.

 

[rockundergirl]

The cost estimates sound very high. $5 in water would be a third of my family of four's total water bill. $15 in detergent would do nearly a hundred loads if you buy the detergent on sale (which it seems to always be).

10 hours of time sounds like a lot, but I walk by and throw in a load which takes a couple of minutes. I hang a lot of things, so it takes maybe 5 - 10 minutes to hang them up and put the rest in the dryer. Maybe 10 minutes to fold a load. I'm not sure I could capture those minutes and do anything with them that would give me a lot of pleasure. I try to do a load or two in the evening so it doesn't pile up for the weekend.

Of course, it's your money and you should spend it however you please. It just wouldn't be my choice. I'd rather use it for something more lasting than clean clothes.

Sheila

I hear you , maybe my estimates are high? Not sure I don't know how to tell how much water is used per load. etc. I guess what it really comes down to is time. I work a 50 hour week most weeks, and own my own business on the side that takes up another 10-15. I also do karate, and a lot for the PTA. I like to spend my weekends doing out of the house stuff with my son/ boyfriend. When I say 10 hours, I realize that I can do other stuff while i wait for the dryer to finish etc.. but I'm tied to it so its not really free time KWIM?

 

[girli565]

For me it is worth the money when I don't have the time to do it myself. I don't do it everyweek but I take advantage of it when I'm overwhelmed with work either from my job or at home. I like to spend my free time with my husband (he's a paramedic and works odd hours and overnight shifts so he's never home) when he's home and not take that time to do laundry or housework.

 

[Ladyhawke]

I used a service a couple times. I never thought they got the clothes as clean as I do at home. They don't put all the additives or as much soap in as I do.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

That's what kids are for!

I dislike most housework, despise grocery shopping, but actually almost enjoy laundry except for the putting it up. From the time my kids were 4, they were resposible for getting their laundry to me along with their empty hangers. Once I've washed and folded, I'd stack it neatly in their baskets and they would put it away. I fold it on my bed so that I can easily put mine and DH's away.

Thank you, you have inspired me to go out and buy a laundry basket for each child. The kids put their own laundry away when I ask them to but I usually just do it myself because when I have it all stacked together in the big family baskets the younger ones tend to make a mess of everything.
Now if I could just cut down on the laundry! Everyone has school/work clothes, at-home clothes, and sports uniforms!

 

[swilshire]

Thank you, you have inspired me to go out and buy a laundry basket for each child. The kids put their own laundry away when I ask them to but I usually just do it myself because when I have it all stacked together in the big family baskets the younger ones tend to make a mess of everything.
Now if I could just cut down on the laundry! Everyone has school/work clothes, at-home clothes, and sports uniforms!

When we built our house, I had baskets for each of the kids installed for their clean clothes. They are in racks, two on each side of my counter. Very large. Came from Home Depot's closet design center. They put up the clothes and then bring back the square plastic covered wire basket.

Sheila