How To Take The Fuss Out Of Laundry And Washing

The washing needs doing whether you live alone, or have a big family. So, until disposable clothing becomes the norm, take the fuss out of this everyday chore by Streamlining, Organising and Sorting. And send out an SOS to everyone else in the house to help.

Streamline the washing

* Hang up clothes which aren’t dirty, and can be worn again. Clothes which end up in a crumpled heap on the floor will find their way to the wash basket, even if it wasn’t necessary.

* Be selective about the clothes you buy. Check out the label for washing instructions before making a purchase. If hand wash only items end up buried at the bottom of the wash basket because you’re short on time, bypass them in favour of choices that can be machine washed.

* Kids swimming everyday in summer, and it all ends up in the laundry? Rinse togs in cold water, and hang togs and towels out to dry straight away, without going through a full wash. Buy distinctive beach towels for easy identification.

Organise laundry equipment

* If you’re in the habit of throwing your washing in the tumble dryer, consider investing in an in or outdoor clothes line. These days there are designs on the market to suit every living situation and budget, no matter how cramped you are for space. Covers are also available in case it rains. Not only is natural air drying eco friendly, but you can cut your power bill.

*Get into the habit of looking after your clothes. Organise supplies to keep by the washing machine like pre-wash stain removers, and a sewing kit. Then, if you notice a mark or a loose button it’s easily fixed. It saves time in the long run - older stains are harder to shift than fresh ones, and there’ll be no need to trawl the shops trying to match up that button.

* Organise a wash basket for each member of the household, for freshly laundered clothes. Identify by colour, or choose inexpensive wicker baskets and attach cardboard luggage labels with each person’s name on, for a natural look.

Sort at every stage

* Consider having different laundry baskets in a shared area, so that dirty clothes can be sorted as they’re discarded: whites, coloureds, and delicates. If you get into the routine it’s not that hard (think of rubbish recycling) and will save time.

* Sort washing as soon as it’s dry. As you take it out of the tumble dryer or off the washing line, smooth and fold or hang up, and reduce the need for ironing.

* Once you’ve streamlined your ironing, organise some hangers, place those labelled baskets near you, and sort each item as you iron it, ready to be put away.

Wouldn’t you like to be rescued from the laundry so you can do something else with your time?