Teaching Them To Separate the Laundry

Let me start off by saying, "I don't like doing laundry." It's mindless and, like dishes, it is done daily. That is my life. So now and again, I try to come up with new ideas to make my life easier. I mean, come on, aren't we all?

With that said...

It occurred to me last week that all of my kids were old enough to separate laundry, even my two four year olds. They know what is white and what has color in it. I figured it was about time to make my life that much easier. So, I took out the big laundry basket under the desk and replaced it with two trash cans that I had NOT been using downstairs for the same purpose. (And yes, I do not separate dark and color clothes, deal with it)

I am happy to say that it has worked like a charm. The cool thing is one full bucket DOES equal one full load. It's nice and easy to ask the older ones to carry down a full basket and dump it in the washer. I think I may even type up an instruction sheet on the wall so they can start the laundry themselves without having to ask me ANY questions. (If I do, I'll post later!}

So there you go. The latest thing I'm doing to make my life and laundry just a little bit easier! Do you have any ideas for me? I know I could use all the help I could get!!!

Comments

[Kathy Drewien]

My husband does the laundry. But, my daughter is grown and I take care of my own. Just a glimpse into the future.

[johnT]

Thanks to my mighty Mom, Jane - I've been doing my own laundry since grade 6 or 7. Among other things, this has meant I've taught the same skill to more than several clueless Dorm-mates along the way! I'll never forget this one clueless preppy kid who turned all of his pastel Izods into one uniform color & was frightened to try doing laundry again. Ha! & yes- I'm totally down w/ the whites & not whites concept.

[Jane]

If you are interested in only using organic detergents this might not be of interest to you--but there is a product now, put out by Shout and in my store it is on the Shout shelf, that "grabs" the color that might jump from one garment to another. It is a sheet that is placed in the washer. So, perhaps, sorting will become a thing of the past. I haven't used it--but my beautician, who knows all says it's good. I do, however, sort blacks from other nonwhites (oh, that doesn't sound so good) and I use a product from Woolite made especially for the darks so they don't fade as much. I am the above mentioned Mighty Mom. As a matter of fact, I like that title. I think I'll take it as mine to use.

[Kelsey]

My mother had us girls doing our own laundry as soon as she thought we were responsible enough - about 9th grade. We were responsible for sorting our own laundry and washing and drying it. Once high school hit for me, the youngest, she only did her and my dad's laundry, we each did our own. The only time she did our laundry for us were the nights we had to work (and we had to ask in advance, sort it, and bring it down for her!) I think your high schooler could probably handle that! Having three girls, it actually prevented fights over clothing. I'm sure every mother has accidentally put someone's clothing in the wrong pile! With three teenage girls, it could get ugly!

[Rebecca Sullivan]

Sure, kids can easily do the laundry from age 10 or 11. Has anyone considered hanging the clothes to dry, rather than throwing them in the drier? It takes a little longer, but saves TONS of energy (and money), and many of us have plenty of space in the laundry room (or outside when the weather's good!). Seems like such a shame to waste all that electricity on something that can be done in the air. For free. And I find it's quite a pleasant, meditative activity, myself
: )

[Heather]

Great idea! I am stealing it!