Most Australians spend more than 384 days over their lifetime doing laundry. Add in children to the household and this number could be even more. As a parent, staying on top of the laundry game might seem like an eternal quest, especially for large families or busy new parents faced with leaky diapers and baby vomit. But fear not, weary parents, here we’ll unveil the secrets to conquering the laundry chaos in your home while unlocking the power of maximising outfits and banishing stubborn stains.
How to keep a grip on your family’s laundry
Staying on top of your family’s laundry requires good organisation and rhythm. Start by centralising laundry baskets for quick and easy collection, using separate baskets for whites, colours, or individual family members. Begin loading the washing machine with larger items like sheets and towels to make the task seem more manageable. Start early in the day to give yourself a head start, saving folding for later if needed. Hang clothes directly after drying to prevent wrinkles and avoid the need to iron, while designating a basket for stained clothes and uniforms will help ensure important items get priority.
Keep your laundry smelling fresh
Over time, fabric fibres, hard water deposits and detergent residue can accumulate in your washing machine, affecting its performance and causing your laundry to smell. Taking the time to regularly clean your machine with a washing machine cleaner and descaler will dissolve buildup and prevent blockages and bad odours. When you have a clean washing machine, you don’t have to worry about your machine’s performance and your laundry always smells wonderfully clean and fresh. To give your clothes an extra boost of freshness, line-dry your laundry whenever possible or tuck a sachet of dried lavender in your drawers. To ensure the safety and well-being of your family, it’s essential to be aware of potential hazards in everyday products. Learn more about the toxicity of laundry detergents and explore safer alternatives with insights from Clean People in this informative resource
Tackling stains effectively
When you have children, stains on clothes are hard to avoid. However, rather than throw the clothes away or leave them at the bottom of the laundry basket, there are several effective ways to reclaim your garments from the clutches of stubborn spills. The key to effectively tackling stains is to act quickly. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. While there are various stain remover products on the market you can buy, baking soda, vinegar and even dish soap can work just as well at removing even stubborn stains from clothes. For delicate fabrics, perform a spot test before applying any stain remover and be sure to blot the stain rather than rub it to prevent it from spreading.
Maximising your family’s clothes
To prolong the life of your family’s clothes, even in-between washes, rotate outfits to distribute wear and reduce strain on individual items evenly. You can also use layers and accessories to create different looks from the same outfits. Spot cleaning minor stains as soon as you see them can help avoid unnecessary washing while hanging or folding clothes after each wear will help maintain their shape and freshness. When shopping for new clothes, try to opt for quality over quantity whenever possible and encourage your family to handle their clothes gently to minimise wear and tear.
Keeping on top of your family’s laundry doesn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming or stressful. With some forward planning, organisation and cooperation from all the family, you can conquer the laundry challenge with relative ease and look forward to enjoying clean and fresh-smelling clothes.
