Welcome to the eighth installment of Tidy Thursday! Here at VolunteerSpot, we’re committed to simplifying the busy lives of parents, teachers and active volunteers. Along that theme, we’re pleased to support your personal efforts in getting organized and gaining quality time and present guest organization expert April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach! Today, April tackles the truly never-ending chore, laundry. The mystery of the matchless socks may never be solved, but April can help you make this thankless task go by quicker with the right mix of organization and humor. Thanks, April!
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Laundry
By April Welch
Laundry ... {{uuggghhhh}}
I have to be honest with you, this is my 3rd attempt at writing this post.
Why? I’m not sure.
I help clients with creating systems for their laundry in almost every job. For some reason, I’m struggling this week.
I’m sharing my little disclaimer due to the fact that, I think this is how many folks feel when it comes to the act of doing their laundry.
If it’s not the bottomless pile, then maybe its the mountain of unmatched socks you know you’ll be contributing to by the end of your task {great video by Jenny On The Spot about that}
So, I’ve decided to format this week’s post in tips you can glean from and implement into your own lifestyle ...
Tidy Tips:
- Provide 2 baskets for kids ~ one a light color & one a dark color
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- teach them to not only put their clothes in them, but to separate as they drop them in
- Do laundry based on person or purpose first, then by loads
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- All of Johnny’s laundry is completed, now on to the linens
- Consider establishing a day of the week for person or purpose
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- If your schedule allows, assign Susie washer/dryer privileges one day & Linens another day
- Teach kiddos how to do laundry on their own
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- I know machines are costly & parents don’t want to let their 6 year old near them, but many steps can be done by youngsters ~ checking pockets, putting the clothes in the machine, changing from washer to dryer, pulling the clothes out of the dryer
- Remember, you’re not done until everything is returned to where it belongs
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- washing & drying are only 1/2 the job, folding & putting away are the completion
- Choose to make time for the task
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- I know schedules can be hectic, throw a load in before you leave for your day of volunteering & change to the dryer once you’re home
- Have a Laundry Folding party
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- if you’re too busy to fold & put away, run loads all week ~ then when everyone is home put all the clean laundry in one spot & everyone pitches in to help fold {this is when we get caught up on our DVR recordings}
- Ask for help
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- I’ve had clients who trade with friends or neighbors, one does all the laundry for both homes & the other does all the floor mopping
No matter which tips you “try on” in your home the question you’ll want to answer is
“where is the end”
Having signals or benchmarks help establish accomplishments {like getting all of Johnny’s loads done} and are a great way to eliminate the feeling of the “never ending chore”.
As for getting started when you’re faced with an overwhelming amount of laundry:
“start with what you know”
This is my mantra for clients. What does this mean exactly?
- Take a look around.
- What decisions can you make without any delay?
- Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know, right now.”
I’ve posted a webisode over on The Mental Clutter Coach that shows {in my own home} the ins & outs of tackling that “catch all” spot.
Just remember, once you have separated all the miscellaneous piles, sorted the loads, made it to the bottom of the laundry baskets & your home is smelling fresh ... it will only take a few hours for the process to begin all over again!
Catch me right here next week when I take all you’ve learned so far & implement it into “Getting caught up after vacation”!
Keepin' it Tidy,
April
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April Welch, CPO© is a Certified Professional Organizer residing in Central Washington State with her husband & two children and has been instinctively organizing most of her adult life.
While her philosophies are centered on how individuals are ‘wired’ she believes in providing a fun and educational environment with simple solutions to all organizing dilemmas. She offers live workshops, virtual organizing, tele-classes, habit assessments, public speaking, a radio show online and most recently Mental Clutter Coaching. April is the Franklin Covey® Family Organizing Guru & the Spokesperson for ListPlanIt.com April can be found on: Facebook and Twitter
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